Water pump is dyin' on me
Its time to replace the water pump, and I was wondering if I should just do the Opti with it. I have 87400 on the Z now. I was looking at gm replacements on summit, water pump=185.99 and the Opti=289.99. I called pepboys and they have water pumps for 125 new and rebuilt for 80. I didnt ask if they had Opti's. I just need some advice on what I should do here. Gracias!
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1996 Z-28 6 speed, Airfoil, K&N FIPK, Flowmaster muffler, Motive 3.73 gears, BBK shorty headers, cut-out, LS1 Driveshaft, no power options (Rare), Prothane tranny mount, MSD 8.5mm wires, Accel U-Groove Plugs, Chrome hurst short throw, TB Bypass, ES Torque arm mount, BMR subframe connectors (weld-in), Lt4 Knock Module, Descreened MAF, '02 SS wheels, Pioneer HU, MTX & JL amps, 2 12" JBL's, T-Top Conversion!
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Have you thought about electric? Summit has an LT1 elec. water pump kit rated for 1000 hrs....longest of them all and cheapest too. Otherwise, I'd say its up to you and how much you trust Pep Boys. I, personally, would go through Summit...too many bad experiences with Pep Boys. Good luck on your decision.Steve
79 FSJ - most expensive AMC Jeep ever
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87 GN - its just a 6...
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93 Z28 - slightly tweaked
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http://home.comcast.net/~budlopez
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I would stick with GM stuff and see if maybe you can get a Stewart or if GMPerformance has a highflow waterpump. I would also do the opti since you are there. I always try to do what I need to do it once and better than stock if possible97 TA, M6, JBA ceramic coated headers, Borla Cat-back exhaust, 1.6 RR, 160 Thermo, LT4 knock sensor, CAI, Bils, Hotchkis all around, GT rotors, B&M shifter, Magnecor wires, Granatelli MAF
In the shop LT4 Intake and heads.Comment
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Since it's my daily driver would electric be ok, and does the water pump and Opti come with the hardware needed to install, or do I have to buy new seals and gaskets seperate?1996 Z-28 6 speed, Airfoil, K&N FIPK, Flowmaster muffler, Motive 3.73 gears, BBK shorty headers, cut-out, LS1 Driveshaft, no power options (Rare), Prothane tranny mount, MSD 8.5mm wires, Accel U-Groove Plugs, Chrome hurst short throw, TB Bypass, ES Torque arm mount, BMR subframe connectors (weld-in), Lt4 Knock Module, Descreened MAF, '02 SS wheels, Pioneer HU, MTX & JL amps, 2 12" JBL's, T-Top Conversion!
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I know when I bought a water pump for my 3rd gen car it came with the gaskets. If not they can easily be had.97 TA, M6, JBA ceramic coated headers, Borla Cat-back exhaust, 1.6 RR, 160 Thermo, LT4 knock sensor, CAI, Bils, Hotchkis all around, GT rotors, B&M shifter, Magnecor wires, Granatelli MAF
In the shop LT4 Intake and heads.Comment
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I did the Pep Boys rebuilt pump at $75, it does have a lifetime warranty, so YOU get to replace it every 75,000 miles.
Fred recommended staying with the mechanical pump..... the rpm of the pump won't vary with the electric, the mechanical will pump more at higher rpm.
To stave off the next leak, I've drilled the pump's weep hole to 3/16", inserted/glued a plastic 90 deg. hose elbow in, and ran a couple of feet of 3/16" vacum hose over to the steering rack and wire tied it there. Now when (not if) it fails again, it will keep the coolant off the opti, and to a more noticeable spot.
There ja go!
The Old Guy! '94 z-28, m-6, t-tops, go-fast red, 316k. Now with '96 engine w/ Lt-4 hot cam, roller rockers, heavy duty timing chain, and Spec stage 2 clutch.
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Hey
I just spent the last two weeks dealing with the dead waterpump in my LT1. Yes I would definatly replace the optispark unit as a whole while in there.
