I noticed the other day my car had a coolant leak, I figured it was leaking from the radiator hose, but after poping the hood and closer inspection I noticed it was leaking from the water pump. I figured while I have it off I'll order an electric pump for it. The only problem I found is that every pump I looked at says "For drag racing use only" My question is this Is it safe to run one of these pumps on the street? Do the make a street Version electric pump? Is anyone here running an electric water pump if so What brand and did you have any problems with it?

 

i'm thinking someone makes an eletric pump for the street, but can't think of who it is. you won't see any big gains in power and they cost a lot more.

 

For street use you're better off with a nice aluminum pump. It works better than a stock replacement cast iron one and will be more reliable than an electric one.

The reason all the electric pumps are classified "drag race only" is that the electric motors are not designed for long periods of operation. They also only have a constant flow. As your engine changes rpm during street driving, a mechanical pump changes rpm as the engine does.

At least with an aluminum pump it saves weight and is more efficient than a factory pump.

 

Plenty of LT1 guys are running the meziere pumps on the street (www.meziere.com). They offer a heavy duty motor option as well as a high flow option of you will be running the pump on the street. I ordered their high flow 55gpm pump.

http://www.xecu.net/timsiford/pump/

Tim