Electric Water Pumps

[LodiWino]

Has there been any problems with electric water pumps on street use motors?

[undy]

I personally woulnd't use them for street as I don't think they move enough GPM for a daily driver. Our Cobras typically are on the ragged edge of overheating and I think an electric water pump would be adding fuel to the fire.

Does anyone have any hard facts on GPM flows on electric in comparison to belt drive water pumps?

Dave

[COBRA427]

After reading other forums regarding electric pumps, the concensus is, on the street, that's where they shine, they are great because even in stop and go traffic and lots of idling, the e-pump is circulating enough water to keep the motor cool. BUT, on a road course enviornment, with constant rpms 4000 and higher, the mechanical pump will pump more gallons per minute, around 100+gal/min vs e-pump at 55gal/min.
I have a new LS7 and I bought a Mezeire e-pump for it, but the car's not running yet, and since I plan to track it, I'm probably going to replace it with the stock pump or get an Evans, which is suppose to be about 20% more efficient than a stock one.

[xlr8or]

If you have Lucas electronics in your car do you want to trust keeping your engine cool to the Lucas switch?

[trularin]

If you are trying to make sure you do not taxi the electrical any more than you have to, you can put in a thermal switch in the block that kicks the pump on and off as required to maintain a temperature. I highly recommend a 30Amp or better relay to control the water pump with an over ride switch that forces it on all the time.

[RICK LAKE]

LodiWino Why would you want too?? Unless you have a crazy motor in the car and looking for every last HP and RPM out of it, It's not worth it. The Edelbrock pump works just fine with the right, ratio between crank shaft and waterpump, thermostat temp rating, and which Radiator you are running in the car. I started with the copper one and now run the aluminium ERA one. I have no heating problems after racing for 20 minutes with a 180 thermostat from dodge. Rick L. If you go with electric you better may sure you have the charging system and battery to handle the extra 15-25 amp drain. A 30 or 40 relay for this pump. A dual position switch for running off a temp switch or bypass to flow all the time. There is about 1,000 hour limit to most these pumps before a rebuild of the motor or pump. 1/4 mile cars use them, unless you want to be different. You will need about 60 amps at idle to power your lights, cooling fans, (1,2,or3) Ignition system if and MSD is a biggie, and to keep the battery fully charged. A 100-120 amp alt will be needed.

[Jerry Clayton]

An electric water pump for anything other than a drag car is a failure waiting to happen---

[Slick61]

you can argue both sides. I run an electric water pump & I'm very happy with it. For starters, it looks trick. It also cleans up the engine compartment (only run a single belt for alternator). I may be mistaken, but I thought flow was BETTER at idle (i.e. at stoplights) with an electric. I also have an override switch on my water pump & fans, so that I can cool the engine down after I shut it off (a plus with an aluminum block). But... if it ever goes bad, you better be paying attention. I don't know that the incidence of failure is any higher with an electric or not. I just make it a habit to constantly scan the temp gauge & the oil pressure.

[diegokid]

GM has been using them for years on various cars. It works fine, my cousin has a 1995 Impala SS with one. 165,000 miles and it still works fine.

[LodiWino]

What size alternator are you using with an electric water pump?

[COBRA427]

trularin: An electric pump must CONSTANTLY operate while the engine is running....period. T-stats control temps, not pumps.

Rick Lake: amp draw is not that high, about 6-9 amps, and the electric motor is said to last 2500-3300 hrs depending on which model you get.

For the street, I think the e-pump will work just fine, it pumps way more water at idle than any mechanical pump ever could. For the track, keep a close eye on your water temp, and if it's getting too hot, change over to a good mechanical pump.

[Jerry Clayton]

diegokid

The gm impala ss has a mech pump---driven from a gear off the camshaft

Cobra427
the old heater motor driven drag race pumps may have only drawn 6-9 amps but the newer direct drive pumps will be a major electric load and along with electric fans can have a amp draw of upwards to 60-80 amps

Jerry

[LodiWino]

Just got off the phone with Dave Visner, who is building the intake manifold for the 482. He thought the electric water pump would work OK for street use, but suggested running return water lines from all four corners of the heads. A 55 GPM free flow electric water pump drops to about 13 GPM with thermostat on his dyno, and without the return lines from the back of the heads, cooling is uneven.