E-Fans - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Maeda · 08-13-2013, 12:51 AM

Do e-fans still suck?

Or is clutchfan + shroud still the way to go?

I'm looking to upgrade my 10 year old altima fans to something that doesn't look like a kindergarteners construction paper fiasco made love.

waxball88 · 08-13-2013, 12:53 AM

A proper clutch and shroud is more than enough cooling, until it finally stress cracks and blows apart.
CFM is the name of the game, a proper shrouded e-fan set-up will do just fine and make serviceability easier compared to the oem fan and shroud.

Maeda · 08-13-2013, 12:56 AM

Ok, so lets say I can't fit a clutch fan anymore..

Do any of these cheapy shrouded e-fans work?
aka. please define proper. I don't know the CFM for the clutch fan, or any of the aftermarket buggers.

waxball88 · 08-13-2013, 01:22 AM

I run dual denso's with no issues, a solid oem quality set of e-fans should be enough with a good fitting shroud. I'll try and find a part number on the fans i have but the shroud fit just about perfect on my radiator

MrSanchez925 · 08-13-2013, 01:24 AM

I run isis dual E fans with a shroud on a stock KA... hit about 185 in stop and go traffic during the 110 degree streak in my town..

Needless to say, I'm sure my fan clutch would keep it cooler..

I'm actuially going to switch back to a fan clutch since its more reliable and cools better.

Maeda · 08-13-2013, 01:26 AM

So bonus follow-up.. Does anyone just make shrouds?

I really don't want to waste my time fabbing new stuff for every damn little thing.

MrSanchez925 · 08-13-2013, 01:30 AM

Isis makes shrouds..

You can find just shrouds for e fans on ebay.

ILoveJDM · 08-13-2013, 01:32 AM

holy fuck thats a sig i haven't seen in a long time.

Maeda · 08-13-2013, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILoveJDM

holy fuck thats a sig i haven't seen in a long time.

You know it.

Sileighty_85 · 08-13-2013, 02:03 AM

I use a set of FAL's on my RB S14. Work Great

Electric Fans

I have the ISIS Fan set on my SR, Work good as DD fans not so good on the track, They dont pull enough CFM while drifting

PeaceOnesxWai · 08-13-2013, 03:40 AM

^E-Fans can actually disturb the air intake at high speeds. OEM clutch fans have a disengage mode for high speeds.

KA24DETS14 · 08-13-2013, 08:10 AM

Its not nearly as pretty as some of the aftermarket fan shrouds and dual fan set ups but I am running the Ford Taurus fan ($12 at Pull-A-Part). Its OEM quality and it moves a ton of air. From the research I have done it moves something like 3300 cfm. If the fan motor does go bad you can buy and brand new one from Ford for $25. Another benefit is that the fan and shroud fit onto the radiator almost perfectly, I used a little sealing foam around the edges just to make sure it was pulling as much air as possible through the radiator. It does draw a good bit of amperage though and I only know of one fan controller that will handle it. I am currently working on finding or making an aluminum fan shroud the I can use with the Taurus fan just to make it look a little better but if you are not worried about how it looks and more about how it works then it will get the job done!!!

jsu1012 · 08-13-2013, 08:26 AM

i have the mishimoto Efan shroud kit with the thermostat kit. oklahoma + texas summers daily driving with a/c on no over heating. been to two events this summer and didn't over heat at all. so they win in my book.

s14SRguy · 08-13-2013, 09:10 AM

FRSPORT 214815B600 Altima OE Replacement Dual Electric Fans

That should be more than enough if you have any concern. im sure you can find them way cheaper elsewhere too.

I have a nismo thermostat and some generic e-fan. i have never had a problem with overheating.

worst thing to happen was the relay from fan/ignition went bad and it would overheat while idling. like an hour later went and bought a new relay for like $3

e fans are just fine. i prefer it personally as it keeps the engine bay cleaner

Maeda · 08-13-2013, 11:09 AM

I have an altima fan thanks. It's been great through many a track day in 100+ heat, but I was wondering if there was something as effective that was pretty.

