E-Fans

[Maeda]

Do e-fans still suck?

Or is clutchfan + shroud still the way to go?

I'm looking to upgrade my 10 year old altima fans to something that doesn't look like a kindergarteners construction paper fiasco made love.

[waxball88]

A proper clutch and shroud is more than enough cooling, until it finally stress cracks and blows apart.
CFM is the name of the game, a proper shrouded e-fan set-up will do just fine and make serviceability easier compared to the oem fan and shroud.

[Maeda]

Ok, so lets say I can't fit a clutch fan anymore..

Do any of these cheapy shrouded e-fans work?
aka. please define proper. I don't know the CFM for the clutch fan, or any of the aftermarket buggers.

[waxball88]

I run dual denso's with no issues, a solid oem quality set of e-fans should be enough with a good fitting shroud. I'll try and find a part number on the fans i have but the shroud fit just about perfect on my radiator

[MrSanchez925]

I run isis dual E fans with a shroud on a stock KA... hit about 185 in stop and go traffic during the 110 degree streak in my town..

Needless to say, I'm sure my fan clutch would keep it cooler..

I'm actuially going to switch back to a fan clutch since its more reliable and cools better.

[Maeda]

So bonus follow-up.. Does anyone just make shrouds?

I really don't want to waste my time fabbing new stuff for every damn little thing.

[MrSanchez925]

Isis makes shrouds..

You can find just shrouds for e fans on ebay.

[ILoveJDM]

holy fuck thats a sig i haven't seen in a long time.

[Maeda]

holy fuck thats a sig i haven't seen in a long time.

You know it. :kiss:

[Sileighty_85]

I use a set of FAL's on my RB S14. Work Great

Electric Fans (http://www.frsport.com/Electric-Fans_c_28.html)

I have the ISIS Fan set on my SR, Work good as DD fans not so good on the track, They dont pull enough CFM while drifting

[PeaceOnesxWai]

^E-Fans can actually disturb the air intake at high speeds. OEM clutch fans have a disengage mode for high speeds.

[KA24DETS14]

Its not nearly as pretty as some of the aftermarket fan shrouds and dual fan set ups but I am running the Ford Taurus fan ($12 at Pull-A-Part). Its OEM quality and it moves a ton of air. From the research I have done it moves something like 3300 cfm. If the fan motor does go bad you can buy and brand new one from Ford for $25. Another benefit is that the fan and shroud fit onto the radiator almost perfectly, I used a little sealing foam around the edges just to make sure it was pulling as much air as possible through the radiator. It does draw a good bit of amperage though and I only know of one fan controller that will handle it. I am currently working on finding or making an aluminum fan shroud the I can use with the Taurus fan just to make it look a little better but if you are not worried about how it looks and more about how it works then it will get the job done!!!

[jsu1012]

i have the mishimoto Efan shroud kit with the thermostat kit. oklahoma + texas summers daily driving with a/c on no over heating. been to two events this summer and didn't over heat at all. so they win in my book.

[s14SRguy]

FRSPORT 214815B600 Altima OE Replacement Dual Electric Fans (http://www.frsport.com/Altima-OE-Replacement-Dual-Electric-Fans_p_3097.html)

That should be more than enough if you have any concern. im sure you can find them way cheaper elsewhere too.

I have a nismo thermostat and some generic e-fan. i have never had a problem with overheating.

worst thing to happen was the relay from fan/ignition went bad and it would overheat while idling. like an hour later went and bought a new relay for like $3

e fans are just fine. i prefer it personally as it keeps the engine bay cleaner

[Maeda]

I have an altima fan thanks. It's been great through many a track day in 100+ heat, but I was wondering if there was something as effective that was pretty.

To get the altima fan to fit you have to cut it up something ugly.

Thanks for the replies bros.

[2iv0 sx]

Dig into this thread... People talk about the two setups

http://zilvia.net/f/chat/415376-best-cooling-modifications.html

[Sileighty_85]

^E-Fans can actually disturb the air intake at high speeds. OEM clutch fans have a disengage mode for high speeds.

how does it disturb the air intake when it gets pulled through a filter that will somewhat block the turbulent air and straighten the flow out that then funnels it though a MAFS or turbo inlet.

I could maybe see that being an issue if you had no filter and for whatever reason had the MAFS sitting right behind the E-fan

Interesting so tell me how does the clutch fan know when its at high speed and knows when to engage and disengage? Does it have a speed sensor on it?

[omgRWDgoodness!]

↑ I was always under the impression that once the water pump pulley reaches a certain RPM (such as highway speeds), the clutch starts to rotate fast enough to stop moving the fan blade. Thus "disengaging" the fan in a way.

