I am removing the water pump on my 2000 5,7 stock ls1. I need to change the ac compressor

looking at Napa auto all of the pumps they show are counter clockwise rotation. should I get an ls1 pump or a pump with a removable thermo housing?

 

I hesitate to answer a question that requires knowledge of the correct rotational direction of the water pump, but I certainly wouldn't change from stock unless I had a problem the stock designs wouldn't address.

I was given advice from corvette pros at the Petersen car museum corvette day, to always stay with stock parts unless cost is an issue. Of course, these guys were restoration experts, so one would expect they would recommend OEM parts, but I found the advice sound. in future service, you are not looking at some wild *** part from who knows where or why, just GM parts that fit and work as though designed into the original systems. of course, some parts are superior to OEM, but not often. Most replacement parts are sold because they cost less than OEM, but a new one is offered if the part fails.

unless the removable thermo housing solves some problem, it is just another possible leak that serves no purpose for your needs.

Another consideration forming my opinion was a garage I used, J and D corvette, would offer no warrantees on any work with parts that were not GM parts. Knowing that bring backs are the principle profit killers on service work, this tells me they don't want to screw around with anything close to a questionable part. I know Napa has good parts, but also developed a lesser line to compete with pep boys and such, because of the lower price points needed to sell parts to price sensitive garages.

 

When I had my HB replaced last fall, I asked my go to vette mechanic about OEM GM vs aftermarket. He usually only puts on OEM parts UNLESS there is significant proof that the aftermarket is better. He said the ATI was more expensive but much more unlikely to fail again during my ownership. I selected the ATI HB.