Hmmm....
Seems to me the electric water pump is more like an oil change.
I am sure CSR Performance did their testing and it seems to go against the 60 mph numbers, but I understand the point.
3500 hours or 50,000 miles. I have not seen an OEM water pump with that short of a lifespan.
Buy an OEM water pump and you get OEM quality.
Mechanical pumps are going to "fault" more on high performance engines. I believe many forget that a belt-driven water pump is going to see more strain on high performance engines, pushing 2x (plus) more power than from the factory.
A mechanical pump can be rebuilt as well.
I would rather save a few horsepower and put the extra $350 somewhere else, and keep my electrical system happier.
This thread has enlightened me into looking into an electric water pump. I still am not buying how one needs all this water flow at idle, if you have a fan to back it up. If you do not have a good coolant system to begin with, I believe that needs to be changed first.
As the revs get higher, so does heat. Thus, a mechanical pumps linearness (I am making up words too), comes into affect.
Mustang5L5 listed somethings I did not think about as well.
If the EWP shorts out or the motor goes out like a light bulb, you are up a creek, without a paddle.
In my experience, a mechanical pump tends to give signs of failure when it does start wearing out.
Keep the comments coming; I am enjoying the conversation. I will admit, I have considered the EWP more, but I am not sold on them for a daily driver with a 15-20 year old electrical system.
Edit: Does the backing plate need to be purchased seperately from CSR as well for the EWP?