Fan replacement

96 Vortec · August 10, 2001

Has anybody replaced the stock fan? I started wondering what a Flex-a-lite fan would do for my truck. Also, what do you do with the fan clutch?

I have also been thinking about a set of pulleys.

Just curious if anyone has had any experience with either mod.

95 Silverado · August 12, 2001

what are you hoping to gain by changing the fan. if you need increased cooling it will provide it, but it will cost you fuel mileage and increased engine noise, if you aren't having heating problems I would avoid it, you might find a replacement blade for your clutch fan that will have more blades, this will allow you to keep the floating fan. The pulley kits are usually beneficial for high engine rpm applications(drag racing, off roading) but don't do much for normal street usage, they might cause a charging system or overheating problem if not needed. If I were going to put something on my own truck I would go with an electric cooling fan set-up, they save horsepower, save wear on the belts and water pump, and only work when needed.

NeXuS1 · August 12, 2001

i run a flex fan on my 89, great investment, it loud around 3k rpm, if it robs power its not very noticeable and worth the great cooling. i hate clutch fans they dont cool very well till its already too hot so i would suggest a flex fan.

96 Vortec · August 13, 2001

I'm worried about cooling in the summer. I have a problem with the computers retarding the timing when I'm running the ac and sitting at an idle for too long. Just trying to find something to help a little. I am also trying to free up a little power at the same time. I've always been told that flex-a-lite fans are better for v-8s cause they are lighter and free up a little power along with better cooling.

I am unable to find a price for the fans in the following link. I am thinking of going this route also. I do have a second battery, I just haven't found the time to install it.

http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/Applicatio...e/fulltruck.htm

Has anyone here installed electric fans. I am just curious if they move enough air.

NeXuS1 · August 13, 2001

i run something like in my 89 replaces the stock clutch fan. the only other thing would be maybe adding the dual eletric fan they make and leave the stock clutch fan in place.

96 Vortec · August 13, 2001

NeXus1-How did that affect your truck at idle and while running? Does it take longer to warm up running that fan without a clutch?

I have been told that the lighter fan frees up a little bit of power. Have you noticed that.

I was thinking of the electric fan as just another alternative. They are pullers so the factory fan and clutch have to be removed. This also frees up power because the engine no longer has to spin that big fan.

NeXuS1 · August 13, 2001

it ran about the same, the flex fan cools at idle a lot better then the stock clutch fan. it took a little longer to get up to temp but wasnt that bad. just have to becareful on the ultra cold days let it warm up a little before you take off then. over all it was worth it. i could run my a/c in idle at the hottest part of the summer i even ran a/c a little when i towed out utility trailer and it still ran right at the temp i wanted.

96 Vortec · August 13, 2001

Thanks for the help. It sounds like this is what I'm looking for. I have a remote start, so letting it warm up enough isn't a problem.

oxidizr · August 14, 2001

I'm installing the Flex-e-lite 250 dual electric fans this Thursday and will have some dyno time on the following week. From others responses the fans provide superior cooling a free up about 15 RWHP...I guess I will soon find out.

76BBSub · August 14, 2001

Check out Stewart Water Pumps' web site, they have some really good tech on cooling, including fans. They say that the best fan setup is dual electric pullers, followed by clutch fans, and that flex fans come in last. There's more detail at their site, http://www.stewartcomponents.com/

I have heard that switching to dual electrics is worth about 17 HP and 20 ft-lbs of torque. I may eventually do this swap on my Corvette.

oxidizr...how the heck do you make a Z24 Cav run in the 13s??

Jeff

oxidizr · August 14, 2001

Most people overlook that part of my sig.

The GM LD9 2.4L is a great base motor. Couple 2 stages of nitrous (~120HP) some aggressive cams, all your bolt ons and a sicky tire and its not that hard. Still running on the stock bottom end and some minor tranny mods.

More details here: http://home.earthlink.net/~rwaitas/_wsn/page4.html

76BBSub · August 14, 2001

Wait a minute...you are one of those guys I've heard about who rents stuff and puts NOS on it!! Cool! Did I read correctly that the Am was in the 10s???Jeff

oxidizr · August 15, 2001

Wait a minute...you are one of those guys I've heard about who rents stuff and puts NOS on it!!

I plead the fifth.

Did I read correctly that the Am was in the 10s???

No...while I wish it could be pushed into the 10's it was struggling just to beat low thirteen second z28s. The time slip at the bottom was from another project car I helped with.

76BBSub · August 15, 2001

Still, while the Am was struggling to beat the Zs the Zs were just trying to figure out HTF a Grand Am was hanging with them at all!!

I love it!

Jeff

oxidizr · August 15, 2001

If you thought the AM was impressive, the real looker was the Silver Metro...nothing like sqeezing on a few riced out integras and leaving them in a cloud of tire smoke. Yes, I did say tire smoke and metro in the same sentence.

We have revisited the metro project twice. The second time yeilded a 89' moded RS Camaro kill...on the freeway a late model Honda Prelude with who knows what done(just really loud) and a couple of Civics(your typical fart pipe bearing, body kit clad type.)