Pros and cons to each? At what point (in modifying/increasing power) is the OE clutch type no longer feasible? Any personal experience information is welcom.

 

Comparing the factory clutch fan to an electric really depends on the application and how you would actually implement the electric fan should you install one.



The clutch fan has a mechanical clutch with progressive speed based on engine bay temperature. It has a fan shroud optimized for good airflow. It takes up a lot of space though. The clutch can also fail just because these cars are so old, but electric fans can have motors fail. I have had a failed factory fan clutch and a failed electric fan motor before.

The problem is that the FC was not engineered for an electric fan (except for the small auxiliary fan on some models). Most DIY implementations of electric fans run at one or two speeds depending on how they are wired. The electric fans increase drain on the electrical system and could hurt idle quality. Some people run a manual switch or have the fans wired to ignition power. Engines with a standalone computer can control the fan based on a signal in the computer. You also have to pick a fan that flows enough air and has decent shrouding.

 

In my opinion the stock clutch fan is great.
If you want more space in the engine bay you will have to remove the fan and shroud.
I think its an astetic reason to remove the fan, or because it complicates other components in the engine bay.

For me, I removed mines because of my bigger koyo radiator. The fan shroud will not bolt up directly and would hit the clutch fan and stop it, thus burning out the clutch in the fan and making the fan always turning.

Electric fans that are good enough to cool the engine will make the alternator work harder and will burn them out quicker. Fans drawing in 15-25 amps take a serious toll on the alternator putting out 86amps or so.

 

I know the difference between the two, and I actually prefer retaining the clutch type for my setup (TII with hybrid turbo shooting for 300-350whp). I see alot of people switching over to e-fans, but wondered if there were any need other than maybe space restrictions (going v-mount etc.), or like you said an old failing clutch.

More than anything, I am bored at work and just thought I'd try to get some interesting discussion going.

 

I agree with everything you mention, this part concerns me though. I picked up a Koyo N-flow, and have not even gotten to the stage of installing/test fitting. It sounds like this may be an issue I could expect then?

 

the koyo is a thicker radiator, the stock fan has a 1.5 inch depth to fit a radiator from what I remember, most aftermarket radiator are thicker then that.
Corksport has a bigger radiator shroud, but it only bolts up to their radiators.

 

So was the issue for you with the Koyo fan clearance, or just the shroud clearance/fitment?

 

For n flow, all you need do is trim/grind down the bottom section of the shroud for the fan to clear. I'm running n flow with stock fan (and new fan clutch) in my s5 turbo vert pushing 300+ rwhp.

 

it was the shroud fitting.
I got an older style Koyo for the S5 and the stock shroud will not fit right. Since it didnt fit right, and is actually pushed an inch more towards the engine because of the bigger radiator. Since it was pushed more towards the engine, it was WAY closer to the stock fan, there was seriously 5 mm clearance between the shroud and the fan, everytime I hit a bump in the road, the fan would grind against the shroud. Last year I hit a bump the fan actually made a hole in the shroud and got stuck there, I didnt know it was stuck until my temperature gauge was going up to 240F.

 

i would keep the stock fan whenever possible.
reasons for removal have already been mentioned

 

That is a relief to hear.

So the feedback so far is kind of confirming what I already believed, that the clutch fan is superior in terms of air flow and shrouding. Just wondering if there are any other factors I am not considering other than space restrictions?

Thanks for the input so far everyone.

 

I bet you bitch about how much you get paid and how ungrateful your boss is.

You are stealing your employers time and therefore his money.

If you worked in my organization, you would be fired. I wouldn't even give you a warning.

 

so harsh lol, some jobs just have downtime. Though if he is doing this and avoiding his job that would be another story.


As for the thread, its already be beaten down but yeah only real reason to go E-Fan is for space.

 

Perhaps I am as annoyed by the blatant, useless attempted rehash of a beat-down subject as I am by a wastrel and a time thief.

