electric fans
 

I have a 94 camaro z28 and I was thinking about putting the electric fans in my 75. Has anyone done this? Can it be done? if not what are some other options for electric fans.

Well, there are a few possibilities. I tend to like the Ford fan options. There is the nice big MarkVIII fan. It has an 18" fan, it's own shroud, and a huge motor. The next size down is the Taurus fan, with a 17" fan, and it's own shroud and the same motor.

Then there are duals. You can get the Dual SPAL setup from Tom DeWitt, and if you want a more budget approach like I did, I installed a set of Ford Focus dual fans. Here are some pics and the wiring diagram of how I have them controlled.

The T-stat in the manifold controls the turn on of one of them, so it only comes on and off according to the T-stat switch.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m...y/FocusFan.jpg
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m...y/DualFans.jpg
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m...gDiagram01.jpg

I have the Lt1 fan setup in my 1980. There is a little bit of trimming and fabricating to do but it's worth it. In fact I just bought another one for $130 shipped to my door. The replacement fan motors can be bought from the wrecking yards for $15. VetteDan was the forum member I used as a reference. He has a website detailing the upgrade/conversion. Check out www.vetteworksonline.com then click on engine conversion then LT1 then cooling mods.

I went with the Mark VIII setup. gets up to about 210 or so until the stat opens up then I go just barely over 200. I think I got a switch that stabs into the radiator from pep boys ( not for sure where I got it though). of course a relay.

Durango, you just ran a wire from the relay to a thermostat? So the hotter the engine gets the faster the fan spins? I like that better than the radiator probe, but I don't think the mark VIII is variable, only 2 speed

"Delta current controls" makes a variable speed controller for fan control. The fan speed increases in relationship to the engine temperature. Do an internet search to find out more about it. You can buy the Mark VIII fan assembly and controller from his website. Sometimes his website isn't accessible due to too many orders coming in. He is a one man show and gets backlogged alot.

:lurk:

The T-stat I have in use is not a variable speed controller. It's a simple on and off T-stat. I am not using my heater core, so I used the heater hose bung in the manifold for this T-stat.

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Once the T-stat sees a water temp of 185, it closes the circuit, and since the relay is grounded through it, the relay doesn't have a circuit until the T-stat closes. once it does, the relay gets ground through the engine block and the fan runs. Once the T-stat sees a temp of of 165, it opens the circuit, shutting off the fan by cutting the ground for the relay.

Both fans can be put on a T-stat like this but I wanted a fan that was always on.

I had my vette on the dyno a few years back. The dyno operator suggested that the mechanical fan was costing me hp and torque so we made a few pulls after removing the mechanical fan. I picked up close to 15hp and around 10 lb/ft of torque by removing the mechanical fan. I picked up a used 16" fan (from what I have no idea). I fabricated a mount using some aluminum flat and angle iron. I purchased an electric fan wiring kit from summit racing and everything has worked well since. Nothing fancy or expensive here.

Jim

have you dynoed it since you put the electric fan in? supposedly you'll lose just as much horsepower from the extra load on the alternator to run the fan.

You should take it to the dyno again to see if this is true

Really, a mechanical fan (which I have) is the worst of all worlds. I runs at the engines dictated speed, so it has to be effecient at low speed (when your sitting in traffic on a hot day) and it has to pull air at high engine RPM also. Any fan is going to be most effeceint at only one narrow speed spread. It also runs all the time, wasting power and gas. the Electric runs only when needed and at only it's most efficient speed, a way more effecient device and will therefore cost you less engine drag when it's running, it will translate to a faster car. That being said, my 'vette is fast enough for me allready, but an electric fan is way better, hands down. C.

I never had the chance to run on the dyno after installing the electric fan. I can't comment on the impact of the electric fan as it relates to load on the electrical system and impact on the dyno. Even if there is a reduction in power due to electrical load, it can't be anywhere near the loss of power caused by the mechnical fan. The heavy rotating mass of the mechanical fan puts far more load on the engine than an electical fan. Plus I don't have to worry about a metal fan taking off a finger and I'm left with more room to work in the engine bay.

Jim

I've got Flex-a-Lite dual electric fans with a controller that lets me decide at what temp to light them up. They work great.

Whether there is power gain or not from an electric fan I still strongly agree it is much better than mechanical in almost every way, but was still curious about how it affect the HP

Durango_boy,
I like your set up. i plan on doing the same thing, can you tell me about
your belt set up,Idler etc..it looks so much neater than my current set up.Steve

I'm running Flex-a-lite's #210 right now but I'm loking into finding something with some more Cfm's...All is ok untill the real hot summer days then I can;t run her that long because the temps gradually creep up...Damn BB'S.......................Jerrylee///

Yeah Steve, well I have a factory style GM serpentine system, with deletes for the A/C and smog.

I have some extra serpentine brackets and pulleys if you want to work out a deal. Maybe PM me.

DB - how did you mount your fans? Did you fab up some small aluminum brackets to mount them? Where did you attach it to?

Yeah, I fabbed some small tab like feet to slide into the bottom channel of the core support in front of the radiator. I then added pads between the fan and the radiator, and for the pic I just zip tied it up. It's been so cold I haven't had a chance to fabricate my upper bracket yet but I will use aluminum angle iron to make my upper brackets.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m...FocusFan01.jpg

Also, regarding the power question...

It looks like DBs fans run on 30A each (is this right DB?) So:
12V*30A=360W --> 720W if both fans are on...

746W = 1hp, so even with both fans on, you're using less than 1hp of electrical power. (All things being equal you'd also have to account for friction in your alternator, but its not like that will be more than the electrical power.)

Sounds like a great swap. More power, more room, looks better... and pretty cheap depending on how its done! :thumbs:

That's correct. I think they use even less than that though...the factory fans in a Focus use a SINGLE relay, and I think it may be just a 40. I can't remember.