do you have any suggestions as to what type of water pump i should buy or if i need anything beyond stock? i dont plan on going much beyond stage 2 with mods but i also dont know much about timing belts either
Read the post at the top of this forum titled Maintenance FAQ. It's a water pump, not a Jarvik 7 artificial heart....replace it with a squirrel on a treadmill....its carries 0 importance in the grand scheme of things.
As per Unabomber. Read up on the FAQ. Meaty has a great DIY for doing the timng belt change up and doing the water pump while everything is out is a snap. OEM or the Gates kit can be found almost anywhere selling scoobie stuff and usually not all that expensive ($265-$290) for the full kit.
Like everyone else has said, a kit is def the easiest and most economical route to take. You'll get everything you could possibly need in one box. Can't beat that