Electric Water Pumps. Thoughts? Experience? Advice?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 155
Likes: 15
Electric Water Pumps. Thoughts? Experience? Advice?
How 'bout dem electric water pumps!
Are they reliable? What goes in place of the missing water pump pulley... new belt? Would it be better to just get a nice polished, chromed, powder coated, painted, new, heavy duty, high volume, conventional water pump?
John
Are they reliable? What goes in place of the missing water pump pulley... new belt? Would it be better to just get a nice polished, chromed, powder coated, painted, new, heavy duty, high volume, conventional water pump?
John
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
Yes, I would. I'm not sure you why you would want one? Your belt systems will really become a hassle.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 155
Likes: 15
Pro
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 609
Likes: 22
From: Milton Florida
St. Jude Donor '16
I did one on my 96, but since it has the LT1 I didn't have any issues with belts since the pump is driven off of the cam. I have been happy with mine, used the car at a few teack events and haven't had any issues with it there or on the street. It does make coolant changes on the LT1 easier because it is easier to purge the air out of the system with the electric pump. That being said, I think it was about $200 to do the change on mine.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 17
From: woodbury new jersey
Iv had the meizere electric pump on my 94 for about 7 or 8 years now. Makes bleeding the coolant easy. Also if the car is shut off I can turn the pump on to help it cool down faster. Iv never tracked my car before, but the pump seems to do just fine sitting in traffic. I’m sure the stock pump would do the same though
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,685
Likes: 753
From: NEwhere Ohio
Not reliable / not good for road racing.’maybe’ only good for drag racing
the stock pump has the nice linear output you need.
where these electric pumps flow like 35 gpm at all rpms, your stock one flows like 100 gpm at 6000 rpm - which is when you need the cooling the most.
ive seen so many stories about corroded wires, unsuspected issues, bad relays, etc. causing it to stop working on the street, with head damage as a result.
and being able to use a double roller chain is a moot point because i was able to use a clotes lt4 extreme duty timing chain (designed to work with stock lt1/4 waterpump) which handles high spring pressures fine.!
the stock pump has the nice linear output you need.
where these electric pumps flow like 35 gpm at all rpms, your stock one flows like 100 gpm at 6000 rpm - which is when you need the cooling the most.
ive seen so many stories about corroded wires, unsuspected issues, bad relays, etc. causing it to stop working on the street, with head damage as a result.
and being able to use a double roller chain is a moot point because i was able to use a clotes lt4 extreme duty timing chain (designed to work with stock lt1/4 waterpump) which handles high spring pressures fine.!
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 155
Likes: 15
Not reliable / not good for road racing.’maybe’ only good for drag racing
the stock pump has the nice linear output you need.
where these electric pumps flow like 35 gpm at all rpms, your stock one flows like 100 gpm at 6000 rpm - which is when you need the cooling the most.
ive seen so many stories about corroded wires, unsuspected issues, bad relays, etc. causing it to stop working on the street, with head damage as a result.
and being able to use a double roller chain is a moot point because i was able to use a clotes lt4 extreme duty timing chain (designed to work with stock lt1/4 waterpump) which handles high spring pressures fine.!
the stock pump has the nice linear output you need.
where these electric pumps flow like 35 gpm at all rpms, your stock one flows like 100 gpm at 6000 rpm - which is when you need the cooling the most.
ive seen so many stories about corroded wires, unsuspected issues, bad relays, etc. causing it to stop working on the street, with head damage as a result.
and being able to use a double roller chain is a moot point because i was able to use a clotes lt4 extreme duty timing chain (designed to work with stock lt1/4 waterpump) which handles high spring pressures fine.!
john
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 491
Likes: 40
From: Mardi Gras City
St. Jude Donor '19
Not reliable / not good for road racing.’maybe’ only good for drag racing
the stock pump has the nice linear output you need.
where these electric pumps flow like 35 gpm at all rpms, your stock one flows like 100 gpm at 6000 rpm - which is when you need the cooling the most.
ive seen so many stories about corroded wires, unsuspected issues, bad relays, etc. causing it to stop working on the street, with head damage as a result.
and being able to use a double roller chain is a moot point because i was able to use a clotes lt4 extreme duty timing chain (designed to work with stock lt1/4 waterpump) which handles high spring pressures fine.!
