jacal128

Started a topend refresh to correct some PO attempts, decided it was such a mess I better check the timing belt and water pump ( he said he replaced them already ). The timing belt looked new but the water pump was original. Good thing because the pully on the pump was making a slight grinding noise. My question is with all the water pumps availiable ranging from $85.00 to $500.00 what one would be the best money for the service? Like most people I want a good product but am on a budget. Also while I am in there I am rebuilding the tensioner, new o-rings for the oil pump, new Gates t-belt, and what ever else. I am also deleting the air pump but going to use it as a tensioner for the fan, good idea or bad? Thanks Jack

blown 87

Hey Griffin Ga, just down the road from you Senioa/Sharpsburg.

You have really only a couple of choices at this point, but I am not going to put anything but a plastic impeller one in mine until the problems get fixed with the WP's.

You will get different views from folks here.

Lizard928

It really boils down to your personal opinion.

.1% chance is not that high of a failure on a rebuilt which is what I use on my cars.

Mrmerlin

Roger at 928srus.com has nice brand new Lasos not rebuilts, I put one on my yellow car and all seems good. The pump was a very nice part BTW

blown 87

And were off.

Calgary Ole

Ok I'll bite. My water pump is going back in to service with my new timing belt unless it has some grinding noise or other issues when removed.

blown 87

These "Which is Best?" threads always seem to go downhill at some point.

GregBBRD

We've drug this water pump thing down the street and around the block too many times.

You've got two basic choices, right now:

Late style Laso and New Factory Porsche pump. The Laso is roughtly 1/3 the price of a Porsche pump. It has a metal impeller. The Porsche pump has a plastic impeller. If anything goes wrong, the Porsche pump will not damage your block.

Roger and 928 International both sell the Laso. I've seen nor heard of any problems with this current generation of Laso pumps.

blown 87

Some of us have had the water pump drag us around the block, yourself included.

JHowell37

I have a current generation Laso. I had a previous generation Laso that I put 45K miles on without incident.

ROG100

The NEW Laso with the PLASTIC IMPELLER is in production as we speak.
I hope that it will give us the best choice - new pump with plastic impeller at a reasonable price.

Greg is 100% right the only 100% choice is the Porsche pump but at circa $800 is not within everyones grasp. The Laso gives a good cost effective alternative but has a metal impeller which in extreme worst case situations could cause damage to the block.

H2

Rog,

Is Laso taking any special precautions (extraordinary, that is) to attach the plastic impeller so that it's tighter than the competition?

Thanks,

H2

Mrmerlin

I would guess that most of the damaged blocks come from rebuilt pumps being installed and then the bearing housing slipping or from over tightened belts

blown 87

Mine was a new Lasso, as well and Greg Browns.

Landseer

I have a new casting, not rebuilt, Lasso in an 85. Hard to imagine it failing in the manner reported for used/rebuilt pumps. After about 3000 miles I had to pull the timing tensioner for a second inspection. For kicks, took a look at the pump. Pump spun beautifully, no play, not that its a scientific test, but it gave me peace of mind. (At the same time, I had been running a tad hot on the gauge / turned out to be exhaust constriction, totally unrelated).

Next one I buy will be new Lasso with plastic impeller, unless Porsche reduces its price dramatically.