Cooling fan alternatives...

[SimpleS14]

I'm making this thread in regards to the KA, as the clutch fan is quite annoying IMO. Now I know of the flex-a-lite dual fans, but has anyone have experience with the new FAL-345 model: http://www.splparts.com/Parts/SilviaShared/Engine/Cooling/default.asp ?

Also I noticed the GReddy e-fans on Project Nissan...anyone have experience with those?

Then I heard of using Altima fans as a cheap alternative, as well as the A/C cooling fan. Finally I heard that the fans at Autozone are a decent alternative as well, but I will look more into that before considering it.

Does anyone else know of a good cooling fan alternative for the KA?

[kandyflip445]

I'm using Altima fans on some preset thermostatic controls from Advance. They turn on at 185* and turn off at I think 165*. And they hardly ever come on even in +90* weather unless I've been driving for awhile and then sit idling. Even then they only stay on for maybe a min. or two.

I know a member on here (Rennen) doesn't even have a fan on his and he doesn't have problems when he auto-x's. He just pops his hood and sprays it down with water between runs and he's good. lol He's NA though, I'm sure it would be much different if boosted. And I wouldn't have the balls to try and run without a fan. lol

[SimpleS14]

OK....I know I shouldn't bump old threads...but its not too old.

I've decided to go with the Ford Taurus fan (90-95 3.8L model)

A write-up can be found on 240SXforums: http://240sxforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60261

[Bizzytony]

I'm using Altima fans on some preset thermostatic controls from Advance. They turn on at 185* and turn off at I think 165*. And they hardly ever come on even in +90* weather unless I've been driving for awhile and then sit idling. Even then they only stay on for maybe a min. or two.

I know a member on here (Rennen) doesn't even have a fan on his and he doesn't have problems when he auto-x's. He just pops his hood and sprays it down with water between runs and he's good. lol He's NA though, I'm sure it would be much different if boosted. And I wouldn't have the balls to try and run without a fan. lol
running no fan while driving isnt that bad, my friend had no fan on his 300zx absoloutley 0 problems while moving, the only time the car gets hot is with a/c on, and while sitting. not that i reccomend driving with no fan.

[BoostedCoupe]

I run no fan clutch i have a switch that turns on the e-fan for the a/c and the ac is removed so with it getting cold now my car runs cold when i mean cold i mean it runs on the c on the temp gauge and thats with the fan off. But there is nothing in front of the radatior at all so i can understand it. I dont see upgrading to tarus fans just use the efan it has now.

[Neejay]

OK....I know I shouldn't bump old threads...but its not too old.

I've decided to go with the Ford Taurus fan (90-95 3.8L model)

A write-up can be found on 240SXforums: http://240sxforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60261

Yeah, I've had one for a while, but with no way to install them. All the write-ups I've seen have been for a s14. In that thread, the info for a s13 install jumps around and isn't solid. I also have been searching for a install WITH pics, to no avail. I hate electrical shit, so I'd need a "INSTALL FOR DUMMIES" version FAQ. Im surprised that no one has done one for a s13 yet. Im talking about one with pics of everything, including the relays/fuses used. Ah well, guess I'll just pay someone to install it like I did my gauges. lol.

[ilovecoupes]

its only a fan dude any electric fan will do. im using a calsonic fan that came on this thick radiator i got... probly from a stock s14 or something who knows.
i used to rock no fan on my 92 without problems... just get something to move some air through the rad and you will be fine. not exactly something to stress over

[gotta240]

ilovecoupes- haha. you must not track your car often then....or at all.

sweet! another simple write up... Still thankin you for the kouki conversion write up

[pr240sx]

I highly vouch for the Altima fans
Easy to get on Ebay or junkyards
Works and looks like stock
Both fans are dual speed
Will cool your engine as Altimas had KA engines too!!

[Sileighty_85]

im running a KIA and Hundyi?? Fans (i dont know how to Spell it)
I only got one hooked up, pulls great, with minimun amp draw, both of them fit perfectly over the radiator

[captinamy]

EDIT::: ooops...n/m this is in the KA threads...
damn the search button... >_< sorry

[pr240sx]

Hey, no problem
They are cooling my KAT quite well in tropical weather (high 90 with 80%+ humidity) and AC

Note!!!

Altima fans draw a lot of amps, proper wiring is required and you will need to bump your idle speed a bit if you have a underdrive pulley, high power stereos, extra lightning, etc
Or get a Quest alternator for that extra amps!!

[gprb25]

http://www.houston240sx.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2444

I found this pretty cool write up on the Taurus fans. I like them because they are 2 speed and hook up through the stock relays.

Neejay- i didnt look to see if they had one for S13's though.

Anyways ...hope it helps.

[whomiked]

OK....I know I shouldn't bump old threads...but its not too old.

I've decided to go with the Ford Taurus fan (90-95 3.8L model)

A write-up can be found on 240SXforums: http://240sxforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60261

So how did you like the Tarus fan?

[Xren17]

I've had the Taurus fan in my car for about a year now and it's been great. Pretty easy install and wiring.

-Ren

[g6civcx]

http://www.houston240sx.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2444

I found this pretty cool write up on the Taurus fans. I like them because they are 2 speed and hook up through the stock relays.

Neejay- i didnt look to see if they had one for S13's though.

Anyways ...hope it helps.

OK, I highly highly recommend that you do not use that writeup to wire up your own Taurus fan. Here's why.