I am currently working an interesting combination of retired professionals, college students and high school students in my small business. I also work in a professional relationship with a number of adult professionals who have various capacities to produce, obfuscate reality, avoid responsibility and basically bitch about how unfair life can be.

I could hire 'Illegal Workers' and increase productivity pretty dramatically. Instead I choose to teach work and job skills to young people so they can learn how to work, interact responsibly, self-motivate as well as lead and train other workers. If they don't know how to use a hammer, I can teach them. If they don't know that it is inappropriate to constantly text their girlfriend (or mommy) I will explain this to them, ONCE. Whine about the job, I will send you home.

If you steal from me, or intentionally screw off, I will fire you.

No one is entitled to a job, to keeping a job or anything else in this world. You learn your way as a youth so you can earn your way as an adult.



I also spent 15 years as a Scout Master in the BSA, mentoring 30+ Eagle Scouts. This is the best leadership training in the world. You apply for a job and tell me you are an Eagle Scout, you have a job today.

I have spent years of my time and have a keen interest in helping young people learn life and leadership skills.

I have little tolerance for screw-offs. Life is too short.

 

Lol. If I actually work the whole day, I get yelled at. Someone up top decided that everyone has to hit quota, but no one can go over. It only takes me 3-5 hours to hit the daily quota, and after that I'm just being paid to sit here. I asked about getting a raise and putting out much more work, but management wasn't interested. I have no idea what their logic could possibly be for that, but as long as they are paying me to dick around on the internet for 3 hours a day, I can't complain too much.


To make the fan shroud fit on my Ron Davis radiator I had to cut a chunk out at the top where it would hit the fan. Even with a big hole in the shroud, the better radiator gives much better cooling. I may decide to go e-fan after I get a better alt. Possibly the big 120A Taurus alt.

 

Jack- Can I have a job? I wasn't an Eagle scout.... but I was a Webelo.... I can draft, design and I can work on Rx7's?

I'm pretty happy with my e-fan.... but truthfully there is a bit of piece of mind using the stock clutch fan. With my e-fan i am paranoid and constantly worrying if it is working or not, but I do like the space in the engine bay and the looks.

 

E-fan is just more to go wrong, especially when halfassed in like many do.

Like said, stocker works fine(until the clutch fails though), e-fan looks better.

I went to an efan setup a couple years ago, and setting it up properly with a high cfm fan, temp sensor, relay, indicator light when its on, and an upgraded alternator I have over $400 in the setup, but its worth it for the piece of mind.

 

These may help:

http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/efanmyth.htm
http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/efaninstall.htm


Interesting. So even if a candidate is wholly unqualified yet tell you they were an Eagle Scout, they have a job?

Your attitude to other people's posts is also terrible. I suggest you either adjust it, or ignore the posts that annoy you so much. Life is too short, after all.

 

Lol, seriously, lighten up! I am hardly a wastrel or a time thief by any means, but I have absolutely no reason to argue that point to someone who does not know me and is basing his assessment on some message board posts.

Thanks for the links Aaron, and for everyone that responded, some good informative stuff in the thread here....time to get back to work!

 

Did the koyo nflo and godspeed Efan.
I like the overall look. You know, roomy, looks modified, and seems like it'll blow ice cold
However, I think I like the stock fan better and does the job better.

Does any have both?
Like efan and a fan without the shoud,

 

both at the same time? o_O

it wont do any good.

 

without the shroud the stock fan is absolutely completely worthless.

 

the stock clutch fan flows alot of air and really puts next to no strain on the engine when not needed.

that is all i am going to say on the subject.

getting tired of people who think that switching to an e-fan is somehow a good idea for performance reasons. i would have kept my fan clutch if i had the room to do so, and i'm sure i'm running more power than 98% of the people who think about switching.

 

stock fan > e-fan

 

V-mount > stock fan

Thruthfully though, the stock fan was great w/ the stock shroud, and space considerations aside there really isn't a valid reason to replace it. Although it is quite annoying to remove if you need to work on anything.