Vital Velocity
Viper Owner
The gasket is bad on my water pump so im going to go ahead and put a new pump on.....is there a high performance (or better one) that i should be looking at?
Is there a better water pump to install?
- Thread starter Vital Velocity
- Start date
Viper Wizard
Enthusiast
Not that I know of?
914-763-3136
914-763-3136
dave6666
Enthusiast
PhoenixGTS
Enthusiast
I have an overdrive pump I got from West Coast Vipers years ago. It has a smaller pulley (smaller enough that you need a shorter serpentine belt) so it spins faster. Great combo with my underdrive crank pulley. Bad news is I remember not being able to find it when I looked a year or two ago. Give them or DC Performance a call and see if they know the source or are doing a new version.
Vital Velocity
Viper Owner
So realistically, if i cant get one from them, just pick one up from autozone?
dave6666
Enthusiast
What are they?
I should have made sure Archer is a sponsor here before posting that. Last time I posted about a non-sponsor, it was deleted.
01 RT SNAKE
Enthusiast
Holy Cow! Would you really put an Autozone pump on your Viper or just being sarcastic? I'm guessing you're kidding.
just changed mine out with one from rock auto. Cost $130 bucks, you can see the improved shaft design over the p.o.s oem. My oem melted down at autocross last wk. Why pay more than you need to. The original did last over 55,000 miles so why should I complain. But I wont pay 400+ for oem pump again....
Call the man in Post #2 first.
Vital Velocity
Viper Owner
I was being serious....its not like the OEM pump has proven to be rock solid
Ill call post number 2 today
jk
Enthusiast
I bought a replacement water pump a few years ago from Archer in Fort Worth (when he was still there). Metal vanes, seemed a lot better built then the OEM. No problems. Not sure where they were manufactured or if still available. Might check PartsRack. JonB would know if anything is available.
dave6666
Enthusiast
PST out at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson bought all of Archer's loot from the auction. Might check with Dave out there to see what he knows...
01 RT SNAKE
Enthusiast
The reason I was shocked about the Autozone comment is a lot of their stuff is simply remanufactured crap. Something goes wrong with a part, you bring it back, they replace what's broken and they re-sell it. That's why starters, alternators, water pumps, etc. have such a great warranty...because every year or two you're bringing it back to have it replaced. Been there, done that.
Bobby Archer is (was) in Texas and John Archer is in MN or Wisc. When Mumford got his ACR, we took it to Buttonwillow and after a couple days on the track, the brake pads were wasted on all four corners of the car. I tore the car apart, gave Paul the old pads and sent him into town for replacements. He comes back with an Autozone box and a smile. "They're the same pad as a T-Bird" he said. "And we can take them back and get new ones for free with the lifetime warranty!" He was so excited. I just laughed and then realized I'd be changing pads every week.Buy quality the first time.
dave6666
Enthusiast
Changing a water pump on a Viper every year because it's crap but you got a good price and a good warranty blows if you ask me. Buy OEM.
Vital Velocity
Viper Owner
But arent the OEM pumps known to be trash?
dave6666
Enthusiast
First I've heard that short of a few 2001 pump issues.
There were some defective pumps on the '01's where the impeller stops spinning at high RPMs. Just happened to me and after talking with Tator I got a new OEM pump and finished the install yesterday. Chuck has never given me bad advice and the price was right.
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
OEM has worked great for me.
EllowViper
Enthusiast
My '01 "OEM" gave it up at around 14K miles. Replaced with "new" aftermarket from Pep boyz, autozone, or advanced...can't remember. What I did notice is that the new pump ($200.00 +/-) had the casting numbers ground off where the OEM numbers were. I thought that kinda funny. Made me think that the pump came from the OEM manufacturer and the reseller simply erases the OEM part number and sells as their own "new" replacement part. Don't know...not into the underground world of parts retailers....but its worked great for over 20k miles.
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
01 was the year of some defective water pumps. I believe there was a recall for them but I'm not sure.
I remember replacing an Advance Auto rebuild alternator twice on a Ford ****** years ago. That set my opinion of those types of auto parts stores.
Vital Velocity
Viper Owner
So after taking the time to change the water pump and radiator i go to bleed the system so i can take it out for a spin.....and the damn thermostat is bad!!!!
Blah....hopefully this week ill get her up and running
Blah....hopefully this week ill get her up and running
eucharistos
Enthusiast
did you burp 
01ACR/VIPER
Enthusiast
Sweet Ride
Enthusiast
GTS Bruce
Enthusiast
Caution. Rebuilt VS remanufactured. Rebuilt means simply fixed the defective issue. Reman means totaly gone through and brought up to oem new specs. Rebuilt means make the sign of the cross over it and hope it gets you out of the parking lot before another aspect fails. GTS Bruce
