FUEL INJECTOR HAVING SIDE-FITTED FUEL CONNECTOR FOR TIGHT PACKAGING IN TOP-FEED FUEL SYSTEM

A fuel injector includes an injector housing having a fuel connector, and an outer housing surface extending around a longitudinal axis of the injector housing. The outer housing surface includes a cylindrical upper section, a cylindrical lower section, and a middle section. The fuel connector defines a connector axis oriented normal to a longitudinal axis of the injector housing and extending between a first connector end attached to the middle section, and a terminal connector end radially outward of the outer housing surface and having therein a fuel inlet. The fuel connector includes an outer connector surface having an unthreaded base section, and an externally threaded end section adjacent to the terminal connector end.