Decision On Electric Waterpump
Turbo Mini Forums

I started the new job last week so I will soon have enough money to complete the turbo project. I am still trying to make some final decisions on spec (mainly cooling, diff and drop gears).

I have recently been trying to decide weather or not to fit an electric waterpump. After spending a couple of hours reading up on the subject I havn't really found definitive answers to some of my questions.

My plan is to use:
a front mounted rad
closed loop system with an expansion tank
elctric fan with a good cowling
no mechanical pump
no mechanical fan
no heater matrix
electric pump controlled by a thermostatical switch
Non water cooled turbo

Will this system be sufficient to keep my engine cool?

I could not find a recommended flow rate for a suitable pump but 15l/min seems to be a reasonable estimate of a minimum requirement. Is this an OK assumption? Did AlexF ever complete his testing to determine a flow rate for the mechanical pump? Obviously it is difficult to compare a speed dependant mechanical pump with a constant flow electric pump though.

I also read that these electric pumps do not like big flow restrictions so a different thermostat is needed. An inline capilliary thermostat, whatever that is. Can anyone confirm this and give me some info on these thermostats?

The car will be a daily driver so will see some traffic.

EDIT: It's late and I made a stupid mistake

Edited by GaryOS on 13th Apr, 2009.

On 12th Nov, 2009 Paul S said:

I think Gary OS has taken over my role as the forum smart arse

If you have a look at Colin (Sprokets build) you'll see a rather nice external thermostat with a bypass.

I can't advise any more than that other than say have a good look and Dave & Colin's posts on the subject.

Thanks Rob. I did see Colin's thermostat. I think it was in his "Space Management" thread.

I started to read up on Dave's work. Te first thread I read was whilst he was still using the mechanical pump. He also mentioned removing the impellor so he must have done more work on the subject. I will have to read that thread properly

On 12th Nov, 2009 Paul S said:

I think Gary OS has taken over my role as the forum smart arse

I used an electric pump with a Metro Turbo rad up front & it worked fine. If you use the control box to control the temp, then you don't need a thermostat.
In fact i have a Davies Craig control box which is almost like new, the only thing is the variable resistor to control it has broken off the circuit board. It should be fairly easy to fix if you're any good at soldering. PM me if you're interested.

WWW.TURBO-MINI.COM

Thanks Phil, that would be a neat solution to controlling temp. I will PM you tomorrow

On 12th Nov, 2009 Paul S said:

I think Gary OS has taken over my role as the forum smart arse

May I have 2nd dibs on the controller if GaryOS does not require it.

Si

I drill holes in everything..!

I ended up dropping the front mount rad for some heavy traffic sensability

But, I still use an external thermostat. It is different again to the one shown on the space management thread. The one I use now is from an Aprila motorcycle, runs at 75c, a little cooler than I had liked, but it is very compact and uses hose sizes more suited to the mini. Its worth a look, nice and cheap on ebay.

Here's the pics of the controller I used.

Edited by Turbo Phil on 19th Apr, 2009.

WWW.TURBO-MINI.COM

Did GaryOS take this off your hands Phil..?

If not I'm still in need of one.

Si

I drill holes in everything..!

I think he's having it, if not it's yours. :)

WWW.TURBO-MINI.COM

Cheers Phil.

Si

I drill holes in everything..!

PM'd Phil

Edited by GaryOS on 19th Apr, 2009.

On 12th Nov, 2009 Paul S said:

I think Gary OS has taken over my role as the forum smart arse

Get yourself sorted with a meziere pump 80ltr/min. They are the nuts...I barely have to use my electric fan!

Im running a chinq front rad and 80 degree external bypass thermostat. Im also cooling the turbo with this sytem, have no heater matrix, and no mechanical fan.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fusion-Fabri..._homepage_panel

www.fusionfabs.co.uk



1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

Matty, that's the decicion maker so :) I won't even be putting out half the power that you are so my proposed spec should be spot on. I will be using a cinq rad. They go for pennies on ebay!

On 12th Nov, 2009 Paul S said:

I think Gary OS has taken over my role as the forum smart arse

Is this the one Matty?

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.a...15&autoview=sku

On 12th Nov, 2009 Paul S said:

I think Gary OS has taken over my role as the forum smart arse

Yep thats the one!

And this is how I have it plumbed in...

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fusion-Fabri..._homepage_panel

www.fusionfabs.co.uk



1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

I made up a quick diagram of a proposed cooling system. Is it plumbed correctly? The bit I am most concerned about is the expansion tank. Will the pump simply empty the expansion tank and run dry?



EDIT: Bastard paint cropped some of my image. There is supposed to be a blue line running from the expansion tank to the inlet side of the pump. I will ammend it later tonight

Edited by GaryOS on 28th Apr, 2009.

On 12th Nov, 2009 Paul S said:

I think Gary OS has taken over my role as the forum smart arse

Pic Fixed:

Edited by GaryOS on 26th Feb, 2010.

On 12th Nov, 2009 Paul S said:

I think Gary OS has taken over my role as the forum smart arse

That looks spot on dood, there is no fear of the pump running dry. As long as the level of water in the expansion bottle is higher than the taping you have going to the suction side of the pump. as the system fills it will eventually push water out the overflow into the top of the bottle thus filling the expansion bottle and then down back into the pump.

bit of a thread excavation, but Ive been looking at bypass thermostats with 25mm pipes, and although colin has ditched this for the mini one, ive found that there is an 85°c version,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thermostat-Valve...p0AAOSwbwJaRN7m

65°c is Aprillia part no 8102614, 75°c part no 848140 and 85°c is part 834232,

theres also a 75° one with a replaceable cartriage,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Genuine-Apri...353.m1438.l2649

On 14th Apr, 2009 Sprocket said:
I ended up dropping the front mount rad for some heavy traffic sensability

But, I still use an external thermostat. It is different again to the one shown on the space management thread. The one I use now is from an Aprila motorcycle, runs at 75c, a little cooler than I had liked, but it is very compact and uses hose sizes more suited to the mini. Its worth a look, nice and cheap on ebay.

Good find Joe. Wonder what happened to Gary OS ?

Phil.

WWW.TURBO-MINI.COM

yeah, I randomly happend upon him on a bike forum a few years back.

LOL! i thought there was a 90° one but couldnt find it!

I copied off the smart kid and used a mini thermostat housing. Seems you can buy a mini thermostat anywhere in the world (even the USA as it’s the same size as the SBC) and I don’t want to be caught with my pants down waiting for something to arrive from Amazon...