Question: Thoughts on taking off fan blades / replacing them with electric fan

[island]

Just curious if anyone had heard anything about replacing the Fan with an electric fan, tring to up the HP?
Thanks

'96 4x4, v6

[This message has been edited by island (edited 04-28-2000).]

 

[Scott B.]

I've heard of it - some people swear by it. I have not done it yet, but plan to this summer.

Flex-A-Lite makes a fan with custom bracketry - it is said to just bolt on. I think it is worth looking in to.


------------------
Scott
1993 Ranger, Modified

sjbosso@mindspring.com

 

[Rick]

Please read this post: Dead Link Removed

Especially the second page where I talk about my experience with the Flex-a-lite black magic.

I hope to save you some money and a headache.

------------------
Rick Horwitz
Editor
explorer@4x4central.com
www.4x4central.com
Ricks Explorer

 

[island]

Rick thanks for the information, I will be looking much more seriously before going ahead. I'll check into maybe getting a stock fan instead of an aftermarket job.

Just out of curiousity, I noticed in the other thread, you said you had the cat back exhaust and had other modifications to improve performance, which ones did you feel were the most cost / performance effective?
Thanks

 

[Rick]

The hi-flow cat and cat back exhaust made the most noticable difference in performance.

 

[PunkChild]

I have another question related to the electric fan. I've heard that if you put on a flex-a-lite fan it adds a little hp because it's easier to spin. Is this true? Thanks for any help.

------------------
Jim Ferrarini
Skaman0182@yahoo.com
96 Sport 5-speed
JBA headers
Borla cat-back exhaust
modified airbox
K&N filter
+4 plugs
8.5mm wires
other small mods.
Coming soon:
K&N filter kit

 

[Scott B.]

Jim,

You ask about a flex-a-lite fan - Flex-A-Lite is a brand name. The 2 types of add on fans are an electric fan and a flex fan.

Electric fan - a fan, powered by an electric motor, can push or pull air. If used as a replacement to the engine driven fan, you might a slight HP improvement. Can also be used as an auxillary fan, in addition to the factory fan.

Flex fan - a fan, fixed to the water pump (no viscous or thermal coupling), spins at engine speed. At high RPM, blades will flex to almost flat, reducing both their resistance through the air as well as volume of air moved (basically zero). This is great at high vehicle speeds, as moving vehicle moves air through radiator. However, when the fan flexes at high engine speeds, and you are rock crawling, you have a greater chance of overheating, since the vehicle speed is not moving air through the radiator.

Hope this makes sense.


------------------
Scott
1993 Ranger, Modified

sjbosso@mindspring.com

 

[damon]

Flex-a-lite electric fans just don't move
enough air for a daily driver. See if you
can find an electric fan off a 94+ mustang.
Moves a ton of air and should in ok w/some
fabbing.

--damon