hey guys i just built a 383 stroker and i was thinking about using a electric water pump to free up some more hp. and i was wondering how they are on the street?? does anyone have one on there car? and are they good for the street? thanks brian

 

I want to know the same. The August 2007 issue of Chevy High Performance has an article on Dyno-proven bolt-ons. They put a Meziere WP 321 on a Nova and netted an increase of 23 RWHp. Fairly significant.

How has installed an electric water pump on their car/

And what do you do about the drive belts? I have an '87 with multi V-belt system. I have removed the air pump and the AC compressor pump, leaving only two belts. I figure that I will need a much shorter wide belt that drives the altanator (sp).

 

I've seen it done before, one of my co-workers runs a CSR (daily driver street/strip car). Runs just fine for him. 2 things I don't like about them: 1) the aforementioned belt routing issue. 2), I'm not a big fan of the chance that the pump motor could die and you'd be stuck with a blown motor. Same thing in the event of losing the power source: pump stops, motor dies.

Personally, for a street car, I don't see the justification. Get a good aluminum pump, save a hundred bucks, don't worry about having to replace a motor every so often.

 

Youd catch on that youre motor is overheating long before it blew up. I think they run at a constant speed ALL the time, so 800 rpm or 8 000 rpm, its enough to cool the engine.

 

Thats why I dont like them. One speed all the time...so if Im crusing around it'll cool it down quick, maybe to quick for it to get up to Operating Temp but if Im beating and hammering on it it will still cool at that speed and wont find out if thats fine until I buy it install it and see how it cools...end up might not cooling it enough at that point.

That and the problem of a motor dieing and belt routing.

 

You can get them thermostatically controlled, or just do it switch operated. remember, its not the only component that controls the temperatue, you also have your fan, and thermostat.

If your sitting in traffic with you fan off, the waterpump can spin all it likes, your engine aint gettin any cooler.

I was considering getting one, because when i shut off my engine, it warms up for about 15 minutes. (its not actually warming up, the water is just equalizing with the engine), but its not getting cooler. So i ususally start my car for about 10 seconds, every 5 minutes to get the cool water flowing. This is alot easier with an electric pump.

I agree that you dont really need one for the street, but i think youre focusing on the wrong reasons for it. It wont harm your motor in anyway, thats for sure. And failure is just as likely with a belt driven model.

 

True true.....but not for the belt routing...we have it hooked up to an on off switch for use at anytime...how do we route this belt? Anyway have an EWP Setup with pictures?

 

Im sure you could find a pic on google. But it seems, that with an electric waterpump, folks usually relocate the alternator down near the fuel pump. Also, since they are tryin to save power usually, the powersteering pump is also non existant. After this, the belt is just a trial and error thing, im sure you can find a small enough one to fit from any parts store.

Theres also pumps that arent a complete electric waterpump, but instead use a motor to drive a pully. And you hook another pulley up to the water pump. These setups are cheaper, but are extra weight and moving parts. Not the smartest design.

 

the motor ones that drive a pulley are for race use only, they will burn up shortly after installing them if used on a daily driver type vehicle.

 

I put a crate motor in my car, and put an electric water pump on before putting the engine in. I've been using it for a month. It's a daily driver, and hasn't had a problem with overheating. If it did die, I'd be prepared because I watch my gauges. I had an 89 TBI, so it had a serpentine belt setup. I used the old accessory bracket on the new engine, so I just had to get a smaller belt after removing the smog pump and water pump from the system. I don't expect any problems from the water pump dying, or the car overheating.

Edit: By the way, I'm using a Moroso water pump

 

I wasnt aware of that, are they just meant for high revs for short periods? What makes the electric pumps without a drive pulley more effective?

 

well i know that what makes them more effective is 1 engineering.. theyre made to live longer.. and 2 being centermounted.. the way the belt pulls on the motor wears out the bearings and brushes.. i looked into an electric but was turned away buy guys that said they dont last.. but i cant help but think its realy no different then a fan motor.. so y should it burn out.. im currently dealing with the fact that the edelbrock victor series casting is incorrect and have been on the phone with the engineers, qoute on qoute brainiacs behind everything.. the pump doesnt come close to fitting..

 

except fans dont run all the time, waterpumps do.

 

I would really like to get an electric water pump but want to have my serpintine setup with AC power steer and alternator. Can I get it to work? I've done some research about the pros and cons and the main concern is the flow of the water pump at idle, I live down in miami and its 90 degrees on a daily basis. a standard belt driven water pump turns 8 gpm at idle where as a good electric is flowing a constant 55gpm. A good belt driven will be flowing 55-60gpm at 6500+ rpms so the electric is still in the ballpark. If you can please let me know if id be able to use one with a serpintine setup.

Thanks

 

I've got a Moroso electric water pump that is not belt driven. I use the power steering, A/C, alternator, and crank on the serpentine. The only problem I have is that the car overheats with the A/C on. I think I just need a bigger radiator now that I've got a 350 with iron heads. It's my daily driver, and I live in A/C. 90 degrees here is the spring. It's been in the 100-110's lately.

 

i have run the csr on two small blocks both street driven with no issues. i am a little more concerned (haven't driven this one yet) about my firebird application so i went with the upgraded rad with shrouded fans. no probs in the past keeping a radical 327 and 406 cool both with stock radiators using the csr electric pumps. the belt routing is pretty routine although pricey if using electric fans. you can see the belt number i used. allthough i have only the alternator running off it.