How many of you are running electic water pumps on the street? How well do they hold up? How long do they last? When they do go, how much of a bitch are they to change, and does the whole pump need to be removed? I know it does for the initial install, which is no problem at all, but if it's something I may have to do every year or less I think I'll pay extra for the LT4 ED timing set and keep the gear driven pump. I want to switch to a double roller setup, is there ANY way to keep a stock type pump with something like the cloyes or the combination motorsports timing sets? Thanks!

 

I havent had a problem with mine.....it has about 100 hrs on it . As far as changing it goes when you need too, you could it do it in 20 min. or so. All you would need to do is take the unit off the fount of the housing and put the one new in....very easy.

 

They are supposed to have a life of about 2000 hrs.If you drive 2hrs a day that would be 2 3/4 years. My stocker dumped at 50k. Would be much easier to change on the side of the road if you carried a spare one. Alot of people recomend that you use an indicator light to show when it is running as a stock pump will usually give you some warning by leaking, noise etc. before totaly going out.

 

Sounds good... how would I wire up a warning light for it? Thanks guys!

 

I always believed that electric pumps should be used on cars that see more track time than street usage being that that electric pump only turns at 1 speed and can't keep up with the demands of extended motor usage.

 

Not true in my case....cools just as well as the stocker on hot summer days in Atlanta traffic. I do have the ability to switch on my fans manually also.

 

Add a 160 thermostat and it won't be bad at all with or without the manaul fan mod. On the Hwy. speeds between 55-90 mine stays between 160-180. In traffic it'll still heat up to 210+ just like the stock pump does. I've been pretty satisfied with mine so far.

 

I don't understand why people think this. Sure at high RPM, the mechanical pump COULD outflow the electric one, since it spins faster as engine speeds increase. The problem is that engines almost never need that added flow. As long as there is adequate radiator capacity and airflow, the pump flows too much. That is why there is a thermostat. Otherwise, the engine would never heat up.

When the thermostat is closed, the increased pump speeds at higher RPM do absolutely nothing but sap horsepower. There is no added flow because the water has nowhere to go. The added pressure the pump creates may also be detrimental to seals and hoses. In any case, most engines don't spend a lot of time at high RPM.

The only real issue is as everyone pointed out the problem of a pump failure. Back in the days of belt-driven pumps, this was just as much of a problem. Break a belt, and you're just as stranded. A friend's LT1 mechanical water pump failed recently, and he had to call a tow truck just the same.

So, I have a warning light that goes from green to red when there is no power at the pump. I could also put in a buzzer or something to really get my attention.

BRAD

 

I would have to say that an Elec. WP on a street car, not a good idea. Especially if you ever do any long trips. A buddy of mine went Down south and drive his car with the Elec. WP and for some reason it failed and being stuck in the middle of know where and having converted to the new setup he had to have his car towed all the way home. I know it seems a lil' dramatic but he couldn't just get a new pump since the dowel to drive it was now gone and he didn't have access to a new Elec. unit so he was screwed. Just my 2 cents but I'll tell ya that made me not go with the Elec.

 

If I go on a long trip, I'll just bring an extra elec. pump with me and a gallon or two of coolant just to be on the safe side.

 

And how many mechanics are gonna have a stock lt-1 pump in stock ? Your gonna be towed and waiting either way it goes.

The statement that the electric pump isn't for a street car is completely lacking truth. My CSI pump flows 30 gpm. Thats alot of coolant moving ! When your running 2 grand at 65mph, your not even moving that much coolant with the stock driven unit. Granted at 6 grand your gonna be pushing more coolant, but who the hell drives there car at 6 grand all day long ? I can sit at idle and turn one fan on and it will drop temp until the thermo almost closes.

Had it for 2 years and counting with no problems.

-Shannon

 

I've got about 15000 miles on my electric waterpump. Alot of traffic and quite a bit of road trips. No failures yet and the car always runs nice and cool, even in summer traffic. The problem is getting it to stay warm when the weather is cold