2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

using a pusher fan

Old Apr 16, 2003 | 07:23 PM
  #1  
Fingers's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,788
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario
using a pusher fan

In an attempt to have a tidy and uncluttered engine bay, would it be possible to use a pusher fan instead of a puller? I know it wouldnt be as efficient as a puller.

is this a bad idea?
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 07:52 PM
  #2  
bl|nk's Avatar
Fok mi
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: Sioux Falls, SD
I don't think a pusher can come close to getting enough air flow through the radiator... A puller isn't that big.. and it'll protect the fins of the radiator from damage in yoru uncluttered engine bay
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 08:07 PM
  #3  
Fingers's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,788
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario
I think the protection of the fins is more important in the front where debris can fly up and hit the rad fan will chew it up LOL

Seriously though... you're telling me that the same fan, when positioned as a pusher instead of a puller will do an iadequate job of cooling???
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 08:42 PM
  #4  
bl|nk's Avatar
Fok mi
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: Sioux Falls, SD
same fan? how do you figure? the fan has to be able to reverse it's direction to be a pusher then a regular puller..

the front is pretty well protected it's not in the very front of the car
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 08:45 PM
  #5  
ponykiller's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 819
Likes: 0
From: KC
all you do is switch the polarity of the wires on the Efan to make it a push instead of pull...
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 08:54 PM
  #6  
Fingers's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,788
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Originally posted by ponykiller
all you do is switch the polarity of the wires on the Efan to make it a push instead of pull...
Bingo.

So my question remains. Same fan. Mounted on the other side of the rad. Polarity reversed. Same effect?
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 09:05 PM
  #7  
skyypilot's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
More than likely, I would have to say Yes...
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 09:22 PM
  #8  
Evil Aviator's Avatar
Rotorhead
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 9,136
Likes: 39
From: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Originally posted by Fingers
Bingo.

So my question remains. Same fan. Mounted on the other side of the rad. Polarity reversed. Same effect?
A puller fan will yield a higher airflow rate through the radiator core than a pusher fan. Also, running a fan in reverse will sometimes reduce its efficiency, depending on the design. If you want a pusher fan, then you should use one designed as a pusher or as a universal pusher/puller. Also note that straight bladed fans are generally more efficient than curved blade fans, although the straight blade fans are louder.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 11:16 PM
  #9  
Scott 89t2's Avatar
SOLD THE RX-7!
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,451
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
pusher will work around 75-80% as good as the same fan pulling.

if you use it as a pusher. it won't be moving any air though the oil cooler either though.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2003 | 07:30 AM
  #10  
Fingers's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,788
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario
how would it be ANY different from a puller fan though? I don't get it. its the same exact thing. It mounts in the same damn spot, just on the other side.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2003 | 10:39 AM
  #11  
Rob500's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach, CA, USA
Try pushing on a string. Doesn't go very good. Pulling on the string works better. Air doesn't push as good as it pulls.

Rob
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2003 | 10:47 AM
  #12  
Center of The Universe's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Santa Barbara, CA
With a pusher, are you fighting the natural air flow passing throught the radiator? Kinna' makes sense on a radiator. I mean a radiator is like a big heat sink. You should have the heat pulled away. Right?
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2003 | 11:49 AM
  #13  
Trav's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Originally posted by Rob500
Try pushing on a string. Doesn't go very good. Pulling on the string works better. Air doesn't push as good as it pulls.

Rob
LOL, great illustration. Fluid dynamics baby -- air is a fluid just like water. Again, easier to pull water than to push it. Check out some websites on airflow, fluid dynamics, etc. I can't really explain it myself and there are people who make a living explaining it that would do a much better job.

Bottom line, it is more efficient to pull the air than to push. Most e-fans say so right in the in instructions.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2003 | 03:14 PM
  #14  
Fingers's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,788
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario
welp, i have been offered a fiero fan without the shroud for $25. I went to check it out. but decided not to buy it because without the shroud, it'd be difficult to mount since the mounting points are behind the fan. I'll just buy a good aftermarket fan Like the fingerchopper
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
atticus_jay
Interior / Exterior / Audio
6
Oct 23, 2015 11:16 AM
rotor_veux
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
7
Sep 19, 2015 07:13 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:07 AM.