Electric fans?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 8
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Electric fans?
I'm looking at switching to electric fans and tossing the mechanical fan. I already have retired the factory fan and clutch as I found the flex fan cools substantially better. I would be interested in hearing from those of you that have tried electric fans on your experience. Type of fan, if you liked it, if you had to boost your alternator capacity, etc... Thanks, Greg
:auto:
:auto:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
Re: Electric fans? (ndirishr1)
I have the Flex-a-lite model 210 fans. I tossed the controller for a Painless kit. It works OK at best. I have not had to increase my alternater capicity. If I were to do the same thing today I would check with supporting vendor DeWitt's for a Spal fan setup.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Electric fans? (ndirishr1)
A few on people on here have also used the dual fan setup off of a LT1 Camaro/Firebird. I am gonna check into this one myself.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 0
From: NY
Re: Electric fans? (Brettmc)
I keep wondering the same...should I do the electric deal.
I would do it for extra ponies. My Griffin aluminium radiator works so well my aux. elec. cooling fan never kicks in even on the killer hot summer days.
Do we get any more power from the conversion when coming from a factory 81 clutch set up?
[Modified by 81ZZ4, 8:44 AM 3/10/2003]
[Modified by 81ZZ4, 8:45 AM 3/10/2003]
[Modified by 81ZZ4, 8:45 AM 3/10/2003]
I would do it for extra ponies. My Griffin aluminium radiator works so well my aux. elec. cooling fan never kicks in even on the killer hot summer days.
Do we get any more power from the conversion when coming from a factory 81 clutch set up?
[Modified by 81ZZ4, 8:44 AM 3/10/2003]
[Modified by 81ZZ4, 8:45 AM 3/10/2003]
[Modified by 81ZZ4, 8:45 AM 3/10/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 10
From: Sault Ste Marie Ontario
Re: Electric fans? (ndirishr1)
I had a electric fan and found that it would not cool properly when fooling around. I now run a flex fan. Because of the slope of the rad the fan did not push enough air over the intake and it became too hot.
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: Electric fans? (ndirishr1)
Here is a pic of my setup.. The puller fan is a 2950 cfm Permacool fan which should be enough to cool a engine that's not too radical.. I personally use the Permacool fan always on and my dual Flex-a-Lite fans are switchable... The Permacool fan is very easy to install... Just use the nynon mounting parts that come with the fan. Takes less than 5 minutes to install... You just have to get a hot 30 amp fused wire and a good ground to the fan in order to operate it.. My dual Flex-a-Lites are mounted on the outside of the radiator support.. On my Vette - the Radiator support is part of the hood assembly and the radiator has a separate support...
Here is a pic of my setup: (I just made it)
(click on the pic or the link below for a larger image)
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/grandsportc3/fans.jpg
:cheers:
Olivier
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 11:04 PM 3/10/2003]
Here is a pic of my setup: (I just made it)
(click on the pic or the link below for a larger image)
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/grandsportc3/fans.jpg
:cheers:
Olivier
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 11:04 PM 3/10/2003]
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 8
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Re: Electric fans? (ndirishr1)
Thanks all for your help. I also talked to Tom DeWitt today and am considering an aluminum '65 BB radiator with a SPAL dual fan set-up as a possible alternate. I also need to peak under the hood of my '99 Camaro SS as the Camaro set-up was suggested as a possibility.
Greg
Greg
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: Electric fans? (ndirishr1)
Thanks all for your help. I also talked to Tom DeWitt today and am considering an aluminum '65 BB radiator with a SPAL dual fan set-up as a possible alternate. I also need to peak under the hood of my '99 Camaro SS as the Camaro set-up was suggested as a possibility.
Greg
Greg
:cheers:
Olivier
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 7,607
Likes: 1
From: ECS Sales & Service Advisor
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Electric fans? (GrandSportC3)
Spalls are GREAT fans... the first time I spent an hour idleing in 95 degree temps and my temp didnt rise as much as 5 degrees, I learned exactly how great they were... They are worth every penny!!! :cheers: :cheers:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 8
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Re: Electric fans? (914eener)
Tom's got my money. I'm looking forward to the new set-up. Our club does a lot of parades and all that idling is too tough on the older cars. I've been parading my 01 but hope I can now drive my 68 and at reasonable operating temps.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: The Villages FL
Re: Electric fans? (ndirishr1)
You might look at using a 90-96 Corvette fan shroud you can get at swap meets. Just buy new motors and you will be all set. More than enough, behind an aluminum raditor of appropriate size, to cool 450 or so SB HP.
Look at a serpentine belt system from a 1989 Corvette for the belts.
Spike
Look at a serpentine belt system from a 1989 Corvette for the belts.
Spike
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: VA
Re: Electric fans? (ndirishr1)
On my 69, I installed a Spal pusher type fan and retained the flex fan. The Spal is on a thermostat and comes on when necessary, also I can turn it on manually. I love it!! No more worries of overheating. It easily keeps my engine from overheating, even in the hottest bumper to bumper traffic.
Best part is that the Spal is hardly noticeable, but when it comes on, it's loud.
Best part is that the Spal is hardly noticeable, but when it comes on, it's loud.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: VA
Re: Electric fans? (Bobchad)
I will have to dig around to find out which model I installed. Basically, I went with the biggest and most powerful model that would fit in front of the radiator. Here is the link to the site. Take careful measurements and be aware that when opening the hood, the fan may need more clearance. I had to take a Dremel Tool to the underside of the hood. Anyway, heres the link:
http://www.spal-usa.com/html/spalhome.htm
If you like, I can take some pictures of how it looks installed and post them.
http://www.spal-usa.com/html/spalhome.htm
If you like, I can take some pictures of how it looks installed and post them.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Re: Electric fans? (ndirishr1)
About the electric fans. I'm switching to dual flex-a-lites very soon and was wondering how much horsepower this will free up over a stock clutch fan? I was guessing around 5 horsepower or so. I'm doing it primarily to keep my motor cooler but having less drag on the motor is also an added bonus.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: Coventry CT
Re: Electric fans? (bence13_33)
no lie, i have seen a 30 hp increase on a chasis dyno. thats 30 rear wheel horsepower!
i worked at a shop and we removed a brand new stock fan clutch.(very tight)
and replaced it with dual spal fans.
i wouldnt expect to see that again but there is a power loss with the stock fan.
hidden power is a great thing to find.
i worked at a shop and we removed a brand new stock fan clutch.(very tight)
and replaced it with dual spal fans.
i wouldnt expect to see that again but there is a power loss with the stock fan.
hidden power is a great thing to find.