quote:Originally posted by Bosswrench:
Still not convinced running only an elec. pump will adequately cool a modified engine. It seems you need around 55 gal/hr of water flow to barely match most mechanical pumps. Mezier makes an elec. pump that actually fastens to the lower rad tank replacing the lower outlet, making it the most close-coupled pump possible. This expensive little part, along with a mechanical main pump, should lower in-town temps a bit, but this's only speculation- I spent my $330 on something else.
Jack.
IMO electric pumps are perfectly adequate and even now used in some production vehicles (GM & Toyota) to help meet new emissions regs. FWIW my Ultima has never suffered from overheating, has 600 HP and an engine bay that is so cramped it gets far hotter than any Pantera. It gets used at both extremes in traffic and as fast as my 'pucker meter' will allow on track.
In reality mechanical pumps are a compromise designed to meet a range of engine rpms and most (depending on pulley ratios) are pushing around 32 gpm at 2000 rpm, you don't get up to 55 gpm until the 3000 rpm mark. They are also of fairly inefficent impeller deign and can cavitate easily. All of that is in reverse to what is really required in a Pantera (or other mid engined car) when stationery or in slow moving traffic.
Julian