Electric Water Pump - worth it?

[GTSBoy]

You could have the worst of both worlds

fixed

[HoonBoy]

If you had a traditional water pump still fitted, could the electric pump still push water through the blades? You could have the best of both worlds

You can buy a booster pump that is designed to be run with a standard pump.

[edo]

Or just get a better impeller in your std pump...one less thing to go wrong

[10sec rx7]

i have used a few on different cars. mostly mazdas, they work a treat, i would use on on every car that i could fit one on!

the fact they can still run after the car is shut down is the big advantage!!

[CT]

Hmmm - as always thanks for the input. Having just fitted a PWR alloy radiator (friday night before qualifying at EC) which has totally fixed my overheating shenanigans I'll have to admit I'm loath to consider touching the cooling system. I was just curious as to experiences and whether or not they really do free up some lazy ponies. I do agree with Edo about keeping things simple - I have enough things to worry about on a race weekend without another variable and yep, the heaviest thing in my car is the driver - I'll be grinding bolt heads down soon. thanks

[BigMuz]

I am just piping up in support of edo and the cult of the clutch fans.

Those dc water pumps are, in my opinion, shit.

Slow the standard pump down, ditch the thermos for a good clutch fan, and never, ever think about your cooling system again.

If possible manufacture a good impeller for your factory pump, and make a smaller pulley to drive it with a dedicated belt, and bob's your aunty.

Take another 100 gms from the flywheel if you are worried about inertia.

Muz

[tandy ass]

Wow, I thought I was the only one who believes electric fans are a shit idea and people should go back to a good clutch fan (like R32 onward skylines).

Who cares if the fan robs power when your engine is hot. It is a good thing that its cooling the motor well. I'd much rather 5 less KW than an overheated motor.

[10sec rx7]

Those dc water pumps are, in my opinion, shit.


Muz

have you ever used one?? if you have you will know that comment is total horse shit...

i would never build another performance car with out one! i would highly reccomend them to everyone!

[BigMuz]

When they first cam eout we used them in two drag cars. Both had major problems of dragging huge current and flowing bugger all water. We ended up using an american pump that was ok. But we were then running alcohol so that takes a huge load off.

I am happy that you like them and have good experiences with them. I don't like them and I reckon added complexities in these types of fundamental systems are unnecessary. But each to his own mate.

Muz

[sssgtr]

CT, have you considered using some thin (like 1mm or less) aluminium sheet to duct the flow of air through the radiator core to stop it flowing around the core?

[edo]

Im with Muz, simple race cars are reliable race cars.
Electrics are things that fail more often than almost any other system...why add more things to go wrong when you dont have to?

[CT]

CT, have you considered using some thin (like 1mm or less) aluminium sheet to duct the flow of air through the radiator core to stop it flowing around the core?

Yep, already done. It's not a cooling issue kiddies - it's a power gain issue. My car has fully custom made alloy undertrays and deflectors forcing all air through my radiator sealed with high density rubber sealing it. I even have a scoop forcing air into my oil cooler from the front of the car. The car's cooling is spot on now with the PWR radiator - it's not an issue. I was only looking at this for some cheap hp - that's all. My car is highly developed and already running one of the most powerful BP naturally aspirated engines racing in the country but I am looking for some more power. As for this talk of clutch fans - who cares.

[BigMuz]

As for this talk of clutch fans - who cares.

Them's fighting words :D

Muz

[Spac]

Everyone raves about how good the clutch fans are on rotaries, and how much better they are for cooling... So I ditched my thermo fan, and fitted a standard clutch fan and the matching shroud.

The shroud takes up about three quarters of available space in the engine bay, and the bloody fan touches the shroud (I believe the term is "self clearancing"...).

And guess what? The thing runs at the same temp as it did with the thermo fan, and makes noticeably less power.
Waste of f$%king time, IMO.

I've got a dirty big alloy radiator for it now, and once it goes it, so will the thermo...

[/venting]

[BigMuz]

Spac may I respectfully suggest that there is something else going on with your temperature problems?

Running waterpump too fast, thermostat missing and allowing cavitation of the pump? Hoses sucking in under vacuum at high rpm/ temperature?

Remember that the you are probably spinning your engine a lot faster than the stocker was meant to go. Halve the speed of the water pump and see what happens?

Muz