Just started the install of a 2.3L Whipple in my Yukon. I plan on pinning the crank and have the kit, but is it necessary to weld the water pump pulley any time you boost via belt drive? I see various comments, some saying really only needed with 8 rib and up. Engine is a bone stock 6.2L, and I doubt I can/will go much smaller on pulley size any time soon, until other mods are made. I also won't be turning over 6,000 rpm. Is there a general consensus?

 

I’ve always done it only when going 8 rib but I’ve seen others have issues.

 

I would do it with any amount of boost, but I have a welder so it takes all of 3 minutes.

 

Hey guys should I do this on my 14?

 

How lucky are you feeling?

 

Something to consider... Whether or not the water pump is before or after the the blower and the crank in the belt routing. A lot of kits (probably Whipple too) has it between the blower and the crank so it see's all that belt loading of the supercharger. On my LSA drive kit, the water pump is before the blower and after the the crank so it's on the slack side of the belt setup. But I welded the pulley anyway, lol. 15-17 lbs of boost on a 5.3 is a lot of stress on a 6 rib belt,

 

Thanks I'm gonna check it out now even on low boost.

 

Doesn't someone make a nut kit so you don't have to worry about wedding it? I switched mine too Electric fans so my water pump is threaded.

 

The nut is just a cover for the threads. The pulley is pressed on. Only other way from welding it would be pin it or cut a keyway.

 

Thanks everyone, I ordered a new OE water pump and will weld it before installing. I think the pump is original anyways, over 100k miles.

I thought about this some more and another thing to consider with belt loading is that, now that you will be boosted, your rpm is going to climb at a much faster rate. Especially with a PD blower at lower rpm. So not only do you have the increase in belt loading, you are putting much more torque through it as your rpm climb rate goes up (hopefully a LOT!).