cal1

A couple weeks ago, I bought a belt wrap kit from Shardul. When I took the kit to my indy to have it installed, they noticed that a necessary mounting point on the water pump was broken off. This likely happened when an SC belt grenaded a few years back and we just never noticed as the pump was still fine.

I bought a used pump and am now second guessing myself about that decision. Apparently a true OEM pump runs about $500. There are any number of pumps that would appear to work for much less. I am not sure how good these pumps are and if they will have the mounting point for the BWK. I also have seen discussion on the net that OEM pumps are hard to get because they just don't seem to fail and are not stocked which takes me back to thinking used again.

Thoughts and comments greatly appreciated.

211.070

This is not a component that I would cheap out on. The factory units are built to last. Mine has over 100K on it and has no shaft play at all.

cal1

I don't disagree, but on the other hand consider the pump itself. It is a piece of cast aluminum with a very simple steel impeller on one end of the shaft and a pulley on the other. The only thing I can see that would wear out is the bearing. I would not be surprised to find the same nachi bearing on both a true OEM and much cheaper after market. That said, I still agree with you that keeping our hot running motors cool is a big deal especially when the are modded and this takes me back to brand new OEM.

211.070

Quality of the aluminum, steel shaft, seals, and impeller. Those are the other components that would be questionable with an aftermarket unit.