Electric water pump

mooreken · #1 (**permalink**) 08-26-2010, 10:08 AM

Have any of you had any experience with electric pumps? I have been thinking of giving one a try. The kit I am looking at comes with a mini alt. but it only has 55 amps. I have some concerns with running the pump and fans.

Other than Ignition that will be most of the draw.
Thanks..Ken

jdean · #2 (**permalink**) 08-26-2010, 08:23 PM

I use a Meziere electric pump, electric fan, fuel injection and have no issues with a 65 amp alternator.

mooreken · #3 (**permalink**) 08-27-2010, 07:02 AM

Thanks...That is good news.
Ken

vector1 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-27-2010, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdean

I use a Meziere electric pump, electric fan, fuel injection and have no issues with a 65 amp alternator.

i would think you are on the edge john. efi doesn't like marginal amperage.

i've run the electric water pump but am considering going back to belt driven. each has advantage. i ran a 165 amp alt. 40amp for accel dfi, electric water pump, electric fan, electric fuel pump, whatever else electric. when everything was running and i turned the fan on i could tell there was a pretty good draw at idle--the volt meter would drop and there was a change in engine sound. my alt. came with a graph that showed where the output rpm started, and the pulleys were matched for that.

Ralphy · #5 (**permalink**) 08-27-2010, 09:10 AM

Seems I remember Barry Rabotnick of Survivalmotorsports.com. Stating he would recommend staying with the pulley pump. I would ask him. I think he mentioned something about not enough water volume at higher RPM.

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/member.php?u=17459

jdean · #6 (**permalink**) 08-28-2010, 07:07 AM

Vector, my volt meter stays at 14 from 1500 RPM on up. All the stuff I am running comes to about 40 amps with the headlights on, 46 if I ever run the wipers. If I have any problems I will go to a 135 amp alternator but for now no worries. Cant tell any changes when I turn on the fan.

FUNFER2 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-28-2010, 01:33 PM

I've never trusted electrics. Besides using one for racing, and wanting the most HP you can get, why use one ?

With a good quality mechanical pump, you may never have a issue. If you're on the road and the electric fails, most auto stores won't have a replacement. Mechanical,, most stores will have them so, it's a no brainer for me. Stick with mechanical.

jdean · #8 (**permalink**) 08-28-2010, 01:44 PM

I had the same thoughts, but considering how so many folks run electric fuel pumps with no issues, I figured I'm no worse off with electric water pump. But that is a good point that you can find mechanical stuff down the street if you are in a bind.

FUNFER2 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-28-2010, 02:00 PM

When we went on the Hot Rod Power Tour last year, a guy in a 67' Chevelle, had the same pump as you do (good quality though) had it break on the highway. The Hot Rod repair truck did not have one and was lucky,..... that they had mechanical pump and pulley,... for his BB Chevy. If they didn't, it was a 60 mile trip and out of the way on the tour, to a parts store for a mechanical, not electric.

If you or anyone use the electric, put a replacement in the trunk. Problem with that is, in a small trunk of the cobra, how important is spare vs other parts, clothes ect., ect... ?

I wouldn't even use one for cruising my local town, and like I said, I may use one for the drag strip, that's what their made for. They do look cool though !

Bobcat · #10 (**permalink**) 08-28-2010, 02:38 PM

I used to run an electric water pump on my dirt car because I wanted all the hp I could get . It also let me cool the engine down in the pits between heats . However , if an electric fuel pump fails , your engine shuts off . If the electric water pump fails , you could destroy an engine if you don`t catch it soon enough .
Since the water flow doesn`t change with rpm , you may have to play with restrictors/orifices to balance the flow for your application .

67JET · #11 (**permalink**) 08-28-2010, 02:44 PM

I have a Meziere 55 gpm water pump and a 140 amp (mini 100 hopped up to 140) alt. I had to make the alt bracket because the frame is too close to get any that i could buy to work. I don't have many miles on the car yet but so far so good.

jdean · #12 (**permalink**) 08-28-2010, 03:55 PM

Dont really have room for spare fan, fuel pump, water pump, distributor or any other thing electric that will fail and leave you stranded. That is the advantage of the mechanical stuff, more likely available in the middle of nowhere. The one thing that has failed and stranded me is the run of the mill Ford electronic ignition module.

mooreken · #13 (**permalink**) 08-28-2010, 04:27 PM

Thanks fellows...the main reason I have been thinking of the electric pump is just because it is an option. I have used the manuel one always before and now the electric pumps seem to have caught up with the times.
Yes it can fail....so can the manuel and so can a thermastat...all will leave you on the side of the road.

I dont have AC or Power steering on my build so an electric pump will be really neat and tidy.

Other than the cost...(and the amount of money I have been spending on the Bling stuff it is not all that much) I wanted to give it a try. My main consern was weather or not it would cool on the street.

Thanks to all...I think I will give it a try.....(can always sell it on Ebay if it dont work).

ken

jdean · #14 (**permalink**) 08-28-2010, 04:40 PM

One advantage for me is when it is very hot, which is most of the time here, it moves more water when stopped at a stop light or in traffic, which is where the older style slows down and lets the engine temp creep up. Life span for the Meziere is 4,000 hours, so I have a ways to go before it wears out.