Electric water pumps for performance engines.

"Pump up the volume!"

In a performance engine you should never underestimate the need for adequate cooling.

All water cooled cars work on the principle of water being pumped around the engine and then to a radiator where it releases the heat.

Most water pumps are mechanical and run off the crank.

This creates 2 drawbacks:-

Firstly water is pumped in proportion to the engine speed. So if you have been driving hard and then suddenly go slow the water is being pumped more slowly and the engine takes much longer to cool down.

Secondly the water pumps exert a pull on the crank. They are usually fairly bulky and take a fair amount of force to turn the impeller. Power loses to the water pump alone have been recorded to be as high as 17 bhp on a 170bhp engine.

Long used in motorsport an electric water pump is able to address both of these issues. It must be noted that the extra current it draws will create pull on the alternator in a similar way to the air conditioning unit (but nowhere near as much!)

The electric water pump will come as a kit with the main pump and a controller. The more sophisticated controllers allow you to select an operating temperature for the engine from within the car.

The benefit of a water pump is that the water is circulated in direct proportion to temperature. The hotter the water then the faster it is pumped round the engine and this will assist with cooling. It also means that the pump is only running when it is actually required allowing the engine to warm up quickly and maintain an optimum operating temperature.

You will need to remove the existing water pump impeller and the thermostat as your electric water pump will replace these. Removal of the entire water pump is not absolutely necessary; indeed keeping the belt pulley in place will mean you do not have to get a new belt fitted.

A big benefit of an electric water pump is the fact that you can easily select the operating temperature of your car. Setting the temperature lower will mean the engine produces more power and setting it higher will improve the engines economy.

Sitting in traffic will no longer mean the engine reaches dangerous levels and the cooling fan on the radiator will have less work to do due to the faster cycling of the engine coolant around the engine.

Fitting an electric water pump is very straightforward, but as every car's cooling system varies we cannot give specifics here. The pump will usually fit inline near the switch that operates the flow through the radiator. You will typically have to cut a hose and fit the water pump inline and then wire this into the car's ignition circuit.

Depending upon your settings you could even let the water pump run when the car is stationary allowing it to continue to cool the engine when it is turned off.

Why not join us in our friendly forum to discuss the pros and cons of electic water pumps and other cutting edge modifications in more detail.

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