Why is Spal so much better than Flex-a-lite??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: STLMO31Fo
Why is Spal so much better than Flex-a-lite??
I am going with dual electric fans... talk around town is that Spal is better than Flex-a-lite.
So what physically or mechanicly makes the Spal setup so much better than the Flex-a-lite setup?
(Please don't tell me you get what you pay for... :rolleyes: )
Thanks!
So what physically or mechanicly makes the Spal setup so much better than the Flex-a-lite setup?
(Please don't tell me you get what you pay for... :rolleyes: )
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Why is Spal so much better than Flex-a-lite?? (ericshaw)
I have the flex a lit and I am happy with them so far. Guess it depends on your needs. I had them on my engine when it had iron heads and iron ex man and it kept it cooler (below 210 99% of teh time and around 185-195 the rest of the time) than my hacked up set up but still not down where I would have liked @ 180. When I switched to alum heads and headers my temp dropped, now it stays at 180 to 185. If you need the extra cooling the SPALS might be better but if not I wuld think the flex a lite will do. Have only had them on about 1 month so have no long term info to add.
BTW Another thing i like about the flex a lite set is it mounts throw the rad fins with heavy duty zip ties so no extra $ for brackets. Actually I think it came with brackets too if you want to use them.
[Modified by Fevre, 10:52 AM 8/29/2002]
BTW Another thing i like about the flex a lite set is it mounts throw the rad fins with heavy duty zip ties so no extra $ for brackets. Actually I think it came with brackets too if you want to use them.
[Modified by Fevre, 10:52 AM 8/29/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,877
Likes: 1
From: Park Ridge IL
Re: Why is Spal so much better than Flex-a-lite?? (ericshaw)
The Spals are better becuase they actually flow their rated CFM. The motors are more powerful and the overall construction quality is better, OEM quality actually.
I tried the 2950 cfm Flexalite a few years ago and had serious overheating, switched to the Spals and never had another problem - in both scenarios I was using the same BeCool radiator and Stewart Stage 3 water pump.
I called BeCool to see if they had any suggestions and they told me tha tthe Flexalite and Permacool fans were rated in free air, and when placed behind an upstruction such as a radiator, their flow descreased dramatically due to the weak motors that they use. the Spals ont he other hand have more powerful, "high-torque" motors and actually pull more CFM than the Flexalite/Permacools, even though the advertised CFM is lower.
I tried the 2950 cfm Flexalite a few years ago and had serious overheating, switched to the Spals and never had another problem - in both scenarios I was using the same BeCool radiator and Stewart Stage 3 water pump.
I called BeCool to see if they had any suggestions and they told me tha tthe Flexalite and Permacool fans were rated in free air, and when placed behind an upstruction such as a radiator, their flow descreased dramatically due to the weak motors that they use. the Spals ont he other hand have more powerful, "high-torque" motors and actually pull more CFM than the Flexalite/Permacools, even though the advertised CFM is lower.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Why is Spal so much better than Flex-a-lite?? (Monty)
Has anybody tried the Perma-Cool 16" single fans? They are rated 2950 cfm!! I was thinking in swapping my Flex-a-Lite pusher fans (there's not enough space to install them as puller on my 68) for a Perma-Cool Single Puller fan... However - I would like to get some feedback of anybody using this fan...
:cheers:
Olivier
:cheers:
Olivier
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Why is Spal so much better than Flex-a-lite?? (GrandSportC3)
Pullers work way better than pushers. I have a open elec fan (no shrouding) that didn't do squat until I switched it to the the puller side. Even the it wasn't great and I suspect it is because it is unshrouded. I think the unshrouded kind work better as a supplemental pusher fan since when they are off, not have the shrouding allows air to flow freely around them where shrouding would get in the way. Is that one the shrouded one?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,218
Likes: 0
From: Glendale AZ
Re: Why is Spal so much better than Flex-a-lite?? (ericshaw)
I owned a flex-a-lot fan in my 58 chev apache
shamless flaunting of my prior toy :D
twice! the plastic fans blades broke after 20-someodd hours of runtime. It did minor damage to the rad fins and destroyed the electric motor.
My theory is that the plastic kit sat on a hot store shelf for a very long time and the fan blades became brittle.
poor quality IMO
cheers
chad
shamless flaunting of my prior toy :D
twice! the plastic fans blades broke after 20-someodd hours of runtime. It did minor damage to the rad fins and destroyed the electric motor.
My theory is that the plastic kit sat on a hot store shelf for a very long time and the fan blades became brittle.
poor quality IMO
cheers
chad
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Re: Why is Spal so much better than Flex-a-lite?? (GrandSportC3)
Spal rates theirs through a radiator core and at 12V. Permecool and flex-a-lite rate at 13.8V and free air. Spals move significantly more air than any other brand. Reason is they use much stronger motors. Flex-a-lite Dual 12" fans draw 19A. Spal dual 11" draw 25A.
Most smallblocks are fine with flex-a-lites. Big-blocks can use spals especially with AC. I tried both on my '71 BB. Flex-a-lite would slowly climb in traffic. I had to shut the AC off when it reached 235F and it would cool off.
With the spals it goes to 210F where the fans kick on, and drops right back to 180F where they turn off.
Most smallblocks are fine with flex-a-lites. Big-blocks can use spals especially with AC. I tried both on my '71 BB. Flex-a-lite would slowly climb in traffic. I had to shut the AC off when it reached 235F and it would cool off.
With the spals it goes to 210F where the fans kick on, and drops right back to 180F where they turn off.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Why is Spal so much better than Flex-a-lite?? (zwede)
For twice the price I would hope their is a diff. :)
Guess I know what ot buy if I start having heating problems. Good to hear they are worth the extra $. I am good for now, thanks goodness.
Guess I know what ot buy if I start having heating problems. Good to hear they are worth the extra $. I am good for now, thanks goodness.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 0
From: Bay City MI.
Re: Why is Spal so much better than Flex-a-lite?? (ericshaw)
Another vote for the spal setup, I have twin Spals with my BeCool radiator, works great even with my Big Block! My motor even on the hottest days, 90+ won't go over 205 degrees, and normal around town driving, stop and go the fans keep the temp at about 190-195. They work great are not too loud considering how strong the motors are. I know the BeCool guys well and they have tried many different combos, and they say go with Spal no question!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,215
Likes: 169
From: PA
Re: Why is Spal so much better than Flex-a-lite?? (ericshaw)
What do you mean "went wrong"???
