Low-Profile Replacement Fans>?
10-13-06 | 12:09 AM
#1
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From: Arlington, VA
Low-Profile Replacement Fans>?
Has anyone successfully replaced the factory radiator fans with a set of lower-profile aftermarket fans?
if so, how did you wire them (with respect to the multispeeds), and do you know if they flow as much air as the stock fans?
Thanks!
if so, how did you wire them (with respect to the multispeeds), and do you know if they flow as much air as the stock fans?
Thanks!
Last edited by ptrhahn; 10-13-06 at 12:11 AM.
10-13-06 | 01:43 AM
#2
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,147
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From: lima, oh
i had some aftermarket fans on my fd when i bought it that worked quite well, they were wired to a thermostat probe in the radiator for turn on. i cant say how they compared to the stock fans but they kept the coolant temps very low, so they did their job. i took them out to go back to stock fans once i got a pfc bc i could turn them on at lower temps with the datalogit bc the stock fans are quiter and smaller.
ps. if you are interested i still have the fans that i took out of my car and ill sell them to you cheap if you want them. i have the reciept from the previous owner and the system cost him over $1100(he was kinda crazy about his cars). let me know if you want them.
ps. if you are interested i still have the fans that i took out of my car and ill sell them to you cheap if you want them. i have the reciept from the previous owner and the system cost him over $1100(he was kinda crazy about his cars). let me know if you want them.
10-13-06 | 12:20 PM
#4
Archie is Gay
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 354
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
What you need are some low profile SPAL fans that are high up in the CFM range. When I had my 240SX, I conducted an engineering test of different radiators and fans and determined that the SPAL fans are awesome. Those things move some SERIOUS air. You can find the test here: http://home.satx.rr.com/nissanweb/RadTest/RadTest.htm
You can buy the SPAL fans from C&R Racing in Indianapolis. They specialize in radiator and engine cooling for racing teams.
I ended up going with one on my 240 and had absolutely NO regrets about using it. It was just awesome for cooling.
I controlled it using an HKS fan controller and the system worked flawlessly. NEVER a fear of over-heating.
You can buy the SPAL fans from C&R Racing in Indianapolis. They specialize in radiator and engine cooling for racing teams.
I ended up going with one on my 240 and had absolutely NO regrets about using it. It was just awesome for cooling.
I controlled it using an HKS fan controller and the system worked flawlessly. NEVER a fear of over-heating.
10-13-06 | 02:16 PM
#7
There was a thread about aftermarket fans relative to the stock system. The concensus among those who know (not me certainly) was that it is pretty hard to improve on the stock system; the fans, not the radiator. It is not just how much CFM you move but how well they seal. I hated the stock fans, loud and I wanted a variable control, i.e. set whatever temp I wanted to have them run. When I put in my Koyo, I called Flex-a-lite, told them the dimentions and bought the fans. Rated at 2200 CFM, just like the stockers, if I remember correctly. Was putting in a SM M2 medium IC and thought the lower profile fan would free up some depth. Problem was that by the time you cut the shroud to fit around the radiator you don't get a good seal. So you could use a smaller Flex-a-lite that would seal well but not move as much CFM as the stock fans or what I did was end up putting the Flex-a-lite motors and fans in the stock shroud. Fits great and looks good plus I get my variable control. Probably more hassle than it was worth.
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10-13-06 | 02:18 PM
#8
Archie is Gay
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 354
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
No offense, but I can almost guarantee those are NOT SPAL fans.
THIS is what SPAL fans look like:
As mentioned above, a tremendous amount of the end product cooling you get with a fan depends on ducting, both in front or, around, and behind the radiator. Surprisingly though, in our test, there were a few fans that even when ducted didn't perform as well as some non-ducted fans. Case in point was the Flex-A Lite fans VS SPAL fans. Don't get me wrong, the FAL's worked pertty damn good, but when we did our test, we were shocked to see a SINGLE unducted SPAL result in better cooling than a PAIR of ducted FAL fans. It was just that the SPAL fans moved soooooo much more air.
Now how the SPAL fans compare to the stock FD fans I unfortunately couldn't tell you about. If you call C&R and talk to them, they can guide you through the process as they're experts in cooling system design. The person to talk to is Kevn Vancleave.
THIS is what SPAL fans look like:
As mentioned above, a tremendous amount of the end product cooling you get with a fan depends on ducting, both in front or, around, and behind the radiator. Surprisingly though, in our test, there were a few fans that even when ducted didn't perform as well as some non-ducted fans. Case in point was the Flex-A Lite fans VS SPAL fans. Don't get me wrong, the FAL's worked pertty damn good, but when we did our test, we were shocked to see a SINGLE unducted SPAL result in better cooling than a PAIR of ducted FAL fans. It was just that the SPAL fans moved soooooo much more air.
Now how the SPAL fans compare to the stock FD fans I unfortunately couldn't tell you about. If you call C&R and talk to them, they can guide you through the process as they're experts in cooling system design. The person to talk to is Kevn Vancleave.
Last edited by fsae_alum; 10-13-06 at 02:31 PM.
10-13-06 | 03:04 PM
#9
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From: Arlington, VA
OK> So the FD fans are rated at 2200 CFM? Is that both combined, or each? I assume that is at the fastest RPM setting... does anyone know what that RPM is, and what voltage is being fed to them at maximum?
Originally Posted by Madee
There was a thread about aftermarket fans relative to the stock system. The concensus among those who know (not me certainly) was that it is pretty hard to improve on the stock system; the fans, not the radiator. It is not just how much CFM you move but how well they seal. I hated the stock fans, loud and I wanted a variable control, i.e. set whatever temp I wanted to have them run. When I put in my Koyo, I called Flex-a-lite, told them the dimentions and bought the fans. Rated at 2200 CFM, just like the stockers, if I remember correctly. Was putting in a SM M2 medium IC and thought the lower profile fan would free up some depth. Problem was that by the time you cut the shroud to fit around the radiator you don't get a good seal. So you could use a smaller Flex-a-lite that would seal well but not move as much CFM as the stock fans or what I did was end up putting the Flex-a-lite motors and fans in the stock shroud. Fits great and looks good plus I get my variable control. Probably more hassle than it was worth.
10-13-06 | 08:26 PM
#11
Full Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 184
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From: Manville, NJ
Well I picked up two 12" spal fans from work that were just lying around. I've been thinking of attaching it to my smic because it's a stock intercooler and a free $150 fan. anyone have any thoughts on if it would be worth it?
10-14-06 | 11:02 AM
#12
Originally Posted by fsae_alum
No offense, but I can almost guarantee those are NOT SPAL fans.
THIS is what SPAL fans look like:
THIS is what SPAL fans look like:
SPAL Paddle Fan
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