Mounting Radiator Fans

[91-gsx]

I have just switched over to a t3 setup and no longer have room for the stock fans. I bought 2 12" fans that are thinner and flow 2000cfm each. First, how much does the stock fan flow? Does this fan flow more then the stock one? I was also wondering if it would be alright to mount either one fan or two depending on what type of flow I need, in front of the radiator. These are reversible fans(both pusher or puller), if I put it in front of the radiator will it flow enough to keep the engine cool with one fan, or will I need to put both on there?
Thanks for the help and pictures of other setups help as well.

 

[tom04841]

Since you bought 2, why not use them? You can place the fans in front of the radiator....just make sure it is wired to push.

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

The stock fans have significant flow, but that's misleading and does not necessarily indicate how effective they are. CFM is only one factor. The stock fans have fan blades like your typical house fan -- they are very broad and because of the way they are designed they sit a good distance from the surface of the radiator. Since they are pullers, what this end up doing is pulling a lot of air from the sides of the fans as well as through the radiator.

Aftermarket fans like SPAL and FAL are designed to be mounted to the surface of the radiator with blades that are narrow and cut closer to the surface within a small shroud. This ensures most of the airflow drawn by the fan is pulled through the actual radiator surface. This is more efficient, so even such fans with less cfm can be far more effective than more powerful oem ones.

Check out how nascar does it and why: http://www.stockcarracing.com/techarticles/general/scrp_0509_efficient_cooling_radiator/

Pusher fans are less efficient than pullers because of air turbulance. They push against a radiator surface as well as serve as obstructions to incoming air flow that must flow around them or through them. While a puller fan draws air from directly in its path as well as the edges around the fan, a pusher is simply trying to push air directly behind it. Most fan sites I've seen quote pusher efficiency at around 80% that of pullers.

Btw, I have a 12" beast of a main fan and 11" slimline that fit fine. And I have a recirc o2 housing with a tial in the way, and 2" thick koyo rad.

 

[fwdeclipse]

I am running one 12" fan right now and it stays at about 180 when cruising but when I stop for long periods of time it will make its way t0 210. I say if you have two fans you might as well use them both.

 

[91-gsx]

Thanks for the help. I think I might just go ahead and install both as pushers in front of the radiator. The only thing that worried me about this is the fact that they will be blocking on coming air from hitting the radiator, and I already have a 3.5" thick fmic, so airflow is already hard to come by. But I really like the idea of removing the fans from the engine bay and putting them in front of the radiator so that the engine bay is cleaner. I like the way it looks with no fans in there, much cleaner.
later

 

[91-gsx]

I have a quick question for you guys. Does the radiator fan serve a purpose in cooling the engine by blowing air at it or is the main purpose of the fan to cool the radiator/coolant? The only reason I ask is because sense the fan works better as a puller. I was wondering if I could mount it in front of the radiator and also mount it as a puller so that it takes the engine bay hot air out as well as cool the radiator?
thanks for the help

 

[UMR98GSX]

Primary purpose is to cool the radiator and its contents

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

Unintended effect is blowing that hot ass air right on your intake pipe. That's why I'm getting one of those Thermotec intake heat sheild sleaves.

 

[91-gsx]

I was wondering if anybody had info or a how to on taking out the stock fan and replacing it with an after market one? I am not too good with wiring, so any help is much appreciated.
later

 

[UMR98GSX]

Not sure if the wiring is the same color or not on a 1g but here is how I did it on my 2g.

For pullers:

Both blue wires from the stock harness go to the blue or red wire on the new fan and the black (not black with white stripe) from the harness to the black on the new fan. Leave the black with white stripe disconnected.

For pushers:

Both blue wires from the stock harness go to the black wire on the new fan and the black (not black with white stripe) from the harness to the blue or red wire on the new fan. Leave the black with white stripe disconnected.

Hope this helps.

Anson

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

On a 1g, at least for the main fan, you have 2 wires from the temp sensor and two wires to the main fan. You'll leave the temp sensor wires alone. Cut the two wires to the main fan (should be one blue and one black). If you rig it as a puller you match blue and black to the corresponding blue and black wires on the slim fan. It's possible that the fan may have a color other than blue for positive, but just use it as you would the blue.

If you rig it as a pusher you should reverse the fan blades as well as the polarity. Blue will go to black and vice versa.