In our July 2005 issue we talked about controlling underhood temperatures and how lower temperatures can result in increased horsepower production. The use of larger, more efficient radiators, cooling additives, thermal wraps and coatings can and do dramatically reduce radiating heat from absorbing into crucial components that can increase wear and tear on your engine.
Besides utilizing coatings and more efficient radiators for increased cooling, another way for better engine cooling is to add an electric water pump. Meziere Enterprises based in Escondido, Calif., has been developing electric water pump kits for domestic vehicles for years but has recently seen a need for similar systems for import vehicles. The company's first import kit was for the ever-so-popular B-series Honda engine.
Anyone familiar to the B-series engine knows the factory water pump runs off of the timing belt. The B-series water pump requires energy to turn when the cooling system is filled with liquid. The blades are attached to the water pump pulley draw the liquid through the system in a closed-loop circuit. The volume flow directly corresponds to the engine's rpm. The higher the engine's rpm the more flow the cooling system realizes. The factory B-series pump generates roughly 2.3 gpm (gallon per minute) at idle, about 20 gpm at 3200 rpm, and maxing out at roughly at 30 gpm at redline. However, directly linked to the increased flow from the raised engine's rpm is the increased drag caused by the water pump trying to push all the liquid through the system.
The Meziere water pump increases the performance output of the engine by eliminating the parasitic drag caused by the stock pump. Dyno testing has shown an increase of up to six horsepower to the wheels on a Dynojet chassis dyno. More importantly, the Meziere electric pump generates 20 gpm of flow from the moment the pump is turned on.
The Meziere kit is also great for enthusiasts who drive their vehicles on the track. Since the engine does not have to be running for the pump to work just flip the switch to decrease the cool-down time between track sessions.
The kit comes with all the necessary hardware for a complete installation and comes in both 19- and 22-tooth configurations depending on the type of B-series it will go on. Meziere also offers kits for the H-series, SR20 and 2JZ engines.
Finally, a way to reduce drag on the engine, increase horsepower and get better cooling. Meziere electric water pumps have already found homes on the engines of many top name racers. Meziere water pumps are not just for racers anymore but for any performance enthusiasts who care about their engine and want maximum performance.