I could send you pictures of my Opti with 56,000 miles on it. The electrodes were pretty coroded. I bought a new cap, rotor, and optical portion from Advance Auto, and screwed it all together. Lifetime warranty. $200
I also bought a brand new water pump from Advance Auto. $120. Lifetime warranty, brand new pump too, not a remanufactured one.
I bought a new seal for timing cover for both the opti and the waterpump drive shaft. Both of these are at the dealership, about $25 for both of them.
I bought a new Oring for the waterpump drive shaft, about $2 at the dealership.
Other than that you should be ok. Follow my other post on how to get the seal out, I even included a picture.
Although I haven't driven the car yet, I started it up last nite on the stands, and it fired instantly, and it idles as smooth as it did when it was new. A heck of a lot smoother than it did before the opti replacement so I am glad I did it. I can't wait to take it out for a drive after I put some coolant in it tonight!
...TimComment
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I have an electric pump (meziere) in my car, which is practically daily driven in the summer. The pump has lasted a long time. It did quit on me once and I fried the head gaskets, but that was due to a bad electrical connection. I took the pump apart, soldered the connection, cleaned the brushes and it still works great. Its over 4 years old.Originally posted by blackthunder5096 WS6 Formula: Ram Air, 383 Stroker, Ported LT4 Heads and Manifold, 1.6 Crane Rollers, 58MM T.B., AS&M Headers, Borla Exhaust, Meziere Elec. H2O Pump, Canton Deep Sump Oil Pan, 100 HP OF TNT N2O!! , T56 Conversion w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, SPEC Stage 3 Clutch, Hotchkiss Subframe Conn., Lakewood Adj. Panhard Bar, Spohn Adj. LCA's, BMR Adj. T.A., Custom 12 bolt w/ 3:73's, Moser Axles, Eaton Posi, Moser Girdle
11.6 @ 123mph (1.6 60' - getting there
)
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Thanks for the info, looks like this week ill get the new pump and opti and install them, I will most likely go with the pepboys rebuilt one and the gm opti. Will my car restore some lost power due to the old opti, or just run nicer?1996 Z-28 6 speed, Airfoil, K&N FIPK, Flowmaster muffler, Motive 3.73 gears, BBK shorty headers, cut-out, LS1 Driveshaft, no power options (Rare), Prothane tranny mount, MSD 8.5mm wires, Accel U-Groove Plugs, Chrome hurst short throw, TB Bypass, ES Torque arm mount, BMR subframe connectors (weld-in), Lt4 Knock Module, Descreened MAF, '02 SS wheels, Pioneer HU, MTX & JL amps, 2 12" JBL's, T-Top Conversion!
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If you are going to replace the Opti. Get it from Dal Slabaugh @ Van Devere Pontiac Buick Olds. 1-800-362-9494 I just got one from him a couple of weeks ago, Best price you'll find on genuine GM! Just over $200 Call Him!1997 30th Anniversary Z28. Artic White with Hugger Orange Stripes. T-Tops, K&N Cold Air Intake, Mac Headers & High Flow Cats,Flowmaster Cat Back. Auto W/B&M Shifter Plus. Drilled And Slotted Rotors. Steel Braded Brake Lines. Alpine CD/MP3, JL Audio Stealth Box.Comment
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Originally posted by 97 Zee
I will order from him, thanks alot!1996 Z-28 6 speed, Airfoil, K&N FIPK, Flowmaster muffler, Motive 3.73 gears, BBK shorty headers, cut-out, LS1 Driveshaft, no power options (Rare), Prothane tranny mount, MSD 8.5mm wires, Accel U-Groove Plugs, Chrome hurst short throw, TB Bypass, ES Torque arm mount, BMR subframe connectors (weld-in), Lt4 Knock Module, Descreened MAF, '02 SS wheels, Pioneer HU, MTX & JL amps, 2 12" JBL's, T-Top Conversion!
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Ya
You should notice more power and smoother running, depending on how much time you have on your old opti. Its still a cap and rotor system just like the old distributer cap days. The terminals in there get eaten away by the constant sparking, and they corode up also. Too bad this cap and rotor replacement is so expensive! hah I liked the days of replacing the two of them for $10.
...TimComment
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