To get the altima fan to fit you have to cut it up something ugly.

Thanks for the replies bros.

2iv0 sx · 08-13-2013, 06:20 PM

Dig into this thread... People talk about the two setups

http://zilvia.net/f/chat/415376-best...fications.html

Sileighty_85 · 08-13-2013, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeaceOnesxWai

^E-Fans can actually disturb the air intake at high speeds. OEM clutch fans have a disengage mode for high speeds.

how does it disturb the air intake when it gets pulled through a filter that will somewhat block the turbulent air and straighten the flow out that then funnels it though a MAFS or turbo inlet.

I could maybe see that being an issue if you had no filter and for whatever reason had the MAFS sitting right behind the E-fan

Interesting so tell me how does the clutch fan know when its at high speed and knows when to engage and disengage? Does it have a speed sensor on it?

omgRWDgoodness! · 08-13-2013, 09:00 PM

↑ I was always under the impression that once the water pump pulley reaches a certain RPM (such as highway speeds), the clutch starts to rotate fast enough to stop moving the fan blade. Thus "disengaging" the fan in a way.

CaptainVlad · 08-13-2013, 09:16 PM

What does your RPM have to do with "highway speeds." What rpm range is "highway speed..."?

Also, think about what powers the fan, and allows it to spin...

Hoffman5982 · 08-13-2013, 09:17 PM

I have e-fans and I hate them. They've been a pain in my ass, but mainly because I have them wired up through a thermostatic switch instead of a switch inside the cabin. Before I wired them through the fuse box using oem relays, I was having a weird problem where they would only come on if you tapped the relay. I had rewired them twice and replaced the relay and still had the same issue. Aesthetics are the only reason I still have them. I'll be using the clutch fan on my s13

rellik27 · 08-13-2013, 09:50 PM

I run a Taurus fan shit is powerful but I also run a quest alternator since it draws a lot power. Both get the job done anyways but I guess oem is less headaches/easier.

MADE · 08-14-2013, 01:47 AM

I have SPL E-fans on a S14/SR and even in SoCal I ran hotter than most folks with clutch fans in Okinawa while sitting in traffic while using A/C. Soon as I get back first mod is clutch fan.

KiDyNomiTe · 08-14-2013, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KA24DETS14

Its not nearly as pretty as some of the aftermarket fan shrouds and dual fan set ups but I am running the Ford Taurus fan ($12 at Pull-A-Part). Its OEM quality and it moves a ton of air. From the research I have done it moves something like 3300 cfm. If the fan motor does go bad you can buy and brand new one from Ford for $25. Another benefit is that the fan and shroud fit onto the radiator almost perfectly, I used a little sealing foam around the edges just to make sure it was pulling as much air as possible through the radiator. It does draw a good bit of amperage though and I only know of one fan controller that will handle it. I am currently working on finding or making an aluminum fan shroud the I can use with the Taurus fan just to make it look a little better but if you are not worried about how it looks and more about how it works then it will get the job done!!!

I run Taurus fans as well. I have mine hooked up to my haltech for a controller, no issue. It does use a lot of power, but no issues on my part. I used to run it on the low setting always, but recently switched to high setting. Never have cooling issues. Even when I was out in Jersey for ECB, track temps had to be way over 100, no issues (also have an oil cooler).

Also it really is not that ugly. Stock shroud is just as ugly.

thefro526 · 08-14-2013, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sileighty_85

how does it disturb the air intake when it gets pulled through a filter that will somewhat block the turbulent air and straighten the flow out that then funnels it though a MAFS or turbo inlet.

I could maybe see that being an issue if you had no filter and for whatever reason had the MAFS sitting right behind the E-fan

Interesting so tell me how does the clutch fan know when its at high speed and knows when to engage and disengage? Does it have a speed sensor on it?

