LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

HD water pump LTx ????

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 6, 2012 | 07:23 AM
  #1  
vettef6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Default HD water pump LTx ????

Does anyone know of a company selling HD LTx water pumps?? Don't know if there really is a HD pump on the market.

Thanks
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2012 | 07:46 AM
  #2  
96capricemgr's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,975
Likes: 15
Default

Stock is far and away the highest flow pump available. Moves 66gmp as installed on the engine. The electrics have varying FREEFLOW ratings up to 55gpm but based on guys seeing RAISED coolant temps at cruise with electric pumps the stocker outflows all of the electrics by 2500 engine rpms.

The electrics do flow more at idle..........................when the engine is making no heat to speak of.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2012 | 02:52 PM
  #3  
Tony Shepherd's Avatar
8 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,913
Likes: 2
From: Round Rock TX
Default

This is the heavy duty pump that I have been running for many years. Flows more than you will need.

http://www.meziere.com/ps-813-781-wp118hd.aspx
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2012 | 03:06 PM
  #4  
96capricemgr's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,975
Likes: 15
Default

As said those with street cars find raised coolant temps at cruise with the electric pumps. Not overheating but higher than with the mechanical.

I am not saying electrics are without purpose or bad, just urging some vague understanding which is usually quite unwelcome.

The 66gpm figure I spoke of is from an SAE document on the LT1 cooling system, again the electrics are all freeflow rated.

For a drag car the ability to cool down between passes certainly makes an electric worthwhile, for a roadrace car they are often found insufficient and for a street/strip car well you have to decide if the .1 is worth the greater possibility of sudden complete coolant flow stoppage be it from the pump motor dying or an electrical fault. The mechanical will usually weep and let you know well in advance so you can change it before it really fails.

I eventually put an electric on my car for the .1 at the track, but even in 40degree weather the car runs warmer on the highway than in town, even with cool 70mph airflow the electrics are just starting to lose control. I can cruise for a 2.5hour drive home and it wont overheat or anything but the temp will come down once I get near home and speed drops to 35mph.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2012 | 03:08 PM
  #5  
vettef6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Default

Tony, that's the pump I've been using for many years. I have the Meziere HD pump which is supposed to flow 55gpm but it's just not good enough as it seems. I've been having trouble ever since I swapped to a EWP.

I have a LT1 Corvette, and I agree with 96capricemgr. I want to switch back to a stock pump. It's exactly as he says, temp at idle is great but past 2500 rpm the temp will go up to the hatch marks and when I step on the pedal the needle goes beyond and the water boils in the surge tank.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2012 | 03:18 PM
  #6  
96capricemgr's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,975
Likes: 15
Default

It is just simple physics the electric pumps take a lot less power to operate because they do a lot less work. People like to argue that but they probably couldn't pass a third grade science test.

I wont claim the stock pump is perfect the road racers do find it to cavitate at high rpm. Stewart's pump(real racing pump) teased us with the idea of an improved LT1 pump for awhile but as with so many other LT1 R&D ideas it never flew.

Part of me wonders about modifying a nicer EWP impeller for use on the stock pump. The stock impeller certainly leaves some room for improvement, what I don't really know though is how fast the electrics spin and if the impeller would work decently over the mechanical pump's rpm range.

I haven't seen anything about anyone really playing with the guts of the stock pump to try and improve it. I know one guy who welded the impellers on because he would twist them off but it is a 1500hp car, the rate of acceleration(Pump has to accelerate the water within the system) there is beyond what the rest of us will see.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2012 | 03:18 PM
  #7  
Tony Shepherd's Avatar
8 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,913
Likes: 2
From: Round Rock TX
Default

Originally Posted by vettef6
Tony, that's the pump I've been using for many years. I have the Meziere HD pump which is supposed to flow 55gpm but it's just not good enough as it seems. I've been having trouble ever since I swapped to a EWP.

I have a LT1 Corvette, and I agree with 96capricemgr. I want to switch back to a stock pump. It's exactly as he says, temp at idle is great but past 2500 rpm the temp will go up to the hatch marks and when I step on the pedal the needle goes beyond and the water boils in the surge tank.
Sounds like to me there may be other issues with your cooling system. Have you had your radiator checked out? It could be the culprit. I have been there.


