Water pump question - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

SoChrisB · 07-12-2021, 02:57 PM

I have a whipple with a 10 rib setup and undrive pulley. Running 13lb of boost. I'm 99% sure I'm currently overspinning the water pump on long pulls and causing cavitation.

Has anyone switched to a different water pump. If so, what?

Appreciate the help.

Batmanntexas · 07-12-2021, 03:05 PM

Aside from an electric water pump, I don't think there are any other options. Have you looked into a smaller diameter water pump pulley by any chance? Might be cheaper than a replacement water pump anyways....

Just curious, what indications were you seeing that led you to the cavitation thought?

-Scott

SoChrisB · 07-12-2021, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batmanntexas

Aside from an electric water pump, I don't think there are any other options. Have you looked into a smaller diameter water pump pulley by any chance? Might be cheaper than a replacement water pump anyways....

Just curious, what indications were you seeing that led you to the cavitation thought?

-Scott

I've spent months chasing this. Replaced temp sensor, thermostat, radiator. So, I did some math on RPM of water pump stock compared to with a blower and there is a disparity.

Short, small runs it's fine. On a long (5 second+ WOT), if overheats after the run. If I burp the system, it's then fine.

Open to other suggestions.

Omega · 07-12-2021, 06:30 PM

Sounds like you need a separate serpentine system for the Whipple... Which I'm not sure exists for the Camaro

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larry_g · 07-12-2021, 11:18 PM

Instead of the underdrive pulley, what about a stock size and a smaller blower pulley?

Not cheap but it would put the water pump back at stock rpm.

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SoChrisB · 07-13-2021, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry_g

Instead of the underdrive pulley, what about a stock size and a smaller blower pulley?

Not cheap but it would put the water pump back at stock rpm.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

That's what I was thinking this weekend. At least the under drive pulley.

Greenhornet2 · 07-13-2021, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry_g

Instead of the underdrive pulley, what about a stock size and a smaller blower pulley?

Not cheap but it would put the water pump back at stock rpm.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

I was going to suggest this.

Batmanntexas · 07-13-2021, 02:17 PM

I must be missing something here. OP stated that he is already running an underdrive pulley (1st post), which I assume he's referencing the harmonic damper. Does the 10-rib kit have a non-stock diameter WP pulley?

The underdrive damper would already be turning the WP slower. Slower speeds wouldn't cause cavitation.

gtstorey · 07-13-2021, 02:39 PM

I think most of us reading this have assumed that he is actually running an overdrive to spin the SC faster. I don't know why he would want to underdrive with a SC.

SoChrisB · 07-13-2021, 05:24 PM

I wrote it wrong. Definitely an overdrive pulley.

stevieturbo · 07-14-2021, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoChrisB

I have a whipple with a 10 rib setup and undrive pulley. Running 13lb of boost. I'm 99% sure I'm currently overspinning the water pump on long pulls and causing cavitation.

Has anyone switched to a different water pump. If so, what?

Appreciate the help.

You make no sense.

And with an underdrive pulley, you will be spinning it even slower.

Why do you think you are spinning it faster when pump speed is dictated entirely by crank pulley rpm/diameter and pump pulley diameter.

And when nobody else has cavitation issues at any rpm on any other engine.

stevieturbo · 07-14-2021, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoChrisB

I've spent months chasing this. Replaced temp sensor, thermostat, radiator. So, I did some math on RPM of water pump stock compared to with a blower and there is a disparity.

Short, small runs it's fine. On a long (5 second+ WOT), if overheats after the run. If I burp the system, it's then fine.

Open to other suggestions.

Sounds like a cooling system layout issue. And what do you define as overheating ?

What is normal temp for you, and what is "overheat" temp ? What stat ? And is the layout of the system as per factory, or has it been altered ?

SoChrisB · 07-14-2021, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieturbo

Sounds like a cooling system layout issue. And what do you define as overheating ?

What is normal temp for you, and what is "overheat" temp ? What stat ? And is the layout of the system as per factory, or has it been altered ?

Normal is <190. Tried both factory and 160 degree Stat. Overheat is north of 245 degrees. No change to layout of system, at all.

gtstorey · 07-14-2021, 04:40 PM

I would be surprised if the very short fraction of time that you are at max rpms that you could have enough cavitation to be a problem with probably a 10% overdrive pulley. How high are you revving?

07-12-2021, 02:57 PM	#1
SoChrisB Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 597 View My Garage	Water pump question I have a whipple with a 10 rib setup and undrive pulley. Running 13lb of boost. I'm 99% sure I'm currently overspinning the water pump on long pulls and causing cavitation. Has anyone switched to a different water pump. If so, what? Appreciate the help.

07-12-2021, 03:05 PM	#2
Batmanntexas Drives: 2012 Camaro SS (2SS) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Stafford, VA Posts: 1,375 View My Garage	Aside from an electric water pump, I don't think there are any other options. Have you looked into a smaller diameter water pump pulley by any chance? Might be cheaper than a replacement water pump anyways.... Just curious, what indications were you seeing that led you to the cavitation thought? -Scott __________________ 745RWHP/634RWTQ on 93 @ 10psi 806/676 on E85 @ 10psi COTW 9/8/14

07-12-2021, 11:18 PM	#5
larry_g Drives: 2014 1SS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 828	Instead of the underdrive pulley, what about a stock size and a smaller blower pulley? Not cheap but it would put the water pump back at stock rpm. Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk __________________ 830 WHP 700 WTQ, Whipple 2.9 @ 13lbs Boost, Flex Fuel Tune by Blevins Tuning, LSA SBE, 3.5 GripTec, ATI LS3 Damper, AFR 260cc Mongoose, ARP Studs, Yella Terra Ultralites, Johnson 2110R, BTR PDS Stage 3, Melling 10355, Improved Racing Baffle, ID1050X, DSX Triple Fuel Pump, RotoFab CAI, NW 103mm TB, Stainless Works 1-7/8" LTH to 3" Speed Eng w/ X-pipe to NPP, Powermaster 9509 XS, Detroit Speed Motor Mounts, MGW, Monster LT1-S, ZL1 Calipers, DBA Rotors & Pads, Bilstein B6 Struts & Shocks, BMR 1.25" Drop Springs & Adj Rear Bar, Pegasus Solid Bushings, Z/28 Wheels, other misc parts.

07-13-2021, 02:17 PM	#8
Batmanntexas Drives: 2012 Camaro SS (2SS) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Stafford, VA Posts: 1,375 View My Garage	I must be missing something here. OP stated that he is already running an underdrive pulley (1st post), which I assume he's referencing the harmonic damper. Does the 10-rib kit have a non-stock diameter WP pulley? The underdrive damper would already be turning the WP slower. Slower speeds wouldn't cause cavitation. __________________ 745RWHP/634RWTQ on 93 @ 10psi 806/676 on E85 @ 10psi COTW 9/8/14

07-12-2021, 06:30 PM	#4
Omega Drives: G8 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 251	Sounds like you need a separate serpentine system for the Whipple... Which I'm not sure exists for the Camaro Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

07-13-2021, 02:39 PM	#9
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,181	I think most of us reading this have assumed that he is actually running an overdrive to spin the SC faster. I don't know why he would want to underdrive with a SC.

07-13-2021, 05:24 PM	#10
SoChrisB Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 597 View My Garage	I wrote it wrong. Definitely an overdrive pulley.

07-14-2021, 04:40 PM	#14
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,181	I would be surprised if the very short fraction of time that you are at max rpms that you could have enough cavitation to be a problem with probably a 10% overdrive pulley. How high are you revving?