waterpump
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
waterpump
hey fellows, any way short story short. my opti is going out so i bought msd everything (opti, coil, plugwires) my ole man got laid off which he worked at a gm dealership so there goes my at cost gm parts. like the title says which water pump should i go with? stay with the gm? cause i dont like the idea of a cheap p.o.s. riding over my $$$$ msd opti. but is there one i can get that is as good or better for a smaller price? i thank you in advance for any and all post.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 618
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville FL
I'm replacing my water pump for my L98. Lifetime warranty coated me only $60 bucks. I'm not sure what an LT1 will cost, but I looked on line at the parts store and got a good idea on how much my would run for. Hope the idea helps.
Blame.
Blame.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land, TX (suburban Houston area) U.S.A.
St. Jude Donor '09, '13
the seal on the water pump is what fails & causes leaks...the seal design whether from GM's OEM pump or aftermarket pump out of China is same design, etc...chances of GM or aftermarket pump having a leak are about the same (I am in the pump industry...not just a randome comment)...go cheap on the water pump & don't worry!
Spend the $$ saved on something fun for the car!
Spend the $$ saved on something fun for the car!
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land, TX (suburban Houston area) U.S.A.
St. Jude Donor '09, '13
actually, to add to my post, same goes for bearings on OEM vs aftermarket...bearings failing lead to seal failure as well, but hard for any supplier to screw up bearings no matter who manufactures them so again no worries on cheap pump
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Hi,
My pump just went out also.
Picked one up at O'Reilys for $110 + tax.
Got it in 2 days.
Has a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
If not already installed a vaccuum harness kit from GM (~$20) on your distributor cap and rotor.
No more/less worries of moisture/coolant entering the inside of your distributor.
My pump lasted 75k miles with no damage to the Opti-Spark.
Good Luck!
92WhiteVetteGuy
My pump just went out also.
Picked one up at O'Reilys for $110 + tax.
Got it in 2 days.
Has a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
If not already installed a vaccuum harness kit from GM (~$20) on your distributor cap and rotor.
No more/less worries of moisture/coolant entering the inside of your distributor.
My pump lasted 75k miles with no damage to the Opti-Spark.
Good Luck!
92WhiteVetteGuy
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: North West PA
I went with the electric water pump from Summit Racing when I did my last opti. This was my second opti replacement, both caused by leaking water pump. With the electric, I don't believe I'll have that particular problem again, since part of the install is driving in the freeze plug that blocks off the weep hole in the stock housing. Coupled with the 160* thermostat, my cruising temps are around 177-180*, and my in traffic temps are about the same as they were with the mechanical and stock thermostat. Was an easy install, and not that hard on the wallet. I've got several 150+ mile trips on it now, as well as daily driving to and from work with zero complaints. Which ever you do, good luck!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 4
From: Argillite KY
As the owner of a 1995 Impala and a 1995 Vette I know about water pumps and opti's. When you get your waterpump, drill out and tap the weep hole for a 1/8" barbed hose fitting and screw it in there. I take some clear plastic tubing....slide it over the barbed fitting and route it out of the way of the opti. If the WP ever leaks the water goes on the ground. Problem solved!
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 18
From: St. Peters MO
I agree on the lower cost one here. Zip Products sells one, I have one on my car, for only $109, it does come with gaskets, so don't buy extra gaskets. It is BRAND NEW
Zip Water Pump
The 92 year is same price, different part number.....I don't know what year your car is?
You may need other stuff from them at the same time anyway, like a thermostat, or, hoses
Zip Water Pump
The 92 year is same price, different part number.....I don't know what year your car is?
You may need other stuff from them at the same time anyway, like a thermostat, or, hoses
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
As the owner of a 1995 Impala and a 1995 Vette I know about water pumps and opti's. When you get your waterpump, drill out and tap the weep hole for a 1/8" barbed hose fitting and screw it in there. I take some clear plastic tubing....slide it over the barbed fitting and route it out of the way of the opti. If the WP ever leaks the water goes on the ground. Problem solved!
I didn't do this when I replaced mine, but wish that I had. If you use a clear hose, you should be able to see if there is any coolant in it and get some warning that the pump is on its way out.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
thank you guys for the advice, guess i will hit up the autozone and checkers, ya here in tucson at a gm dealership they priced me $398.00 and thats with my military discount, so that will be an extra almost 300 bucks in my pocket. i guess i can put that to my cambered exhaust catback fund. and tanks again
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Jake