I don't believe he was referring to the intake of the motor, but rather the intake of air through the bumper and then through the radiator and fans.

If you can imagine, fans are spinning at some speed, essentially simulating some amount of air moving through the bumper and radiator. There will be some point where the speed of the fan is actually slower then the air moving through the car while in motion, at which point the fan will want to 'spin up' to match the air speed. Without having a bunch more data in front of me, it's hard to say exactly how bad this would be, but I can imagine that at one point or another the fan will begin to cause a noticeable restriction.

With that being said, a good electric fan setup should/would have some sort of thermostatic switch as others mentioned above, meaning that the fan should only be on while it needs to be on, which is usually when the car isn't moving fast enough to get enough airflow across the radiator to remove the heat being built up.

For what it's worth, one of the biggest items that seems to be over looked when discussing fans and cooling in general is the path of air through the bumper, through the radiator and then out of the bay. Ideally, you want to make this path as smooth and free flowing as possible as it will only raise the overall efficiency of the system. Simple modifications like running a fan shroud or upper / lower 'cooling plates' can do wonders for increasing the efficiency of the cooling system. If you can imagine, you essentially want a 'sealed' path from the fan through the radiator and bumper to the open air outside of the car. This means that any air being moved by the fan HAS to go through the radiator as their is no other path, not to mention that shrouds and the like allow you to have a more even distribution of air through the rad while the fan is working, vs just putting a fan on the radiator. (fan will only pull air through it's footprint.)

Matej · 08-14-2013, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maeda

I have an altima fan thanks. It's been great through many a track day in 100+ heat, but I was wondering if there was something as effective that was pretty.

To get the altima fan to fit you have to cut it up something ugly.

It sounds as if you are using the wrong model of Altima fans. There is a specific year that people use that fits directly.

If you want nice and effective electric fans with an OEM shroud, just find a car with approximately the same size radiator, and try fitting the fans from it.

PeaceOnesxWai · 08-14-2013, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefro526

I don't believe he was referring to the intake of the motor, but rather the intake of air through the bumper and then through the radiator and fans.

If you can imagine, fans are spinning at some speed, essentially simulating some amount of air moving through the bumper and radiator. There will be some point where the speed of the fan is actually slower then the air moving through the car while in motion, at which point the fan will want to 'spin up' to match the air speed. Without having a bunch more data in front of me, it's hard to say exactly how bad this would be, but I can imagine that at one point or another the fan will begin to cause a noticeable restriction.

With that being said, a good electric fan setup should/would have some sort of thermostatic switch as others mentioned above, meaning that the fan should only be on while it needs to be on, which is usually when the car isn't moving fast enough to get enough airflow across the radiator to remove the heat being built up.

For what it's worth, one of the biggest items that seems to be over looked when discussing fans and cooling in general is the path of air through the bumper, through the radiator and then out of the bay. Ideally, you want to make this path as smooth and free flowing as possible as it will only raise the overall efficiency of the system. Simple modifications like running a fan shroud or upper / lower 'cooling plates' can do wonders for increasing the efficiency of the cooling system. If you can imagine, you essentially want a 'sealed' path from the fan through the radiator and bumper to the open air outside of the car. This means that any air being moved by the fan HAS to go through the radiator as their is no other path, not to mention that shrouds and the like allow you to have a more even distribution of air through the rad while the fan is working, vs just putting a fan on the radiator. (fan will only pull air through it's footprint.)

Well written! Exactly the point I was referring.

Definitely pick up a Thermostatic relay kit if you go E-Fan w/ shroud, they go for about $40 but its the proper way to wire up the E-Fans. Same route im going as im trying to clean up the bay, but I want to switch out those cheap plastic fans that comes with the mishimoto shrouds.. I honestly thing theyre a downgrade from OEM clutch fan.

