TallTim

iTrader: (2)

Nothing much turns up in a search on this.

The FSM and other places mentions not to run the factory pump on over 400HP engines.

Anyone had any experience with what happens?

Anyone doing anything to reinforce? I see my pulley is pressed on only. Maybe a Locktighted bolt in there?

Thx.

Edwardgp

Would this be an R.P.M. issue instead of a H.P. issue?

TallTim

iTrader: (2)

Hmmm can't seem to find it in the FSM, will have to look again. Pretty sure it was not RPM related though. No idea where 400HP came from either.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

1989 pump here. 6500 rpm and over 800 hp no issues here.
Same pump been through 7000 rpm on 600-650 hp nitrous 383

I dont see what hp has to do with anything. Rpm makes more sense but havent heard any limitations on pump speeds. Same goes for any accessory, water pump or alternator

86LG4Bird

iTrader: (1)

HP has nothing to do with it.
And,.....on a daily driver or drag car, rpm won't matter either, as long as we're talking below 7000 or so.
For extended high rpm as in roadracing, yes, rpm is a concern with stock pumps. I don't know how bad it affects pump durability, but running 6000 rpm with a stock pump with stock pulleys for 5 or 10 minutes will boil the PS fluid.

Edwardgp

Well at least we have an answer and this makes more sense. Thanks LG.

AlkyIROC

Nothing a proper power steering cooler couldn't fix.

Road racing is causing constant hydraulic pressure from the continual turning. Pressure creates heat and you need some sort of cooler.

Drag racing and normal daily driving creates very little heat in the power steering fluid even if you were spinning the engine to 7000 rpm. Turning the steering very little only needs minimal pressure in the power steering system.

HP has nothing to do with power steering. Controlling the heat in the oil for how you intend to use the car is more of a concern. Any sort of aggressive driving such as road racing, autocross, offroading etc where you're constantly generating heat in the hydraulics simply needs a cooler to survive.

86LG4Bird

iTrader: (1)

Alky, you quoted me out of context slightly there, didn't ya?
We're on the same page.
However, stock pumps DO churn and heat the fluid unnecessarily at high rpms, even with no steering input.
Yes, in my case I run underdrvien pulleys AND a PS cooler to keep things under control on the road course.
Anyway, I think we all agree on the response to the OP: disregard that "400 hp limit" for a daily driver, street bruiser, or dragrace application.