[CaptainVlad]

What does your RPM have to do with "highway speeds." What rpm range is "highway speed..."?

Also, think about what powers the fan, and allows it to spin...

[Hoffman5982]

I have e-fans and I hate them. They've been a pain in my ass, but mainly because I have them wired up through a thermostatic switch instead of a switch inside the cabin. Before I wired them through the fuse box using oem relays, I was having a weird problem where they would only come on if you tapped the relay. I had rewired them twice and replaced the relay and still had the same issue. Aesthetics are the only reason I still have them. I'll be using the clutch fan on my s13

[rellik27]

I run a Taurus fan shit is powerful but I also run a quest alternator since it draws a lot power. Both get the job done anyways but I guess oem is less headaches/easier.

[MADE]

I have SPL E-fans on a S14/SR and even in SoCal I ran hotter than most folks with clutch fans in Okinawa while sitting in traffic while using A/C. Soon as I get back first mod is clutch fan.

[KiDyNomiTe]

Its not nearly as pretty as some of the aftermarket fan shrouds and dual fan set ups but I am running the Ford Taurus fan ($12 at Pull-A-Part). Its OEM quality and it moves a ton of air. From the research I have done it moves something like 3300 cfm. If the fan motor does go bad you can buy and brand new one from Ford for $25. Another benefit is that the fan and shroud fit onto the radiator almost perfectly, I used a little sealing foam around the edges just to make sure it was pulling as much air as possible through the radiator. It does draw a good bit of amperage though and I only know of one fan controller that will handle it. I am currently working on finding or making an aluminum fan shroud the I can use with the Taurus fan just to make it look a little better but if you are not worried about how it looks and more about how it works then it will get the job done!!!

I run Taurus fans as well. I have mine hooked up to my haltech for a controller, no issue. It does use a lot of power, but no issues on my part. I used to run it on the low setting always, but recently switched to high setting. Never have cooling issues. Even when I was out in Jersey for ECB, track temps had to be way over 100, no issues (also have an oil cooler).

Also it really is not that ugly. Stock shroud is just as ugly.

[thefro526]

how does it disturb the air intake when it gets pulled through a filter that will somewhat block the turbulent air and straighten the flow out that then funnels it though a MAFS or turbo inlet.

I could maybe see that being an issue if you had no filter and for whatever reason had the MAFS sitting right behind the E-fan

Interesting so tell me how does the clutch fan know when its at high speed and knows when to engage and disengage? Does it have a speed sensor on it?

I don't believe he was referring to the intake of the motor, but rather the intake of air through the bumper and then through the radiator and fans.

If you can imagine, fans are spinning at some speed, essentially simulating some amount of air moving through the bumper and radiator. There will be some point where the speed of the fan is actually slower then the air moving through the car while in motion, at which point the fan will want to 'spin up' to match the air speed. Without having a bunch more data in front of me, it's hard to say exactly how bad this would be, but I can imagine that at one point or another the fan will begin to cause a noticeable restriction.

With that being said, a good electric fan setup should/would have some sort of thermostatic switch as others mentioned above, meaning that the fan should only be on while it needs to be on, which is usually when the car isn't moving fast enough to get enough airflow across the radiator to remove the heat being built up.

For what it's worth, one of the biggest items that seems to be over looked when discussing fans and cooling in general is the path of air through the bumper, through the radiator and then out of the bay. Ideally, you want to make this path as smooth and free flowing as possible as it will only raise the overall efficiency of the system. Simple modifications like running a fan shroud or upper / lower 'cooling plates' can do wonders for increasing the efficiency of the cooling system. If you can imagine, you essentially want a 'sealed' path from the fan through the radiator and bumper to the open air outside of the car. This means that any air being moved by the fan HAS to go through the radiator as their is no other path, not to mention that shrouds and the like allow you to have a more even distribution of air through the rad while the fan is working, vs just putting a fan on the radiator. (fan will only pull air through it's footprint.)

[Matej]

I have an altima fan thanks. It's been great through many a track day in 100+ heat, but I was wondering if there was something as effective that was pretty.

To get the altima fan to fit you have to cut it up something ugly.
It sounds as if you are using the wrong model of Altima fans. There is a specific year that people use that fits directly.

If you want nice and effective electric fans with an OEM shroud, just find a car with approximately the same size radiator, and try fitting the fans from it.

[PeaceOnesxWai]

I don't believe he was referring to the intake of the motor, but rather the intake of air through the bumper and then through the radiator and fans.

If you can imagine, fans are spinning at some speed, essentially simulating some amount of air moving through the bumper and radiator. There will be some point where the speed of the fan is actually slower then the air moving through the car while in motion, at which point the fan will want to 'spin up' to match the air speed. Without having a bunch more data in front of me, it's hard to say exactly how bad this would be, but I can imagine that at one point or another the fan will begin to cause a noticeable restriction.

With that being said, a good electric fan setup should/would have some sort of thermostatic switch as others mentioned above, meaning that the fan should only be on while it needs to be on, which is usually when the car isn't moving fast enough to get enough airflow across the radiator to remove the heat being built up.

For what it's worth, one of the biggest items that seems to be over looked when discussing fans and cooling in general is the path of air through the bumper, through the radiator and then out of the bay. Ideally, you want to make this path as smooth and free flowing as possible as it will only raise the overall efficiency of the system. Simple modifications like running a fan shroud or upper / lower 'cooling plates' can do wonders for increasing the efficiency of the cooling system. If you can imagine, you essentially want a 'sealed' path from the fan through the radiator and bumper to the open air outside of the car. This means that any air being moved by the fan HAS to go through the radiator as their is no other path, not to mention that shrouds and the like allow you to have a more even distribution of air through the rad while the fan is working, vs just putting a fan on the radiator. (fan will only pull air through it's footprint.)

Well written! Exactly the point I was referring.


Definitely pick up a Thermostatic relay kit if you go E-Fan w/ shroud, they go for about $40 but its the proper way to wire up the E-Fans. Same route im going as im trying to clean up the bay, but I want to switch out those cheap plastic fans that comes with the mishimoto shrouds.. I honestly thing theyre a downgrade from OEM clutch fan.

[Gar9854]

Look into a gk-tech clutch fan. I know I'll be running one with 2 mishimoto push fans wired to a thermostat switch (and a hard switch with a 1 way resistor for track days)

[mr.nismo.]

FAL on 190/165 sensor in the upper rad hose. Works great in Kentucky heat

[jamg]

I only had to trim the sides of my altima fans to get it to fit. I'm going to wire it to a switch directly. I have a water temp gauge so I'll just turn it on when I need to. At highway speeds I should be fine with airflow so I'll end up just turning it off. And back on at a stop.

[Sr20Bluebird]

I only had to trim the sides of my altima fans to get it to fit. I'm going to wire it to a switch directly. I have a water temp gauge so I'll just turn it on when I need to. At highway speeds I should be fine with airflow so I'll end up just turning it off. And back on at a stop.

IMO just install the thermostat control kit. It only takes one brain fart moment and you've got ka24-a la barbie

[jamg]

IMO just install the thermostat control kit. It only takes one brain fart moment and you've got ka24-a la barbie

i dont mind. i'd rather do it that way. so i'm aware of everything going on.

[Maeda]

It sounds as if you are using the wrong model of Altima fans. There is a specific year that people use that fits directly.

I did not think of this.

the ones i have look like this..
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/3379/4461/33447230016_large.jpg

they're also not in a 240 anyway..


what year altima fans are these?

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8546610767_633a13300b.jpg

[Boost_Fiend]

With the clutch fan gone I can change my oil without having to jack my car up. That right there makes the mod worth every penny.

[KiDyNomiTe]

i dont mind. i'd rather do it that way. so i'm aware of everything going on.

You will forget.

I had mine to a switch at one point, it was a pain. I forgot once or twice, but luckily never went too hot. Switched to having my ECU control it now. Way better.

[aga]

i think i have altimas too, though in mine the fans are separate, not in a single piece of plastic. and i think the fans are black ...anyway i have them on a thermostatic switch on the lower rad hose, and they start working at 90-91C , and within 10-15 seconds they drop the temp to 83-84C...never had any problems. i believe a vented hood would help a lot in many cases...

[Matej]

I did not think of this.
Sorry, just looked it up and it seems that all the Altima fans need to be trimmed. For some reason I thought there was a specific year that fits directly, though that may have just been a rumour.

However, I think people could possibly have better luck test-fitting the fans from other smaller cars that came with the FWD KA/SR, such as Sentras or G20s.

[codyace]

The thing I always wonder about with 'fan tests' is where are people getting their coolant temps at location wise? Before head/after head? In the radiator itself or in the coolant tract.

In my case I like knowing both...one to make sure the fans are working, and two to make sure the engine isn't hotter than the sun, and a big radiator is simply clouting the true readings.

In my situation, the keys to success are:
Good radiator
Altima Fans
Proper wiring and relays
Quality Fan Controller
Upper cooling plate, and the lower oem plastics.

Middle of summer at NJMP or Pocono it'll be 95* ambient, and probably 100-105* 'track air' temp...yet I'm full throttle, full brakes, full on beat the shit out of my car to go fast mode,for 25 minutes, and I'm seeing *maybe* 215* water temps at most, POST head at the end of a session? Nothing wrong there, especially when water to head inlet temps are usually hovering around thermostat temp.