Gar9854 · 08-14-2013, 06:31 PM

Look into a gk-tech clutch fan. I know I'll be running one with 2 mishimoto push fans wired to a thermostat switch (and a hard switch with a 1 way resistor for track days)

mr.nismo. · 08-18-2013, 12:07 PM

FAL on 190/165 sensor in the upper rad hose. Works great in Kentucky heat

jamg · 08-18-2013, 12:25 PM

I only had to trim the sides of my altima fans to get it to fit. I'm going to wire it to a switch directly. I have a water temp gauge so I'll just turn it on when I need to. At highway speeds I should be fine with airflow so I'll end up just turning it off. And back on at a stop.

Sr20Bluebird · 08-19-2013, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamg

I only had to trim the sides of my altima fans to get it to fit. I'm going to wire it to a switch directly. I have a water temp gauge so I'll just turn it on when I need to. At highway speeds I should be fine with airflow so I'll end up just turning it off. And back on at a stop.

IMO just install the thermostat control kit. It only takes one brain fart moment and you've got ka24-a la barbie

08-13-2013, 12:51 AM	#1
Maeda Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Camp Snake Bite, CA RIP Posts: 2,356 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Maeda Feedback Score: 0 reviews	E-Fans Do e-fans still suck? Or is clutchfan + shroud still the way to go? I'm looking to upgrade my 10 year old altima fans to something that doesn't look like a kindergarteners construction paper fiasco made love. __________________

08-13-2013, 12:56 AM	#3
Maeda Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Camp Snake Bite, CA RIP Posts: 2,356 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Maeda Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Ok, so lets say I can't fit a clutch fan anymore.. Do any of these cheapy shrouded e-fans work? aka. please define proper. I don't know the CFM for the clutch fan, or any of the aftermarket buggers. __________________

08-13-2013, 01:26 AM	#6
Maeda Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Camp Snake Bite, CA RIP Posts: 2,356 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Maeda Feedback Score: 0 reviews	So bonus follow-up.. Does anyone just make shrouds? I really don't want to waste my time fabbing new stuff for every damn little thing. __________________

08-13-2013, 01:32 AM	#8
ILoveJDM Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SK Canada! Posts: 1,947 Trader Rating: (27) Feedback Score: 27 reviews	holy fuck thats a sig i haven't seen in a long time. __________________ DODOlogic.ca

08-13-2013, 02:03 AM	#10
Sileighty_85 Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Misawa, Japan Posts: 6,815 Trader Rating: (8) Feedback Score: 8 reviews	I use a set of FAL's on my RB S14. Work Great Electric Fans I have the ISIS Fan set on my SR, Work good as DD fans not so good on the track, They dont pull enough CFM while drifting __________________ 後輪駆動車１番 1989 Built SR GT2871R -363whp 1998 S14 W/RB25- 250ish (For Now) 1986 SR86 - 200ish 1990 R32 GTR - 320hp Don't Buy Engines from JDM-Online http://zilvia.net/f/businesses/207457-jdm-online.html Don't Buy XS-Power or SSAC Shit

08-13-2013, 12:53 AM	#2
waxball88 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gainesville Posts: 1,061 Trader Rating: (9) Feedback Score: 9 reviews	A proper clutch and shroud is more than enough cooling, until it finally stress cracks and blows apart. CFM is the name of the game, a proper shrouded e-fan set-up will do just fine and make serviceability easier compared to the oem fan and shroud.

08-13-2013, 01:22 AM	#4
waxball88 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gainesville Posts: 1,061 Trader Rating: (9) Feedback Score: 9 reviews	I run dual denso's with no issues, a solid oem quality set of e-fans should be enough with a good fitting shroud. I'll try and find a part number on the fans i have but the shroud fit just about perfect on my radiator

08-13-2013, 01:24 AM	#5
MrSanchez925 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Martinez, Ca Age: 35 Posts: 412 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	I run isis dual E fans with a shroud on a stock KA... hit about 185 in stop and go traffic during the 110 degree streak in my town.. Needless to say, I'm sure my fan clutch would keep it cooler.. I'm actuially going to switch back to a fan clutch since its more reliable and cools better.

