electric fan install guide in a S13

[kerv]

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone made a guide for instructions to remove the fan clutch, and install some form of electric fans. My fan clutch has seized up and I am planning on going this route.

Any links with pictures is preferred ;)

Thx,

Kev

[uiuc240]

it's really really easy.

1. Take shroud off
2. Remove 4 nuts holding fan to pulley
3. Clean off area of radiator where new fan(s) will go
4. Position fan(s) and push the black plastic zip-tie-like things through the radiator fins
5. Wire fan(s) per included instructions (don't forget a fuse)
6. Start car...drive

Sorry, no pics. It's really that simple. Once you get the fan(s) and start looking at all the parts, it just makes sense. Only thing that could be different is if you decided to wire it all up to the stock fan relay. I didn't go this route because it doesn't turn the fans on until you hit 210 degrees. I have my fan thermoswitch set to turn them on at about 190-195.

Eric

[240sxspeedracer1]

how big should one buy the fan, is 16" fittable and doable, or is there some kind of customizatoin involved?

UIUC=How much improvment(if any) did u see when you put in the electric fan?

[uiuc240]

I didn't have a shroud for my SR, so the fans went in when the motor went in. BTW, my fans are the Flex-A-Lite dual 12" fans, model #210. They work great...so does the thermoswitch. As for their effectiveness, they do fine. The thing I like best is that unlike the OEM fan, they are only on when they need to be. Then, because they flow like 2500 cfm, they only need to run for about 30 seconds. Also, I have them wired up so they can still run AFTER the ignition is off...this is good for cooling the motor on hot summer days. The engine bay actually gets a bit hotter AFTER you shut it down...briefly.

But if you're asking about a performance improvement, I have no idea. I'd imagine it frees up about 3-5 hp. Maybe.

One other good point about the fans: clearance. Now it's super easy to get to all the pulleys and whatnot.

Eric

[Tubed4evr]

I have always kinda wondered exactly how the temperature measurement for the adjustable thermo-switch is taken.
Does it take the temp of the coolant? oil? And where exactly do you take it? Do you have to punch a hole in a coolant hose or something? Any pics would also be great.

Ryan

[YellwMonky]

i've seen a couple different ways of taking the cars temp. The way i'm using right now is zip-tying a thermometer to my upper radiator hose. Another way i've seen is a thermometer you stick in your radiator fins.

[twitchy]

isnt there a way to wire the electric fan thats on the rad up so it replaces the need to go buy an electric fan seperately?

[uiuc240]

Tubed4evr: The thermostat I have has a copper probe attached to a copper capillary tube. You stuff the probe in the upper radiator hose, and then the little tube runs out of there. It includes a little piece of rubber that helps to seal off the "bump" between the tube and the rubber hose. It works, but it's not perfect.

If you want perfection and you have an SR with SR radiator, get the Blitz radiator hose. It has a molded piece designed for a temp sender...you could make this work for a thermoswitch too I bet.

Twitchy: The electric fan on the front of your radiator is small. If you want to use it, go ahead. I'll keep my 2500 cfm setup. I'll bet that fan pulls 875 cfm, TOPS.

Eric

[misnomer]

That front fan is the A/C fan, and is really designed as a backup. It will work as your main fan, but it's definitely not recommended.

[transient]

What about the thermostat that's already on the car? Isn't there any way to tap into that?

[twitchy]

Originally posted by misnomer
That front fan is the A/C fan, and is really designed as a backup. It will work as your main fan, but it's definitely not recommended.

aaaah, yeah I didnt know it was for the AC..good point

ill have to get one

[uiuc240]

Originally posted by transient
What about the thermostat that's already on the car? Isn't there any way to tap into that?

yes, just wire in to the relay for the A/C fan...but that doesn't turn on until about 210. That's HOT. Mine come on at 190...and I can change that in 2 seconds to whatever temp I want.

Eric

[Cheng]

Yea, I have the same fan Eric has. Its a great fan with out a doubt. The thermo switch is a great feature to have with the fan, because you can have it run at any temp you want.
I had to getto rig my fan, because it was just a slighty bigger then my radiator. I used 4 zip tie, i zip tied it to anywhere i could get it to hold and welded a piece up metal to fit right along the fan and the raditor. The wiring is very easy just follow the diagrams, so is the thermostate controller.
IF YOU THINK YOUR FAN IS DEAD, I SUGGEST YOU TO GO AND PICK UP A FLEX-A-LITE FAN

[kerv]

Thanks for the input guys!

Do you think a 14" flex-a-lite with 1650CFM is enough air for my stock KA? I plan on running a pulling fan so it will go right under my stock air intake tube against the radiator. I think it should fit down there. I guess I wouldn't need the preexisting stock shroud either.

I'll probably just wire the fan into my ignition for now until I get a thermostat control for it. I just want to get it working for now.

Thanks again,

Kev

[240sxspeedracer1]

Originally posted by kerv
Thanks for the input guys!

Do you think a 14" flex-a-lite with 1650CFM is enough air for my stock KA? I plan on running a pulling fan so it will go right under my stock air intake tube against the radiator. I think it should fit down there. I guess I wouldn't need the preexisting stock shroud either.

I'll probably just wire the fan into my ignition for now until I get a thermostat control for it. I just want to get it working for now.

Thanks again,

Kev

just to attach a question to that, would it be bad if the electric fan was on at all times?

[uiuc240]

1650 cfm should be OK for the stock KA. the only thing about lower cfm numbers is that it takes the fan LONGER to cool down the engine/coolant. if that's ok with you, it should be fine.

as for the fan being on all the time? that's really unnecessary, and it's a big electrical drain.

Eric

[Cheng]

I don't think it nessecary bad, but for those of us that needs to keep out temp a little bit higher an be a problem. Like with mine i have it set at a temp i feel my engine is running the smoothest. He it goes on and off and it great.