NZ is right, the fans probably cool about the same. I personally have a civic fan (trust me... i can feel the wind far behind the car on my feet, its fine) wired up to a relay to come on when the car is on the "on" position". yada yada it needs a thermostat on it yada yada, **** it, the mechanical thermostat will keep the temperature at 180*F all the time, of course it varies maybe 5degrees depending on how hard im driving ect ect. This is on an 87Base and yes its "ricer boy" ziped tyed up there (not through the core). The reason i have an electric over mechanical is it SERIOUSLY cleans the engine bay up, its more compact, lighter, and you can work on the car without having to worry about cutting your finger or something. But, all in all, cools about the same id guess.

As far as the "accels faster" probably not too much, but you can feel a little pep in the engine, it seemed to me when i had the mech fan on there that it would rev slower at a standstill, which, obviously means its got some drag on it. But, i have no proof in saying either way, just what it "feels" like. Im pretty sure at WOT the revs arnt fast enough to put the drag on it to slow it down enough to make a difference, eh, im rambling.

 

I use my stock fan shroud as a tools and parts tray. I'd miss that.

 

Me, too.