Interest in a Alternator Relocation Bracket?
#26
Super Snuggles
Originally Posted by Mr. Stock
I, too, prefer this location since the primary reason why I am relocating the alternator is to decrease the center of gravity.
Seriously, how much effect do you think moving the alternator has on the overall center of gravity of the car? I'm sure it has some impact, but I wouldn't do it just for that reason.
Originally Posted by the_glass_man
For the weight weenies (myself included) you are losing some weight from the engine as the water pump housing weighs much more than a normal electric water pump.
More importantly, what's the effect on the rate of coolant flow? An electric pump typically outflows a mechanical belt-driven pump at low rpm, but at higher rpm, you can't get any more flow out of it than it's already delivering.
Also you are freeing up some extra horsepower by reducing parasitic drag.
With my setup you can set the pump to continue to run after you shut the vehicle off to reduce thermal stress and heat soak.
This is one reason why I'm not planning on using an electric water pump any longer. They're great for trailered race cars, lousy for the street. Make up the ~5-10 horsepower you'd gain some other way.
#27
Originally Posted by jimlab
Cut your head off and put it in your lap...
But for me it would not make such a big difference. I would still contemplate it if it were possible.
Originally Posted by jimlab
Seriously, how much effect do you think moving the alternator has on the overall center of gravity of the car? I'm sure it has some impact, but I wouldn't do it just for that reason.
#28
Hey guys. I was told you might be interested in an FD version of our alternator relocation brackets. I'm willing to try it if you're willing to buy it.
Someone asked about mounting it lower? Don't know what pictures you're looking at, but any lower and it would be under the car!
Reliability with the electric water pumps is, if anything, as good as mechanicals. The Davies Craig EWP has won the Le Mans 24 Hour race (GTS class, in a Ferarri 550) which speaks volumes for its reliability, not to mention a favorable trade-off between mechanical and electric load. Another thing I think is easily forgotten is that water pumping speed is NOT ideally matched to engine speed...at high RPMs you don't want that mechanical pump spinning so fast (cavitation) and once the radiator is maxed-out, faster coolant flow is detrimental to cooling. What you want is the *right* speed of coolant flow, which is independant of engine speed. I'm not saying EWPs are necessary nor are they the best thing for all people and applications, but in the world of car mods, it's not remotely in the realm of stupid things people do in the sake of performance. Race cars see real benefits, at any rate, so those people who like to make their street cars into race-like vehicles can't be faulted for wanting to emulate a sucessful setup. Just my $0.02.
I won't take deposits yet, but I will start some pre-production work, such as making a CAD file and getting some blanks laser-cut for test fitment. If you are happy with mild steel and powdercoating (or nothing), then the price will be similar to the other brackets ($50-85). If you want Cadmium coating or something else, it may go up. Same if you want 4130 Chromoly or Titanium or Inconel or... One thing is certain, however. They must all be the same because the quantity is so low. Perhaps unfinished is best, so you can all do your own thing? Let me know what your thoughts are and try to reach a consensus.
--
Blake Qualley
Pineapple Racing
Someone asked about mounting it lower? Don't know what pictures you're looking at, but any lower and it would be under the car!
Reliability with the electric water pumps is, if anything, as good as mechanicals. The Davies Craig EWP has won the Le Mans 24 Hour race (GTS class, in a Ferarri 550) which speaks volumes for its reliability, not to mention a favorable trade-off between mechanical and electric load. Another thing I think is easily forgotten is that water pumping speed is NOT ideally matched to engine speed...at high RPMs you don't want that mechanical pump spinning so fast (cavitation) and once the radiator is maxed-out, faster coolant flow is detrimental to cooling. What you want is the *right* speed of coolant flow, which is independant of engine speed. I'm not saying EWPs are necessary nor are they the best thing for all people and applications, but in the world of car mods, it's not remotely in the realm of stupid things people do in the sake of performance. Race cars see real benefits, at any rate, so those people who like to make their street cars into race-like vehicles can't be faulted for wanting to emulate a sucessful setup. Just my $0.02.
I won't take deposits yet, but I will start some pre-production work, such as making a CAD file and getting some blanks laser-cut for test fitment. If you are happy with mild steel and powdercoating (or nothing), then the price will be similar to the other brackets ($50-85). If you want Cadmium coating or something else, it may go up. Same if you want 4130 Chromoly or Titanium or Inconel or... One thing is certain, however. They must all be the same because the quantity is so low. Perhaps unfinished is best, so you can all do your own thing? Let me know what your thoughts are and try to reach a consensus.
