Water Pump Choices
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Water Pump Choices
I’m trying to decide which water pump to get. Mine is still OK, but plan to go through the cooling/pulley/belts soon…. PLEASE CHIME IN 
Choices are:
Tuff Stuff - $268 @ Summit (made in USA)
ACDelco OEM - $250 (made in Mexico)
GM PP - $167 @ Summit ( made ???)
ACDelco Professional $100 @ Rock Auto (made in who knows where Asia)
Gates - $90 @ Rock Auto (made in China)
Choices are:
Tuff Stuff - $268 @ Summit (made in USA)
ACDelco OEM - $250 (made in Mexico)
GM PP - $167 @ Summit ( made ???)
ACDelco Professional $100 @ Rock Auto (made in who knows where Asia)
Gates - $90 @ Rock Auto (made in China)
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Florida
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 316
From: USA
I've ran both the Delco professional and OEM. Professional worked fine, until I went to bolt a supercharger on and alignment was off a little bit with it, was better with OEM. But other than that, the professional series worked well, no issues or disadvantaged noted.
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,068
Likes: 7,387
From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I would run the factory pump until it dies.
It's six bolts and really pretty easy to change.
and then I would follow Stingers advice.
I am still running my factory 97 pump and it's been in and out of the car twice.
It's six bolts and really pretty easy to change.
and then I would follow Stingers advice.
I am still running my factory 97 pump and it's been in and out of the car twice.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 124
Likes: 93
It's the professional, 252-846. The website said not available, but Autozone ordered direct from the factory. I'm still trying to hunt up the idlers and hoses. Every complete kit is silicone, which I considered, but I think I will stay with OEM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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I got all the idlers, pulleys, and belts on Amazon. You won’t find a OEM kit with all the hoses, but you can get them all.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,996
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From: Hilton NY
I went with the NAPA $170 pump due to its design, it uses an aluminum bolt on back instead of a pressed in steel plate which can leak and rust.
Here's the NAPA on the left and the old GM on the right, the rusted area is where the coolant was leaking.
Here's the NAPA on the left and the old GM on the right, the rusted area is where the coolant was leaking.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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From: Florida
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Looks like a good design improvement.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 324
From: Mid Ohio
Once upon a time I was a OEM WP design engineer
If the original *doesn't* show evidence of dripping / flow down from the weep hole AND the bearing feels smooth w/o end play or radial play... just reuse. Any of those three through... replace it.
If the original *doesn't* show evidence of dripping / flow down from the weep hole AND the bearing feels smooth w/o end play or radial play... just reuse. Any of those three through... replace it.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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From: Florida
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If I should need a replacement, which of my examples would you recommend?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Florida
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I do not always…insist on the best part, but I do want an excellent part in any case.
Aside from the warranty aspect, which of the pumps I listed would you select?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Thank you!