the stock pump has the nice linear output you need.
where these electric pumps flow like 35 gpm at all rpms, your stock one flows like 100 gpm at 6000 rpm - which is when you need the cooling the most.
ive seen so many stories about corroded wires, unsuspected issues, bad relays, etc. causing it to stop working on the street, with head damage as a result.
and being able to use a double roller chain is a moot point because i was able to use a clotes lt4 extreme duty timing chain (designed to work with stock lt1/4 waterpump) which handles high spring pressures fine.!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,685
Likes: 753
From: NEwhere Ohio
oh yeah, and a warranty for if water pump (or the wiring) goes out / you toast your engine they pay for it.
i had a high beam fuse get corrosion around the legs and that caused it not to work.it was easily cleaned /fixed , but still could you imagine if that was an even more critical component like a water pump/ toast an engine and $1000’s in repairs. No thanks not worth it.
ive seen posts where it happened here (to c4 owners) during the 17 yrs ive been a member here.
i feel the ‘wiring’ or ‘relay’ has been the culprit vs the water pump itself....so if you must do it, keep that in mind !
Last edited by dizwiz24; Sep 6, 2018 at 09:02 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,495
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
I guess the question we need to ask is "What am I trying to achieve?". Are you willing to wire up ECM controls to ensure the pump operates at the point that is most efficient? IF all you are doing is turning it on when the car runs, you are actually cooling it unnecessarily since it needs to build up heat to function in the range it is supposed to be at based on the build. They are not as powerful but they take less mechanical energy which leads to pollution, higher HP numbers, etc, etc.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 491
Likes: 40
From: Mardi Gras City
St. Jude Donor '19
yeah, they prob have ecm safeguards, limp home modes and higher quality oem relays/ parts then what the aftermarket provides for us.
oh yeah, and a warranty for if water pump (or the wiring) goes out / you toast your engine they pay for it.
i had a high beam fuse get corrosion around the legs and that caused it not to work.it was easily cleaned /fixed , but still could you imagine if that was an even more critical component like a water pump/ toast an engine and $1000’s in repairs. No thanks not worth it.
ive seen posts where it happened here (to c4 owners) during the 17 yrs ive been a member here.
i feel the ‘wiring’ or ‘relay’ has been the culprit vs the water pump itself....so if you must do it, keep that in mind !
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,495
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
10 HP is at WOT and depending upon the setup. It comes with the price of lesser cooling at points.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
I've had a Mez electric pump in my LT1 for over 10 years now. Used to race it (but got too expensive). Still works just fine. If you are worried about a failure that will destroy your engine, don't you guys ever watch your temp gauge or do you just wait for an idiot light that might burn out? Worthy of note, there is a big difference between your L98? and an LT1.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,495
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
If you are OK with rigging up a timer for when you shut down like some diesel people it could be interesting Not sure what the street application would be be but I can see it on the track
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
I haven't seen any high-flow ones out there. Have you found any? A new water pump is in my future too, and like I said...I talked myself out of going electric. Seems a great idea for a track car, between runs etc., but for my street car, I just kinda place my trust more in a mechanical one. Just my opinion, with no actual electric pump experience.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
Likes: 68
The electric is constant flow (like the 35 gpm). Not sure of the current draw to equate to power drawn (unless at track you disconnect the alternator).
The mechanical water pump is a centrifugal. When doing no work (like at idle) draws virtually no power. But it also flows less at idle than the electric. The mechanical flows a LOT more at 6K engine so it is better to control detonation if talking a blower. But it also draws a LOT of power @ WOT !!! So if you do not need the high flow at high RPM the electric will save you some HP.
If worried about overheating at idle with A/C on a hot day doubt the electric will fix you up - the Vettes' problem is almost always airflow related !!!
However, you can always add the in-line electric to your mechanical and have the best of both worlds !!!
Last edited by BlowerWorks; Sep 11, 2018 at 12:22 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,478
Likes: 254
From: Downers Grove Illinois
I haven't seen any high-flow ones out there. Have you found any? A new water pump is in my future too, and like I said...I talked myself out of going electric. Seems a great idea for a track car, between runs etc., but for my street car, I just kinda place my trust more in a mechanical one. Just my opinion, with no actual electric pump experience.