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Electric Fans - Strictly An Economy Question


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Posted

Ok, I've searched the archives on this site as well as a few others in regards to upgrading to electric fans. The lack of information directly pertaining to increases in MPG's is quite surprising (based on my limited searches). I've read the how to's, which radiator, alternator upgrades, stock vs aftermarket, stand alone controls, wiring harnass for pcm controlled with tune, etc....

 

So this post I would like to be answered only regarding increases (degreases or no change) in MPG's after the fans are installed. I'd like to hear it from people that have personal experience with it and have real numbers to report. Please also include your fan setup (Stock or Aftermarket). I just don't want to have to shell out the 400 bucks (give or take) to find out it's not really going to give me what I'm looking for. I have a 2003 GMC Sierra 1500HD 6.0L 4WD w/Quadra Steer.

Posted

I will be able to tell you soon, as I'm about to put some ls1 fans on my 2004 w/4.8 in the next 2 or 3 weeks. The potential for better mileage definately exists though. You will hear lots of talk about the extra alternator draw equaling out the fan clutch draw. At full amperage maybe that would be true, but seldom will your fans ever need to run full blast, especially if you use the Delta Current fan control.

Posted

Welcome to the site Matt.

 

I don't know the exact answer to your question but here is a free bump. :D

Posted
Ok, I've searched the archives on this site as well as a few others in regards to upgrading to electric fans. The lack of information directly pertaining to increases in MPG's is quite surprising (based on my limited searches). I've read the how to's, which radiator, alternator upgrades, stock vs aftermarket, stand alone controls, wiring harnass for pcm controlled with tune, etc....

 

So this post I would like to be answered only regarding increases (degreases or no change) in MPG's after the fans are installed. I'd like to hear it from people that have personal experience with it and have real numbers to report. Please also include your fan setup (Stock or Aftermarket). I just don't want to have to shell out the 400 bucks (give or take) to find out it's not really going to give me what I'm looking for. I have a 2003 GMC Sierra 1500HD 6.0L 4WD w/Quadra Steer.

 

 

Yes Sir ! Would like you fries with that order?

Posted

I am just trying to focus the post on a specific response as many of the posts I've read never seem to get answered in regards to mpg's specifically. I think there are probably a few people out there that would like to see some answers to this question. I did not mean to come across in a negative manner, just trying to learn.

Posted
I am just trying to focus the post on a specific response as many of the posts I've read never seem to get answered in regards to mpg's specifically. I think there are probably a few people out there that would like to see some answers to this question. I did not mean to come across in a negative manner, just trying to learn.

Looks like you are going about it the right way to me. Hopefully the right person will see this and chime in. Simply by searching before asking your original question you are ahead of about 75% of us.

Posted

Free bump for you as I am interested in some tangible numbers as well.

 

I bought my 6.0L Yukon XL primarily as the family hauler but it also has the secondary function as a tow vehicle as well. Either function could benefit from better MPG. A 1 MPG increase could be worth the cost of the initial upgrade.

Posted

Here are some reviews from users that bought Flex-a-Lite fans. I saw others that claimed 0-2 mpg. You seem to be a bright person so you know the pitfalls of people making big claims on either side of the coin on the net.Tym Byrne on this site, who is a vendor, claimed 2mpg but says he made two other mods at the same time. Not knowing what those other two mods are detracts from the claim. He also sells them so you might want to factor that in.

Boomer

 

 

 

Very Good Buy - 07/18/2007

Reviewer: From A Customer Own this product - Yes

From brownsville, tx

Temperature does not rise above the O in normal. When i use the A/C temperature rises fans kick in a coulpe of minutes temp. goes back down to normal.

5 out of 5 stars 2000-2004 nissan xterra 3.3 - 08/02/2006

Reviewer: From A Customer Own this product - Yes

From Hot as heck California

Fits like a glove, requires aftermarket rad to use these directions. clip the 2 "L" shaped brackets with bolt cutters, drill a small hole in the small end of the bracket & edge of rad, mount bracket. cut a 2"x2" off the lower drivers corner, (to clear steering box) mount on long part of "L" bracket, and mark for size. remove fan, Clip "L" bracket shorter, and reinstall fan. Reinstall rad, and wire. Directions are great, will need a good crimper tho, I soddered mine. If anything it is almost overkill, 115 here and the AC blew cold.. almost too cold at idle. only downside is the fan runs as long as the ac is on (if wired for that) and this includes 70mph on the freeway, where it is not needed.. a second thermostat on the condensor would be sweet..

