Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum

Z0fritz · 11-09-2009, 08:24 AM

It looks like I will be in the market for a new water pump very soon. I found some coolant on the front spring and it looks like it is from the bottom of the pump behind the pulley. Anyway, I'm torn between just getting it back together or upgrading. I hate to do the work and not make an improvement. I was looking at replacing it with

1. AC Delco OEM pump
2. Evans pump
3. Edelbrocks new Victor pump
4. Electric pump

I'm reluctant to go the electric route just for reliablitly sake.

Anyway, if anyone has any recommendations, experience, etc...that would be great.

Thanks

RocketSled · 11-09-2009, 09:16 AM

Electric pumps aren't all that more or less reliable than anything else. While the motor itself is something more that can break, you don't have the impeller input shaft being driven by a side-loaded pulley like with a mechanical pump. And as you yourself are experiencing, that shaft seal is a weak point in the mechanical pump.

I've considered an electric a few times now - I have a Vortech that has been known to blow a serpentine belt now and then. From my perspective, an electric pump is actually *more* reliable (one could argue) because the cooling system will continue to operate without a serpentine belt - whereas now the car needs to be sidelined pretty much the moment a belt pops off.

I've looked at the Evans stuff a few times now, too. I like the idea of a low-pressure higher-efficiency coolant system more than anything else (my Vortech setup likes to run a little hot). Probably, if I find I'm in need of a new pump, I'd switch over to Evans' stuff at the same time. Though I think I called them once and they said the OEM pump will work just fine with their coolant...

**PaulS** · 11-09-2009, 01:37 PM

I upgraded from an LS6 to an LS3 motor. The LS6 water pump bolts right up to the LS3 and uses the same gaskets. The LS6 water pump has the integrated thermostat inside the neck. The LS3 water pump is lighter weight and has less rotational mass due to a much thinner bell pulley vs. the fat thing on the LS6. The LS6 has that large bell pulley so it could be used on all LS1/LS6 GM cars which had different belt configurations.

The LS3 water pump also has a standard neck and standard drop in thermostat. My LS3 is forged and running 510 rwhp, The C6 Z06s with the LS7 motor also use the same "LS3 design" water pump. Might want to take a look at it. The L92 water pump won't fit the Corvette btw...

I had found an eBay seller THAT NO LONGER SELLS THEM, new for $99, so it was a no brainer...

Eddie 70 · 11-09-2009, 04:19 PM

My 02 had a leak from the water pump. I searched and found out after closer inspection that it was leaking from the gasket on one side. I wound up replacing just the gaskets and flushing the radiator several times. Worked out nicely for me.

Z0fritz · 11-10-2009, 09:35 AM

thanks for the info guys.
Eddie 70, after reading you post I might go check it again just to be sure it is not coming from the gaskets. But, in my case I don't think I'm that lucky...my coolant is on the front of the pump gathering up around the bolt heads...would almost have to be coming from the seal behind the pulley.
Rocket, I agree with the reliability comparison of the two, but I think my issue is that a mechanical pump gives some warning allowing you to get home, etc...with the electic pump is just seems like all is fine and then it is gone. I don't know...I just don't know if the expense and concern of total failure at any give time is worth it.

RocketSled · 11-11-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z0fritz

Rocket, I agree with the reliability comparison of the two, but I think my issue is that a mechanical pump gives some warning allowing you to get home, etc...with the electic pump is just seems like all is fine and then it is gone. I don't know...I just don't know if the expense and concern of total failure at any give time is worth it.

I suppose it's all a function of perspective. A blown belt is 100% failure, just as much as a dead electric motor. But with an electric pump, a blown belt is still "as much juice as there is in the battery" drivable. If I was still popping belts off the motor, an electric pump would be looking mighty good to me about now...

Eddie 70 · 11-11-2009, 04:20 PM

I forgot to mention, I built a pressure tester and pressurized my system to find the leak. I built it out of a cheap bug sprayer and a cap. I pressurized the system up to about 12-15 psi and this is where I found the leak.

Z0fritz · 11-13-2009, 07:56 AM

Thanks guys for your responses/info. Eddie, that looks pretty slick and like a good thing to have around. I checked and it was my pump. I decided, for now, to just go OEM. I thought about it and I thought, "what was my pump NOT doing that the high $ aftermarket pumps can do?" Well, with the OEM pump I had good temps both around town and high speed driving, etc..., it was dependable, and it is way cheaper than the other options.

**2MchFun** · 11-13-2009, 12:50 PM

That's pretty trick Eddie

...and you don't have to worry about weeds growing under your hood

ya gotta love good ole "yankee ingenuity" !

Eddie 70 · 11-13-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2MchFun

That's pretty trick Eddie

...and you don't have to worry about weeds growing under your hood

ya gotta love good ole "yankee ingenuity" !

Works like a champ and no weeds!! Thats the best part.

I originally built it to pressure bleed the brakes in my 70. I can also use it to pressure bleed the brakes on the Z if needed. Pretty handy little homemade tool. They can be bought on the net but I cannot remember the name right now.

exSSer · 11-16-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulS

I upgraded from an LS6 to an LS3 motor. The LS6 water pump bolts right up to the LS3 and uses the same gaskets. The LS6 water pump has the integrated thermostat inside the neck. The LS3 water pump is lighter weight and has less rotational mass due to a much thinner bell pulley vs. the fat thing on the LS6. The LS6 has that large bell pulley so it could be used on all LS1/LS6 GM cars which had different belt configurations.

The LS3 water pump also has a standard neck and standard drop in thermostat. My LS3 is forged and running 510 rwhp, The C6 Z06s with the LS7 motor also use the same "LS3 design" water pump. Might want to take a look at it. The L92 water pump won't fit the Corvette btw...

I had found an eBay seller THAT NO LONGER SELLS THEM, new for $99, so it was a no brainer...

I'm taking off my Meziere EWP to install a A&A Vortech system, and I was told to just put my stock one back on.(about 11k mi.) Is this a good idea, or should I upgrade to a LS3 unit. (or aftermarket) I don't want to spend too much, because my wife just got fired, and we lost our medical insurance, so I need to be frugal.

Junkman2008 · 11-20-2009, 04:10 AM

I'm a big fan of stock. I stick with what has lasted me well over 100,000 miles as I'm no engine designer. With that said, I replaced mine with a new one from O'Reilly's and then took it across country for a 20 hour test drive. No leaks or smell of antifreeze. Here's how I did it.