Converting to Electric Fans anyone?

C

Former Member

Anacortes, WA - USA

Joined: 12/16/2002

Posts: 1293

Vette(s): 1979 Red #72 C3 Corvette,T-350,Black interior,air,tilt/tele,K&N.And a 1978 Olds Cutlass 350/350,auto,air,2-dr.,buckets

Anyone switch to an electric fan setup? I'm thinking of the dual fan conversion for my '79,but is there a recommended CFM I should look for?I have an automatic,& the AC is not currently hooked up. Flex-A-lite makes a nice product & they come in 4 colors! I suppose I should be more concerned with maximum amounts of air flow if I've done major engine mods,but thats not the case.So far I have a cam change,& in the future,manifold & carb changes along with headers.Thats probly going to be the extent of it.Otherwise I might go crate engine,but thats a long way off..
|toungecool|

P.S. the headers are Ceramic coated & arent installed yet(thats one of the projects)

|UPDATED|1/25/2004 2:05:42 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Jon,-Majestic Glass Corvette Club-....Red #72,blk.interior,1979 C3 Corvette-TH350,Weiand,Holley,glass tops,Pioneer,3.55's,K&N,Dynomax,Flowmaster 40's,Energy Suspension,Spicer,VB&P(pics soon); 1978 Olds Cutlass Supreme 350/350,Dk. Blue 2-door Coupe-Hotchkis,PST,K&N,XM...'99 Mitsubishi Galant GTZ V6,black/grey leather,intake,strut bars,tint... |IMG|http://www.msnusers.com/cutlasscorvetteworkinprogress/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=63|/IMG|

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Converting to Electric Fans anyone?

Posted: 1/25/04 1:36pmMessage 2 of 13

Barkingowl

Lifetime Member

CHARLOTTE, NC - USA

Joined: 6/18/2003

Posts: 398

Vette(s): 1974 Stingray coupe; 2nd-Year One crate engine 408/408 2000 DBGM C5 coupe: Stock

I'm converting to electric fans in my 74 too. We're going with a dual setup that came with the BeCool radiator package. The new engine & all the accessories are supposed to be installed next month. I'll post some pics as I get them.

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Converting to Electric Fans anyone?

Posted: 1/25/04 1:46pmMessage 3 of 13

Gunslinger

Free Member

Frederick, MD - USA

Joined: 9/8/2003

Posts: 3398

Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior

Why do you think you need to change to an electric fan system? If everything is operating OK now, there's no need. If you have an overheating problem, you need to find out why before anything else. The fan clutch Chevy put in the car is a very effective system, and unless there's a problem, you'll gain little by changing. The real advantage to eliminating the fan clutch and changing to electric fans is removing weight off the end of the water pump and increasing its life.

A change in cam, intake and carburetion shouldn't make enough of a power difference to affect engine temperature. Headers may well do so since they tend to increase underhood temperatures besides increase horsepower. At that point, maybe adding electric fans in conjunction with the fan clutch may help.

I'm just playing devil's advocate here. Nothing wrong with the mods you're thinking about. I'm just a fan of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". That being said, my '78 L82 was running a pretty constant 210 degrees. I eliminated the EGR, installed an Edelbrock Performer intake and had the Q-Jet rebuilt, and besides running stronger, the temp stays no higher than about 200 degrees.

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Converting to Electric Fans anyone?

Posted: 1/25/04 2:04pmMessage 4 of 13

C

Former Member

Anacortes, WA - USA

Joined: 12/16/2002

Posts: 1293

Vette(s): 1979 Red #72 C3 Corvette,T-350,Black interior,air,tilt/tele,K&N.And a 1978 Olds Cutlass 350/350,auto,air,2-dr.,buckets

If I had a slight overheating problem,I'd probly just add some WaterWetter.I'm just trying to free up as much HP as possible for the smallest amount of money.It also reduces engine wear/strain,longer water pump life,etc. Just something I am considering after a few other projects I'm working on. |cool|

What would I need as CFM,around 2500?