A stock one will work fine for you as stated. Some have to go to an electric for other reasons such as using double roller timing chains which can't drive the stock water pump shafts.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2012 | 03:30 PM
  #8  
vettef6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Default

The radiator is ok. I'm using a HD radiator and measured the outgoing temp to the water pump. It was 140°--155° measured with a infrared gun.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 6, 2012 | 08:27 PM
  #9  
96capricemgr's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,975
Likes: 15
Default

I forgot about the timing chain excuse. Hell you will find more engines ruined by an electric waterpump or wiring failing than the LT1 timing chain failing.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2012 | 08:58 PM
  #10  
Fastbird93's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 2
From: Fort Wayne, IN
Default

This really has me chewing on moving back to a stock water pump. My front mount turbo setup is having a hard time staying cool at speed with the Meziere I've got.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2012 | 03:18 AM
  #11  
vettef6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Default

I'm definitely going back to a stock pump. I'll also have to switch back to a single roller chain, and I'm considering buying the Cloyes 9-3651X3 set up. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CLO-9-3651X3/
My springs are pretty stiff with 560 lbs. Hope I wont get any problems going back to a single roller.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2012 | 12:41 PM
  #12  
pancho toco loco's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 902
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Default

Like said before you may have a underlining problem. For somebody wanting every last tenth it makes sense but gotta understand the trade off.. Also lots of ppl forget the operating temps from the factory. Everyone has a 160 stat and fans that come on at 180 range. So when driving w/ the electic pump and temps are in 210-220 range ppl freak. Even with my stock pump and a hot day ( 160 stat fan on 187 off 180 something like that) my temps get around 200-205 if Im driving 70-80. The 4.10's dont help that cause.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2012 | 05:59 PM
  #13  
97Z28SS's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 3
Default

Here's a thought would something like the fuelpump voltblaster work with an ewp to speed it up for short periods of time by giving it more voltage?
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2012 | 06:07 PM
  #14  
lt1slowz28's Avatar
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
From: T E X A S
Default

Originally Posted by 97Z28SS
Here's a thought would something like the fuelpump voltblaster work with an ewp to speed it up for short periods of time by giving it more voltage?
not really something you want to over volt... a fuelpump dying without warning just makes the car shut off... a water pump going out can trash an entire motor.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2012 | 07:21 PM
  #15  
BIGCAT7274's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: Apopka FL
Default

Originally Posted by vettef6
The radiator is ok. I'm using a HD radiator and measured the outgoing temp to the water pump. It was 140°--155° measured with a infrared gun.

are you sure it good?
assuming its a 180* incoming temp. a drop across the core that big is a flow problem. first thing i would do is check voltage drop to the pump. then get a set of moroso water restrictors. put the smallest one in and check your temps incoming and out going. then move to the next size up. and keep going though them one by one. we look for a optimal 10* to 15* differential from inlet to outlet. if there is no or minimal change from the smallest to the largest restrictor. you need to pull the radiator and have it flow checked.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2012 | 03:00 AM
  #16  
vettef6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by BIGCAT7274
are you sure it good?
assuming its a 180* incoming temp. a drop across the core that big is a flow problem. first thing i would do is check voltage drop to the pump. then get a set of moroso water restrictors. put the smallest one in and check your temps incoming and out going. then move to the next size up. and keep going though them one by one. we look for a optimal 10* to 15* differential from inlet to outlet. if there is no or minimal change from the smallest to the largest restrictor. you need to pull the radiator and have it flow checked.
A couple of weeks ago when the engine was idling I had an incoming temp of about 180° and 150° going out. Does this mean the coolant flow is too slow going thru the radiator?? It could also be that the water pump isn't capable of pulling the coolant faster thru the radiator.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2012 | 04:43 AM
  #17  
BIGCAT7274's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: Apopka FL
Default

Originally Posted by vettef6
A couple of weeks ago when the engine was idling I had an incoming temp of about 180° and 150° going out. Does this mean the coolant flow is too slow going thru the radiator?? It could also be that the water pump isn't capable of pulling the coolant faster thru the radiator.
Yes its a flow problem. You just need to determined if its the radiator,water pump or some other restriction.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2012 | 05:13 AM
  #18  
Blk98Vert's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,579
Likes: 1
Default

Can't say I ever had a problem with my CSR pump on the street
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2012 | 05:20 AM
  #19  
vettef6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by BIGCAT7274
Yes its a flow problem. You just need to determined if its the radiator,water pump or some other restriction.
Yes, that's the problem!! Checking the radiator is probably the easiest, but how can I check the EWP or if there are any restriction (head gasket bores)????
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2012 | 06:29 AM
  #20  
BIGCAT7274's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: Apopka FL
Default

Originally Posted by vettef6
Yes, that's the problem!! Checking the radiator is probably the easiest, but how can I check the EWP or if there are any restriction (head gasket bores)????
like i said above. try the water restrictors and see if there is change and check the voltage drop to the pump. low voltage will cause the pump to not move enough water.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:14 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE