I have a 93 Bronco w/351w. I'm looking at putting an electric water pump in and was wondering how they hold up compared to the mechanical ones.

 

I don't think they are intended for street use.

 

I did a little research since my answer to this question in the Bronco forum.

CSR does recommend their pumps for street use. They state that the pump motor should be replaced after 3500 hours or 60k miles of everyday use.

Meziere gives a lower life expectancy of 2500 hrs. No listed mileage that I could find.

Moroso: couldn't find any street recomendation. In my book, that means don't use it on the street.

There are others, but I stopped looking.

Additional thoughts:
Off road activities may be more stressfull to the pumps. Don't know.
If you like to play in deep water, I'd recommend against it. Electric fans can be turned off for that, but the water pump needs to keep running. Just because it pumps water, doesn't mean you can get it wet.

I'm still skeptical, but if you decide to try it: Use a brand that says street use is acceptable. Hook it up to a relay on an independent circuit (you don't want something else to blow a fuse and cause the pump to go out). They don't draw as many amps as I had thought, but it's still a good idea to make sure your electrical system is not going to be overworked. (You mentioned elect fans in the other forum? If so, definitely check things out before the water pump).

If possible, hook up a warning light that will inform you that the pump isn't working.

Most pumps do not include everything you'll need for installation. Check out the instructions for the pump before you buy it (usually adapters for hose connections and wiring related components -- nothing major, but I hate surprises).

Good luck either way.

 

Stick with the stock type belt driven unit. You just can't beat the reliability factor. Electric water pumps are for the track. Find a different way to free up some more ponies.

 

I don't think the electric pump turns fast enough. It has a set speed and doesn't increase with engine speed.

 

The only place I have seen the electric water pumps is at the drag strip. No alternator.

My question is why electric water pump on street? Your alternator is going to rob the H.P. your water pump used to be robbing. It might be O.K. if you added a switch to turn your alternator off for short periods of time when you needed a little extra power. I would go with a performance mechanical water pump with low resistance impellers.