--
Blake Qualley
Pineapple Racing
#30
2/4 wheel cornering fiend
Originally Posted by Blake
Race cars see real benefits, at any rate, so those people who like to make their street cars into race-like vehicles can't be faulted for wanting to emulate a sucessful setup.
Originally Posted by Blake
Reliability with the electric water pumps is, if anything, as good as mechanicals. The Davies Craig EWP has won the Le Mans 24 Hour race (GTS class, in a Ferarri 550) which speaks volumes for its reliability, not to mention a favorable trade-off between mechanical and electric load.
Originally Posted by Blake
Another thing I think is easily forgotten is that water pumping speed is NOT ideally matched to engine speed...at high RPMs you don't want that mechanical pump spinning so fast (cavitation) and once the radiator is maxed-out, faster coolant flow is detrimental to cooling. What you want is the *right* speed of coolant flow, which is independant of engine speed.
Originally Posted by Blake
I'm not saying EWPs are necessary nor are they the best thing for all people and applications, but in the world of car mods, it's not remotely in the realm of stupid things people do in the sake of performance. Just my $0.02.
#31
Polishing Fiend
iTrader: (139)
I love the idea in principle of relocating the Alt but IMO it's a heck of a lot of effort AND expense (bracket, epump, block outlet, hoses, fittings, wiring, alternator(?), etc.) for not a whole lot of gain, and added potential for failure (The OEM mechanical pump is dead reliable and rarely prone to catastrophic failure, ie. it doesn't just STOPS working). Not that my opinion counts for much these days anyway.
Pure race car/track car maybe but for a street driver, nah.
Crispy
Pure race car/track car maybe but for a street driver, nah.
Crispy
#32
Super Snuggles
Originally Posted by Blake
Reliability with the electric water pumps is, if anything, as good as mechanicals. The Davies Craig EWP has won the Le Mans 24 Hour race...
Just fair warning for anyone considering this swap. This isn't something to go into without a full set of facts for consideration. In fact, this is one reason why I sold my 396 short block. I no longer had the option of running a mechanical pump with that configuration.
#33
Originally Posted by jimlab
I'd weigh them both before claiming a weight loss benefit. The stock water pump isn't exceptionally heavy and a reasonable sized electric motor usually is.
http://daviescraig.com.au/main/display.asp?pid=8
I haven't weighed the water pump with the water pump/thermostat housing, but can safely say it weighs significantly more than the water pump and aluminum housing adapter.
#34
SINFUL7
iTrader: (37)
Originally Posted by jimlab
Not to pick a fight (honestly), but 24 hours of operation during a race isn't comparable to what an electric pump would go through in a street car. The Meziere and CSI electric pumps are rated for 2,000-2,500 hours of service, but people have had them fail far sooner, and they go without warning. People have tried to create LED indicators that light when the pump stops flowing, but I haven't seen a satisfactory "early warning" solution yet, and once the pump is gone, you're done. With a mechanical pump, at least you can usually limp to where you were going.
Just fair warning for anyone considering this swap. This isn't something to go into without a full set of facts for consideration. In fact, this is one reason why I sold my 396 short block. I no longer had the option of running a mechanical pump with that configuration.
Just fair warning for anyone considering this swap. This isn't something to go into without a full set of facts for consideration. In fact, this is one reason why I sold my 396 short block. I no longer had the option of running a mechanical pump with that configuration.
#35
Originally Posted by KaiFD3S
I'm with jim on this one, why would you want to spend money on this mod and have the worry of the pump going out with no warning and the chance of overheating your motor and spending more money on a rebuild, also not many people would want to take their p/s and a/c just to do this mod when the stock water pump is fine.
#37
Hey, where did my $$$ go?
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Got a question glassman....does it bolt up to the ps/ac bracket or to the actual engine?
I would like it to bolt to the actual engine and be down around the ac location.
I dont know what they have in mind, but that is my preferance. Let me know the details when you find out. I need this for my water pump conversion. I havent had time to fab my own.
Stephen
I would like it to bolt to the actual engine and be down around the ac location.
I dont know what they have in mind, but that is my preferance. Let me know the details when you find out. I need this for my water pump conversion. I havent had time to fab my own.
Stephen
#38
Originally Posted by SPOautos
Got a question glassman....does it bolt up to the ps/ac bracket or to the actual engine?
I would like it to bolt to the actual engine and be down around the ac location.
I dont know what they have in mind, but that is my preferance. Let me know the details when you find out. I need this for my water pump conversion. I havent had time to fab my own.
Stephen
I would like it to bolt to the actual engine and be down around the ac location.
I dont know what they have in mind, but that is my preferance. Let me know the details when you find out. I need this for my water pump conversion. I havent had time to fab my own.
Stephen