Difficulty level - installing electric water pump

Snackmaster · 07-12-2006

Hey Guys,

I have FMS pulleys on my 96GT and thought that might be a nice easy bolt-on for the 06 - but then started considering an electric water pump instead. I have some overheating issues on the 96 that might be exaggerated by the pulleys. To avoid potential charging and or cooling problems the pump might be the way to go. For those that have electric water pumps (from Mezier or other companies) did you do the install yourself? What is the difficulty level? I'm continuing to do research but I think this might be the direction I'll go. Thanks in advance for any thoughts and... have a good one all!

I'll add that I'm not a complete idiot in the garage but I'm not exactly an accomplished mechanic either.
Snack.

sonny1213 · 07-12-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snackmaster

Hey Guys,

I have FMS pulleys on my 96GT and thought that might be a nice easy bolt-on for the 06 - but then started considering an electric water pump instead. I have some overheating issues on the 96 that might be exaggerated by the pulleys. To avoid potential charging and or cooling problems the pump might be the way to go. For those that have electric water pumps (from Mezier or other companies) did you do the install yourself? What is the difficulty level? I'm continuing to do research but I think this might be the direction I'll go. Thanks in advance for any thoughts and... have a good one all!

I'll add that I'm not a complete idiot in the garage but I'm not exactly an accomplished mechanic either.
Snack.

Hey,
I haven't seen sportspix on for awhile, but I'm sure he can tell you. I asked him about this awhile back, but it was a PM.

hawgman · 07-13-2006

Took me maybe an hour to do the entire job including the wiring. The hardest part of the whole job is getting the bottom bolt back in the water pump.

Snackmaster · 07-13-2006

Thanks guys. That gives me some more perspective. I'll welcome anyone else who wants to chime in.

Have a good one...

Snack

brnrkm · 07-13-2006

don't bother draining the coolant.
just put a pan under the water pump, unbolt the old pump and with the new one in your hand just switch them out.
leave the coolant cap on and take care that the O-ring on the new one seats properly.

even if you drain the coolant you will still get the same gush when the pump is removed and it's not much, maybe 1 pint.

took off the alternator and routed the wires behind it and then to the fuse box. no pinchey pinchey!
I tapped the relay power off of the fuel pump fuse (with a mini fuse tap, trimmed to fit) and the main power off the fuse box power lead. (bolt)
I ran the grounds to the existing ground on the right side shock tower. the new relay mounts nicely against the relay box.

I trimmed a notch in the fuse box lip to run the relay wire into the box but the wire should probably be routed under the fuse box to be totally hidden. That will wait for another day.

go ahead and take off the inlet tube, throttle body and alternator for access.
and get yourself an allen wrench with the ball on the end for the beyotch bolt.

It's not a bad job at all. the work is making the wiring look like a clean install.

Snackmaster · 07-13-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by brnrkm

don't bother draining the coolant.
just put a pan under the water pump, unbolt the old pump and with the new one in your hand just switch them out.
leave the coolant cap on and take care that the O-ring on the new one seats properly.

even if you drain the coolant you will still get the same gush when the pump is removed and it's not much, maybe 1 pint.

took off the alternator and routed the wires behind it and then to the fuse box. no pinchey pinchey!
I tapped the relay power off of the fuel pump fuse (with a mini fuse tap, trimmed to fit) and the main power off the fuse box power lead. (bolt)
I ran the grounds to the existing ground on the right side shock tower. the new relay mounts nicely against the relay box.

I trimmed a notch in the fuse box lip to run the relay wire into the box but the wire should probably be routed under the fuse box to be totally hidden. That will wait for another day.

go ahead and take off the inlet tube, throttle body and alternator for access.
and get yourself an allen wrench with the ball on the end for the beyotch bolt.

It's not a bad job at all. the work is making the wiring look like a clean install.

Well... holy cow! Pics and everything. That's awesome. I oughta just drive down to Tulsa and have you do mine

Seriously, thanks for the scoop - those are the kinds of tips I was looking for. What's the seat-of-the-pants feel with the pump? Anything? As I said in my initial post, I could just go with pulley's but thought I'd try something different here.

Thanks again!
Snack

brnrkm · 07-13-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snackmaster

... What's the seat-of-the-pants feel with the pump? Anything? ...

I guess I would have to say it's something like the difference of running the air compressor, maybe more.

the parts I bought extra were a mini fuse tap, wire loom and tape.

oh, the first pic isn't for the bolt, it's to show the wires going out from the pump and under the alternator.

and the water temp stays rock steady right in the middle of the guage, no matter what. traffic, heat, aircon, after it warms up it never moves. very happy.

got it from Brenspeed. Awsome vendor!

Snackmaster · 07-13-2006

Brenspeed is where I got my MAC axlebacks and is where I'll be getting my CAI and tune. I also noticed that they have a combo with the electric water pump and just the Steeda crank pulley. Might be something to think about as well. I agree that they are awesome.

Thanks again for the help... now I just need to get off my butt and do something.

Snack.

tom281 · 07-13-2006

No significant input here.........only just to put in another vote for Brenspeed- they're great!