Yes the elbow counts. Sounds and looks to me like the pump is cavitating. The inlet volute of the pump is too close to the 90° elbow. This causes turbulence, and a pressure differential at the inlet. Move the pump ~ 10" away from the elbow. In a non "straight shot" to the pump, I would also increase the inlet pipe to 1.25," that will reduce friction loss in the intake plumbing.
HTH,
Jim