Jon,-Majestic Glass Corvette Club-....Red #72,blk.interior,1979 C3 Corvette-TH350,Weiand,Holley,glass tops,Pioneer,3.55's,K&N,Dynomax,Flowmaster 40's,Energy Suspension,Spicer,VB&P(pics soon); 1978 Olds Cutlass Supreme 350/350,Dk. Blue 2-door Coupe-Hotchkis,PST,K&N,XM...'99 Mitsubishi Galant GTZ V6,black/grey leather,intake,strut bars,tint... |IMG|http://www.msnusers.com/cutlasscorvetteworkinprogress/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=63|/IMG|

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Converting to Electric Fans anyone?

Posted: 1/25/04 2:13pmMessage 5 of 13

Gunslinger

Free Member

Frederick, MD - USA

Joined: 9/8/2003

Posts: 3398

Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior

I believe there is at least a rule of thumb to go by, if not an actual formula to determine the cfm you want to move. Try contacting Summit Racing since they sell different brands and see what their techs have to say. You could also contact Flex-A-Lite or other fan companies and ask their advice as well.

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Converting to Electric Fans anyone?

Posted: 1/26/04 3:00amMessage 6 of 13

C

Former Member

Anacortes, WA - USA

Joined: 12/16/2002

Posts: 1293

Vette(s): 1979 Red #72 C3 Corvette,T-350,Black interior,air,tilt/tele,K&N.And a 1978 Olds Cutlass 350/350,auto,air,2-dr.,buckets

http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/html/low-profile-electric.html

Jon,-Majestic Glass Corvette Club-....Red #72,blk.interior,1979 C3 Corvette-TH350,Weiand,Holley,glass tops,Pioneer,3.55's,K&N,Dynomax,Flowmaster 40's,Energy Suspension,Spicer,VB&P(pics soon); 1978 Olds Cutlass Supreme 350/350,Dk. Blue 2-door Coupe-Hotchkis,PST,K&N,XM...'99 Mitsubishi Galant GTZ V6,black/grey leather,intake,strut bars,tint... |IMG|http://www.msnusers.com/cutlasscorvetteworkinprogress/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=63|/IMG|

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Converting to Electric Fans anyone?

Posted: 1/26/04 5:06amMessage 7 of 13

m

markdtn

Former Member

Joined: 6/16/2003

Posts: 252

I have dual fans from a 96 Vette. They fit great on the 76L-81 core support. If you don't fave a lot of extra horses, you could probably use a single fan setup from an 84-89? Vette. They will cool a stock TPI. Do an internet Search on "Big Block from Hell" and there is a nice article on this swap out there.

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Converting to Electric Fans anyone?

Posted: 1/26/04 7:48amMessage 8 of 13

c

charlie c

Former Member

MEDINA, OH - USA

Joined: 1/30/2003

Posts: 111

Vette(s): 1977 dark red,buckskin int. 355small block ,built

checkout flex-a-lite #210 that is the one you would want. Is this for appearance? I agree with the others, you shouldn't need it but they look good.

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Converting to Electric Fans anyone?

Posted: 1/26/04 10:43amMessage 9 of 13

C

Former Member

Anacortes, WA - USA

Joined: 12/16/2002

Posts: 1293

Vette(s): 1979 Red #72 C3 Corvette,T-350,Black interior,air,tilt/tele,K&N.And a 1978 Olds Cutlass 350/350,auto,air,2-dr.,buckets

I'm just trying to free up as much HP as possible for the smallest amount of money.It also reduces engine wear/strain,longer water pump life,etc.And also for appearance!

In ny case it would be red-my color looks pretty darn close to yours,Charlie.Is that a factory color? I thought maybe mine was,but I've been told it wasnt |headscratch|

.The chart for '79 just says "Corvette Red" |biggrin|

Jon,-Majestic Glass Corvette Club-....Red #72,blk.interior,1979 C3 Corvette-TH350,Weiand,Holley,glass tops,Pioneer,3.55's,K&N,Dynomax,Flowmaster 40's,Energy Suspension,Spicer,VB&P(pics soon); 1978 Olds Cutlass Supreme 350/350,Dk. Blue 2-door Coupe-Hotchkis,PST,K&N,XM...'99 Mitsubishi Galant GTZ V6,black/grey leather,intake,strut bars,tint... |IMG|http://www.msnusers.com/cutlasscorvetteworkinprogress/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=63|/IMG|

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Converting to Electric Fans anyone?

Posted: 3/10/04 5:29pmMessage 10 of 13

c

chabar

Former Member