4 out of 5 stars Cool deal - 07/11/2006

Reviewer: From A Customer Own this product - Yes

From Houston - Vehicle: 1987 CHEVY/GMC TRUCK Suburban

Big performance gain. I was really surprised. Excellent fan, all ajustments are right on. Wish I would have done this sooner. This is on my 88' Sub. with a H.O. 5.7, and I tow qiute a bit.

1 out of 5 stars Things to know about this fan - 07/10/2006

Reviewer: Mark Carter Own this product - Yes

From O'Fallon, Mo. - Vehicle: 1999 DODGE Ram

I bought this electric fan and made sure to order a vehicle specific fan so as not to have as many issues with the installation. Problem was when I received it the mounting brackets that came with it where no where near what I needed or could use, so I had to make my own. The instructions for all the wiring where extremely vague. My roommate is an electrician and he had trouble figuring out what some of it meant. I have noticed very little change in over all performance or gas milage if any. I am very unhappy with this order and would not recommend it to anyone else.

Posted

Thanks Boomer, I am really more interested in data relating to LSx powered trucks. I've seen it for other vehicles, I read an article about a diesel Ford that picked up 3 MPG with this upgrade, but it's not really comparing apples to apples.

Posted
Free bump for you as I am interested in some tangible numbers as well.

 

I bought my 6.0L Yukon XL primarily as the family hauler but it also has the secondary function as a tow vehicle as well. Either function could benefit from better MPG. A 1 MPG increase could be worth the cost of the initial upgrade.

 

 

Tage, I tow a 6500 lb camper with my Yuk XL and researched the e fan subject a great deal before deciding not to do it. I am sure there are gains and they certainly clean things up under the hood but I researched this on s RV forum and finally a comment hit home with me. The comment was: "Have you ever seen a 3/4 or 1 ton truck with e fans?"

 

I finally came to the conclusion that my fan clutch was working well and I kind of like the fact that I have to put an orange cone out in front of my grille when I am at idle in a campground. I do this to keep small children from being pulled into my grille. :sigh:

Posted
I finally came to the conclusion that my fan clutch was working well and I kind of like the fact that I have to put an orange cone out in front of my grille when I am at idle in a campground. I do this to keep small children from being pulled into my grille. :D

Now how many kids did it take before you started using the cone? :sigh:

Posted
Free bump for you as I am interested in some tangible numbers as well.

 

I bought my 6.0L Yukon XL primarily as the family hauler but it also has the secondary function as a tow vehicle as well. Either function could benefit from better MPG. A 1 MPG increase could be worth the cost of the initial upgrade.

 

 

Tage, I tow a 6500 lb camper with my Yuk XL and researched the e fan subject a great deal before deciding not to do it. I am sure there are gains and they certainly clean things up under the hood but I researched this on s RV forum and finally a comment hit home with me. The comment was: "Have you ever seen a 3/4 or 1 ton truck with e fans?"

 

I finally came to the conclusion that my fan clutch was working well and I kind of like the fact that I have to put an orange cone out in front of my grille when I am at idle in a campground. I do this to keep small children from being pulled into my grille. :D

 

 

Good stuff man! Thx for the input. I suppose the bigger the motor the less of a difference a clutch driven fan is going to make. On 3 cylinder engine Geo Metro it's going to make a lot bigger difference than on an aircraft carrier engine. I'm still curious if there's anyone out there that has any actual numbers (specifically with a 6.0L engine) but at this point I'm interested in any engine MPG numbers.

 

Probably the biggest reason to not do it is my wife will be pissed if the electric fan burns up or the truck simply overheats on a 115 degree Phoenix, AZ summer day. I'll never hear the end of her bitching saying, "why can't you just leave well enough alone?". :sigh:

Posted
I finally came to the conclusion that my fan clutch was working well and I kind of like the fact that I have to put an orange cone out in front of my grille when I am at idle in a campground. I do this to keep small children from being pulled into my grille. :P

Now how many kids did it take before you started using the cone? :sigh:

 

 

 

Not but 3 but fortunately I was able to peel them off once the engine was turned off. I did not mention the little poodle dog because the outcome was not so good. :D

Posted
I finally came to the conclusion that my fan clutch was working well and I kind of like the fact that I have to put an orange cone out in front of my grille when I am at idle in a campground. I do this to keep small children from being pulled into my grille. :P

Now how many kids did it take before you started using the cone? :sigh:

 

 

 

Not but 3 but fortunately I was able to peel them off once the engine was turned off. I did not mention the little poodle dog because the outcome was not so good. :D

 

That's the thing about kids... they get into everything.

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