Is anyone using an electric water pump for thier street machine ?

[SwaveDave]

Looking at Mesiere's and CSI's website, they are promoting thier electric pumps for drag strip and street. They show about a 2500 hour life expectancy...which based on my limited driving , would amount to about 20 years. If you have one, which one do u have ? Has it been reliable ? Did it cure overheating problems ? Is there any hum or vibration that can be felt from the cab ? Have you rebuilt yours yet and is it easy ? ANd...how difficult is it to install ? (How difficult is it to take off the old mechanical pump?)

Thanks, Dave

 

[80convertible]

I can't find the article, but I remember reading that you should not use an electric pump on a street machine. I can't remember why you should not use it but thats what the article said. Oh well.

Regards,

Jim

 

[69MyWay]

Dave,

I guess you are getting ready to get that monster out of winter hibernation and tear up some spring time roads!

I did a lot of research on electric pumps when bulding the V8 Fiero. That is an option that makes the conversion easier than the delicate inner wheel well belt system to drive a standard water pump.

Most of what I heard, read, and was told came back pretty negative for regular street use.

I am trying the Edelbrock belt driven pump on my 69. The Florida heat combined with the air conditioning should put the cooling system to the test.

Are you having some cooling problems? I just ordered a complete Spal fan assembly from Dewitt. I hear it is the stink for keeping the monster cool. It is a dual 11" fan design with a custom shroud that has air baffles in there that will open at speed to help bleed heat of the radiator.

Pete AKA Redmist here at CAC is running the same design on his beast and claims it really keeps things cool and under control.

 

[Ken]

Damn, I just saw a new product release on ESPN's NHRA Today that extolled the virtues of a new electric water pump that had no belts at all. The unit operated similar to pumps we used in the refinery, where there were no seals in which leaks could develop. Those pump drives were know as "Mag-Drive" pumps, but I forget what the name or manufacture was that I saw on the show.

_ken

 

[SwaveDave]

69,

Ill be taking it out of storage Easter weekend. Cant wait . Also, cant wait for the car shows to start up too.

I talked with the president of Meziere, named Don Meziere, and he said hes only had ONE come back that had over 50,000 miles on it. He said the motor brushes are good for 10,000 hours, and the seal is good for 2500 hours plus. Since i only drive my vette April thru October...that equals about 100 hours per year of driving time ; id be quite content if a new electric pump lasted for 20 years !! Actually, i think id just replace it at every 10 year increment to be on the safe side.

Im not having overheating problems at all...the twin electric fans i have move a hellacious amount of air and my cooling system gets majorly cleaned every 2500 miles - yes, im obsessive i know. Plus, i run straight distilled water with 2 bottles of water wetter - shes never overheated even in real hot weather at idle.

I REALLY like the idea of moving 35 gpm all the time with an electric , plus , i think they look better than Pamela Anderson ! Well....its close, anyway.

im going to pop for a Meziere blue colored one and ill report how i like it once its done - probably within 3 weeks.

S.D.

 

[1979toy]

Let's see here, you've got; an electric fuel pump, twin electric fans, and now you're going to install an electric water pump. It might be time to think about a higher amperage alternator. That is also going to negate any gains that you might get from using the electric water pump.

 

[69MyWay]

Dave,

How are you going to re-route the belts/pulleys?

Sounds like a great plan.


Are you going to make it to Shark Fest?


I know, questions, questions................

 

[SwaveDave]

1979,

I changed out my alternator about 3 years ago , to a 100 amp. That is more than enough to handle every thing i have on the car including a new electric water pump ; the electric pump motor only draws 6 amps anyway. (My fuel pump draws 4 amps, the twin radiator fans draw 26 amps total , the MSD box draws 5 amps ... and the rest consists of headlights/wipers/radio/and horn. I figure i have some reserve....).

69,

Ill need new belts to turn the crank, alternator and power steering pump. (No a/c).

Dave