Rad Fans
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 958
Likes: 177
From: Newark Delaware
I replaced a motor in one of mine. It's a fairly straight forward swap once you remove the fans. The fans are a PIA to wiggle out, but a little tugging in the right places will do the trick. They come out as a unit, both fans and plastic rad cover. The fan motor was aroud 50 bucks. That being said, the factory fans are not quiet in comparison to todays fans.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Have you ever CLEANED the 1" space between the actual radiator and the AC Condenser. Just remove the air bridge and them the plastic cover over the radiator and you will be able to see the space. Use a garden hose and spray the radiator from the engine compartment. You will be AMAZED at what comes out! Sand, Dirt, grass ect………..
I bet you its full of crap and the fans are struggling to pass air (thus noisy) I would try that before you invest a lot of cash on parts.
If you have a STOCK C5, the OEM fans do a good job for the most part. If you modd the engine, sometimes it require cooling system improvements..
Bill
I bet you its full of crap and the fans are struggling to pass air (thus noisy) I would try that before you invest a lot of cash on parts.
If you have a STOCK C5, the OEM fans do a good job for the most part. If you modd the engine, sometimes it require cooling system improvements..
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 441
From: Arizona
Anything ya’ll would recommend to deal with squeaky fans? When mine are running and I turn off the motor they squeek like crazy until they stop spinning. I’m hesitant to just start spraying wd40 down there.
Last edited by STRMLNE; Mar 20, 2019 at 04:47 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 375
From: San Jose, CA
Take them out and clean them, that's step 1. While doing so, make sure they rotate happily, no grind or shudder or shake to tell you the bearings are bad.
I personally have not heard of the stock fans failing at this age due to bearing issues, though I am sure it is possible.
PS, if you want an awesome upgrade, the DeWitts SPAL setup is excellent. It's loud (like, at idle, louder than my exhaust) and sounds like a little jet engine, but boy if ain't effective.
I personally have not heard of the stock fans failing at this age due to bearing issues, though I am sure it is possible.
PS, if you want an awesome upgrade, the DeWitts SPAL setup is excellent. It's loud (like, at idle, louder than my exhaust) and sounds like a little jet engine, but boy if ain't effective.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 375
From: San Jose, CA
At hot idle (which is what, like 650 rpm?), with Borla Type S catback (and catted long tubes), yes. From the rear of the car you hear the exhaust, from the front the fans, and from the side the fans I think are a little bit louder.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 375
From: San Jose, CA
Ha! In fact, the coolant temp rises steadily to about 190F and then stays there. Hot california days, 190F. Mountains, 190F. Even on the track, the highest I have seen thus far is 194F. Granted, that was during 70F ambient, not, like, 110F ambient, so we'll see how it do. The dewitts rad & fan combo is lethal!
My oil does need an oil cooler, though. With the current setup and with more skill behind the wheel, summer track days would likely see around ~280-300F temps, which for some people is okay but not for me. Currently not beating on it too hard and driving in cooler weather, I get up to about 245F oil, so I know the cooler is needed.
One of the lessons I've learned is that superchargers are really not worth it for track use unless you're really committed to upgrading everything to handle the power, speed, and heat. Life is way easier with an NA setup - even a fairly wild NA setup - than an FI setup. GM spent about 200 pounds to make their FI setup work on the track, and GM is doing real engineering for a much lower unit cost than it takes in the aftermarket.
My oil does need an oil cooler, though. With the current setup and with more skill behind the wheel, summer track days would likely see around ~280-300F temps, which for some people is okay but not for me. Currently not beating on it too hard and driving in cooler weather, I get up to about 245F oil, so I know the cooler is needed.
One of the lessons I've learned is that superchargers are really not worth it for track use unless you're really committed to upgrading everything to handle the power, speed, and heat. Life is way easier with an NA setup - even a fairly wild NA setup - than an FI setup. GM spent about 200 pounds to make their FI setup work on the track, and GM is doing real engineering for a much lower unit cost than it takes in the aftermarket.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,638
Likes: 245
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 441
From: Arizona
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 441
From: Arizona