Fan

LINCHPIN · May 30, 2006

I have a 97 1500 chevy burban. A friend told me about his Bro removing his fan from his motor, and installing an electiric fan, freed up some ponies. Is this true, and has anyone done it? Is it hard to do?

ken1mod · May 30, 2006

While there is probably some truth to the electric fan thing, our fan clutches really don't turn on the fan unless the motor is quite hot and the electrics seem to have trouble moving the air under heavy loads. I would stick to the factory set-up unless you operate in very cool conditions.

Ken

snoman · May 30, 2006

While there is probably some truth to the electric fan thing, our fan clutches really don't turn on the fan unless the motor is quite hot and the electrics seem to have trouble moving the air under heavy loads. I would stick to the factory set-up unless you operate in very cool conditions.

Ken

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Good advise as a electric replacement fan cannot deliver anywhere near the peak airflow that a engine driven fan can. For it to do so it would have to draw more electric power than you truck can produce.

facn8me · May 30, 2006

hmmm... don't the 05 and up 1500 come standard with electric fans?

MustGoFaster · May 30, 2006

I believe that some people have shown that E-fans can give an edge in MPG

silveradoHO · May 30, 2006

My 05 has electric fans. You might be able to find a set from a junk yard for cheap. I've also heard of some people using the fans off a camaro. I think Nelson Performance sells wiring kits for this conversion.

snoman · May 30, 2006

My 05 has electric fans. You might be able to find a set from a junk yard for cheap. I've also heard of some people using the fans off a camaro. I think Nelson Performance sells wiring kits for this conversion.

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If you aver pull it hard at low speeds (like a triler on a hill) you will find that the electric fans will not cut it. If you just cruise around some and do not work you truck much you might get by but to me it is kinda silly to have a "truck" that does not have enough cooling for any senerio. A engine driven clutch fan can deliver some very seriuos airflow at times. It may consum several HP while doing it but it will mover the air. To make that same several HP needed to move same amount of air with electric fans you will need to draw at least a couple of hundred amps at 12 volts to power them.

BurbanZ71 · May 30, 2006

I have the Electric fans on my '05 Burb - no complaints.

True, I have not pulled heavy trailers in high heat. But, I have had the truck idling in 90+ temps with the A/C going for an hour plus so that the little one can get some sleep when we have been out on the road.

silveradoHO · May 30, 2006

My 05 has electric fans. You might be able to find a set from a junk yard for cheap. I've also heard of some people using the fans off a camaro. I think Nelson Performance sells wiring kits for this conversion.

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If you aver pull it hard at low speeds (like a triler on a hill) you will find that the electric fans will not cut it. If you just cruise around some and do not work you truck much you might get by but to me it is kinda silly to have a "truck" that does not have enough cooling for any senerio. A engine driven clutch fan can deliver some very seriuos airflow at times. It may consum several HP while doing it but it will mover the air. To make that same several HP needed to move same amount of air with electric fans you will need to draw at least a couple of hundred amps at 12 volts to power them.

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I've towed over 7000lbs in the mountains of virginia without any problems. Maybe the electric fans are not as good, but so far they work great for me.

Camster88 · May 30, 2006

hey! when i got my truck used, it had a crazy heavy duty fan clutch. It zapped a TON of power, and above 3000 RPM, the thing sounded like it was about to take off. there was SO MUCH FAN NOISE! however, the truck did run extremely cool. it must have been running the fan at about 75% of the engine speed. way too much!

i swapped it out for a light duty fan clutch. i know what your going to say! light duty sucks, your going to overheat your truck, your an idiot etc. not true!!

the truck still stays just as cool (amazingly) and i probably have about 15 more horse.

you could try an even lighter duty fan clutch on your truck. there will be even less fan noise, and you will get some extra horse.

it's $30 instead of $300. just keep your eye on the temp gauge. if it starts getting to hot for your comfort swap it back.

cam