electric fans
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by Commo
Just curious, but if electric fans are such a winner why aren't they either an option or standard on vehicles? My VTX1300 has one but its a motorcycle.
Its really a cost issue, they are considerably morre expensive than a fan/cluth set up.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Santee, CA
I agree, the automakers aren't going to go to all the trouble of changing their design to save the customer 5 HP if it costs an extra $10/ vehicle. If you want a cheaper option, by the way, head to a wrecking yard and remove the entire fan & shroud assembly from a front-wheel drive car that will fit your radiator. It'll probably cost you one-third that of an aftermarket one from the parts store.
.....Could you imagine a crankshaft-mounted fan on a motorcycle? It would keep your leg cool at least, since it too is tranversely mounted.....
.....Could you imagine a crankshaft-mounted fan on a motorcycle? It would keep your leg cool at least, since it too is tranversely mounted.....
Last edited by rebturtle; Jun 29, 2004 at 05:56 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,161
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From: Prince George, B.C.
2 Speed Electric fans from a Dodge Viper are a good way to go, or so I am told, wire it for low speed as needed while driving with no A/C and have it kick on High speed when the A/C is on.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Actually the OEM's would jump on 5HP for $10. Electric fans are only more efficient if they are computer controlled. They are great if you are drag racing or in water crossings because you can turn them off during the run or while in the water. Otherwise they are complex and prone to failure. Many aftermarket units have very poor mounting methods. OEM wiring is usually OK but the aftermarket wiring is sub-standard. Claims of 10+ HP gains are off-base because it takes very few HP to drive the stock clutch fan.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 76
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From: North Florida
Read "Sport Truck" mag. article on an f150 install w/ Flex-a-lite #270. They dynoed before and after and found about 10 hp. Their overall impression was pretty good.
BTW i think it was from a couple or three months ago. I'll get back.
BTW i think it was from a couple or three months ago. I'll get back.
Last edited by claynewt; Jul 26, 2004 at 09:37 PM.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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Yeah, but like I said they are not getting the true HP figures for real life driving. You just can't get that on a stationary dyno during the few seconds of a dyno run. Flex-a-lite probably "sponsored" that tech article. There are many of those in magazines. Take anything they say with that big lump of salt. They are there to sell product and empty your wallet.
New User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Marion, Texas
How about this. A new dual electric fan setup is running about $400, and a single fan universal is about $100. Am I correct in supposing that the single electric fan will operate sufficiently enough to keep the engine cool since the stock mounted fan is a single fan, or do they not flow enough air and the dual fan should be used?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Santee, CA
It depends on the size of the fan, and how much cooling you need. Since a radiator is somewhat rectangular, a dual setup can be more efficient & powerful. Really though, if you're going over 30 MPH or so, the wind is doing most of the work anyways. For standard driving, a medium-sized single electric fan would be fine. Move up to a large single fan or the double for heavy hauling, long idling, & slow travel like off-roading. If possible, always retain the stock fan shroud. It directs air well, even after the manual fan is gone.
Last edited by rebturtle; Aug 4, 2004 at 09:30 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,610
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From: Northwest, Arkansas
Originally Posted by nemesis500548
How about this. A new dual electric fan setup is running about $400, and a single fan universal is about $100. Am I correct in supposing that the single electric fan will operate sufficiently enough to keep the engine cool since the stock mounted fan is a single fan, or do they not flow enough air and the dual fan should be used?
New User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Marion, Texas
How well would a single fan the same size as stock work? I live in San Antonio, so at least a half hour per trip is spend in medium to heavy traffic. I've never seen the needle on the guage inside the dash rise past halfway, even in heavy traffic for extended periods.
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