1) Taurus fans have been known to pull well over 39+A. The stock circuitry is only designed to handle 30A. You may reuse the stock wiring and relay, but make sure that your fan does not exceed 30A. FAL have low 19A nominal draws and a max of 30A. This is what I have. It's expensive, but it works and it's safe for the electrical system.

2) Don't ever pull a small fuse and put a bigger fuse in its place. In that writeup he pulled out the stock 30A fuse and put in a 50A fuse. Looking at the wire gauge in that circuit, 50A is too much for the 12 gauge wire. Nissan uses really small wire gauges from the factory (I guess to save cost). Loading the circuit with up to 50A is a disaster waiting to happen.

If you want to run Taurus fans, just wire it up with thicker 8 or at least 10 gauge wires, fuse, and run your own 50A relay. You can tap the control signal on the stock relay and route it to your relay. It's not that hard.

Wiring and electronics is not something you want to mess with if you don't know what's going on. It takes a lot of forethought and planning when designing a circuit. If you want I'll show you how to wire you own circuit. It's not that hard if you spend some time thinking about it.

Be safe.

[g6civcx]

I'm making this thread in regards to the KA, as the clutch fan is quite annoying IMO. Now I know of the flex-a-lite dual fans, but has anyone have experience with the new FAL-345 model: http://www.splparts.com/Parts/SilviaShared/Engine/Cooling/default.asp ?

Also I noticed the GReddy e-fans on Project Nissan...anyone have experience with those?

Then I heard of using Altima fans as a cheap alternative, as well as the A/C cooling fan. Finally I heard that the fans at Autozone are a decent alternative as well, but I will look more into that before considering it.

Does anyone else know of a good cooling fan alternative for the KA?

I highly recommend that you get a 220 and run your own thermostat and fan controller. I thought about the 345 as well, but you're paying extra for the brackets and the thermostat. You can save over $100 if you get the 220. I was hesitant at first but the 220 is actually really easy to install. You don't need the brackets.

I think the FAL thermal probe is ghetto. You slide it in between your radiator fins. Go to their site and read the install.

I've seen a lot of them fall out. You need a temp sensor secure mounted somewhere in the cooling system.

I have mine mounted in the OEM location and hooked up to the Racepak with built-in fan controller. You can use something like a DiF for better accuracy than the FAL probe.

[LA_phantom_240]

My car runs no thermostat, no clutch fan, and a single 14" TorqFlo (AutoZone... I work there, discount ftw) with a thermostatic control that turns on at 180* and shuts off at 170*. Never once has it turned on on its own this winter.

[DRFT180]

Your motor is supposed to run at a certain temp due to tolerences and such. Running a motor too cold is just as bad as running too hot.

[LA_phantom_240]

How so? I'd like to know, that way I have a damn good reason to put a thermo in there.

[Xren17]

g6civcx - Let me get your take on this. Since I didn't replace the 30A fuse and had my AC at full blast in socal without any issue for almost a year. Then it's safe to assume that my Taurus fan hasn't exceeded 30A. Beside, I wired a little differently than in the write up. I do agree with you that you shouldn't replace the fuse and another relay with a bigger gauge wire is a good idea.

[importdude]

Taurus fan is what i have
its awesome following that guide

I have one for sale if u want lmk by pm

[fromxtor]

I'm using this one
http://a763.g.akamai.net/7/763/1644/v003/app.infopia.com/img/image/fp/VPID/3234178/img003/img.jpg

[HyperTek]

I had a taurus fan in my s13, was great, dam powerful.. had put it in to replace a 13' flex a lite s-blade that would overheat in summer with the fmic/sr20.. remember if you have a fmic, it can ristrict air flow to your radiator in traffic.

im debating if i want to put one in my fc or not.

[stinky_180]

i use a ford tempo v6 electrical fan on my 240sx. it has two fan speeds and is shourded (SP?). when i say shourded i meant, it covers the entire radiator like a shroud, and the fan off centered and electrical. highest speed is wired to a switch and lower setting is wired to stock ac fan switch on lower radiator hose. no problems for the year i've had it.

[g6civcx]

How so? I'd like to know, that way I have a damn good reason to put a thermo in there.

The purpose of a thermostat is to control coolant flow. When coolant temp is below the threshold, the thermostat is closed. No coolant flows and the car heats up more quickly.

When coolant temp reaches a certain threshold, the thermostat opens and coolant is able to freely circulate, thus decreasing engine temp.

This allows you to get the motor as close to ideal operating temperature as possible. Most thermostats are somewhere between 160*F and 190*F, with the majority being 180*.

This is basic engine operations that they teach in the first day of the cooling system portion for technicians. If you work at an auto parts, you should have access to repair books. Just flip through a couple of them and browse through the cooling section.

[g6civcx]

g6civcx - Let me get your take on this. Since I didn't replace the 30A fuse and had my AC at full blast in socal without any issue for almost a year. Then it's safe to assume that my Taurus fan hasn't exceeded 30A. Beside, I wired a little differently than in the write up. I do agree with you that you shouldn't replace the fuse and another relay with a bigger gauge wire is a good idea.

Not necessarily. I'm not sure how you wired it. It's something I have to see to know, unless you have detailed pictures and diagram of how you wired it up. Without seeing I don't know if it's safe or not.

As far as exceeding 30A, maybe yours doesn't, but others have confirmed that the Taurus fans have been known to pull 39+A. That's why the author of that writeup decided to put in a 50A fuse to protect the fan. Good for the fan, but bad for the thin wires that can't support 50A without overheating.

Is your fuse even good? Sometimes fuses can go bad and just act like a solid connection. Are you even routing power through the fuse?

Again I wouldn't know the answer to these questions without first seeing what you have.