ok, so a remanufactured AL waterpump will run me about 20-30 bucks, and a new high volume unit will be anywhere from 80-200. the engine is a mild cammed 302 with aluminum heads.
any reason that i shouldnt just get the cheap one? will i have more issues with overheating?
cheap one....a stock waterpump will cool a modded motor if everything else is in good shape and you've got a decent sized radiator. BTW backer-less aluminum pumps WILL NOT work on a newer timing cover with a backered waterpump.
FWIW...I bought a name-brand high-volume aluminum pump from Summit a while back for ~$100, it had no logo on it and said "Made in Japan" (might have been China, not 100% sure) on it. Seemed just like the one from the local parts store for $39.95 to me.
A couple years ago I had to replace the water pumps in my Suburban, my work truck and My '88 GT all in about a two week span. Weird. Anyway, I bought the lifetime guarantee unit (new) from Kragen for all of them (around $50 each) and haven't been sorry. We use the Suburban for towing and it has yet to see anywhere near 200 degrees. I bought the one for my '68 from them as well, but it hasn't overheated because I haven't started it yet...