I find it hard to believe people when they say E fans suck, as there isn't a clutch fan out there that is going to keep it 'cooler' then that. Atop of that on any car that sees the track, there is nothing more frustratin gthan working around that shroud in fan in the event you need to fix something fast or what not.



Quality E fan setup>Clutch Fan Setup>Cheapy E Fan setup.

[codyace]

To get the altima fan to fit you have to cut it up something ugly.

Thanks for the replies bros.

No ya don't: And all you need is some slight timming on the sides to clear things you wanna keep (like the drier if you want to retain A/C on the car).

The engine bay may be ugly, but its' a track car...things need to come off quickly, with no hassle going back on.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i_ygepNDjMw/UEax5neYpaI/AAAAAAAAAao/rJGvu9erQ1s/w1253-h835-no/IMG_4592.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Vilpk2ccRMM/UEaxrIh87GI/AAAAAAAAAYs/ITeG43a-yTg/w1227-h835-no/IMG_4560.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1MG7HbWJobI/UEax2ZCamNI/AAAAAAAAAaM/SNa5rmH6sP8/w1358-h588-no/IMG_4585.JPG



It sounds as if you are using the wrong model of Altima fans. There is a specific year that people use that fits directly.

If you want nice and effective electric fans with an OEM shroud, just find a car with approximately the same size radiator, and try fitting the fans from it.

Not a single one bolts up, nor slides in (on the bottom) directly, across both U13 and L31 platforms. Same can be said for the Maxima fans, and Sentra fans.

[riptor]

No ya don't: And all you need is some slight timming on the sides to clear things you wanna keep (like the drier if you want to retain A/C on the car).

The engine bay may be ugly, but its' a track car...things need to come off quickly, with no hassle going back on.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i_ygepNDjMw/UEax5neYpaI/AAAAAAAAAao/rJGvu9erQ1s/w1253-h835-no/IMG_4592.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Vilpk2ccRMM/UEaxrIh87GI/AAAAAAAAAYs/ITeG43a-yTg/w1227-h835-no/IMG_4560.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1MG7HbWJobI/UEax2ZCamNI/AAAAAAAAAaM/SNa5rmH6sP8/w1358-h588-no/IMG_4585.JPG





Not a single one bolts up, nor slides in (on the bottom) directly, across both U13 and L31 platforms. Same can be said for the Maxima fans, and Sentra fans.
I think cody just wanted an excuse to show off his sexy sexy engine bay! lolol. :snoop:

[codyace]

I think cody just wanted an excuse to show off his sexy sexy engine bay! lolol. :snoop:

LOL! I wish it was cleaner, I should really wipe that off and polish the pipes better, but that was sorta close to a track day and didn't have time. (Thanks for the compliment though!)

[jamg]

You will forget.

I had mine to a switch at one point, it was a pain. I forgot once or twice, but luckily never went too hot. Switched to having my ECU control it now. Way better.

I also have gauges which i will be checking constantly.

water temp being one of them. if i forget i've got another way of reminding myself.
i've got oil pressure, wideband, boost, water temp.

[om3ga]

The stock clutch fan and shroud setup is typically always best if you can run it. A lot of high hp builds run the stock clutch fan and shroud and have no issues.

It is really a foolproof design unless of course it blows apart like previously mentioned.

This car has 510 hp with a stock fan setup and has no issues.

http://image.turbomagazine.com/f/9069629/0701_turp_02_z+nissan_s15_silvia+engine_bay.jpg

You could also get really rad ass and get one of these bad boys (GP Sports Megatech fan blade)

http://www.gpsports.co.jp/otr/fan/image/fan_02.jpg

If you do go with E-Fans the new Mishimoto setup is pretty nice.

[codyace]

I bet that 510 runs good!

There is no doubt the stock clutch works perfectly well, I'll never doubt that at all. There are def some 'e fan fanboys' who don't understand that lol.

[Z28ricer]

I like to install these, i'm convinced if you put a stock clutch fan on the ground in front of the car, it would get sucked clean through an intercooler and radiator by them.

https://sphotos-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/313447_10150444224713593_1682667389_n.jpg

[Maeda]

Koguchi told me to run the stock fan.

Cody - obviously i cut my fan up wrong because yours fan is pretty.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Maeda/e30/P1000721.jpg

See on the left side of the picture. One hole sits below the hole, and the other sits to the side. wtf? Are these mounting holes complete different on the KA radiator vs the SR?
Or maybe i don't have an altima fan after-all?

I can't believe my car has less room in the engine bay than a 510, so e-fan is my only option really. again wtf?