08-13-2013, 01:30 AM	#7
MrSanchez925 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Martinez, Ca Age: 35 Posts: 412 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	Isis makes shrouds.. You can find just shrouds for e fans on ebay.

08-13-2013, 03:40 AM	#11
PeaceOnesxWai Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SoCal Age: 32 Posts: 1,220 Trader Rating: (34) Feedback Score: 34 reviews	^E-Fans can actually disturb the air intake at high speeds. OEM clutch fans have a disengage mode for high speeds.

08-13-2013, 08:10 AM	#12
KA24DETS14 Leaky Injector Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Duluth, GA Age: 39 Posts: 57 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Its not nearly as pretty as some of the aftermarket fan shrouds and dual fan set ups but I am running the Ford Taurus fan ($12 at Pull-A-Part). Its OEM quality and it moves a ton of air. From the research I have done it moves something like 3300 cfm. If the fan motor does go bad you can buy and brand new one from Ford for $25. Another benefit is that the fan and shroud fit onto the radiator almost perfectly, I used a little sealing foam around the edges just to make sure it was pulling as much air as possible through the radiator. It does draw a good bit of amperage though and I only know of one fan controller that will handle it. I am currently working on finding or making an aluminum fan shroud the I can use with the Taurus fan just to make it look a little better but if you are not worried about how it looks and more about how it works then it will get the job done!!!

08-13-2013, 08:26 AM	#13
jsu1012 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oklahoma Age: 38 Posts: 1,116 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	i have the mishimoto Efan shroud kit with the thermostat kit. oklahoma + texas summers daily driving with a/c on no over heating. been to two events this summer and didn't over heat at all. so they win in my book. __________________ @streetstyle_jay Last edited by jsu1012; 08-14-2013 at 06:26 PM..

08-13-2013, 09:10 AM	#14
s14SRguy Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: riverside Posts: 132 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	FRSPORT 214815B600 Altima OE Replacement Dual Electric Fans That should be more than enough if you have any concern. im sure you can find them way cheaper elsewhere too. I have a nismo thermostat and some generic e-fan. i have never had a problem with overheating. worst thing to happen was the relay from fan/ignition went bad and it would overheat while idling. like an hour later went and bought a new relay for like $3 e fans are just fine. i prefer it personally as it keeps the engine bay cleaner

08-13-2013, 11:09 AM	#15
Maeda Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Camp Snake Bite, CA RIP Posts: 2,356 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Maeda Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have an altima fan thanks. It's been great through many a track day in 100+ heat, but I was wondering if there was something as effective that was pretty. To get the altima fan to fit you have to cut it up something ugly. Thanks for the replies bros. __________________

08-13-2013, 06:20 PM	#16
2iv0 sx Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lng Bch Calfna Posts: 1,442 Trader Rating: (20) Feedback Score: 20 reviews	Dig into this thread... People talk about the two setups http://zilvia.net/f/chat/415376-best...fications.html

08-13-2013, 09:00 PM	#18
omgRWDgoodness! Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Palm Beach Gardens, FL Age: 33 Posts: 1,498 Trader Rating: (48) Feedback Score: 48 reviews	↑ I was always under the impression that once the water pump pulley reaches a certain RPM (such as highway speeds), the clutch starts to rotate fast enough to stop moving the fan blade. Thus "disengaging" the fan in a way. __________________

08-13-2013, 09:16 PM	#19
CaptainVlad Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chicago, Illinois Age: 33 Posts: 329 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	What does your RPM have to do with "highway speeds." What rpm range is "highway speed..."? Also, think about what powers the fan, and allows it to spin...

08-13-2013, 09:17 PM	#20
Hoffman5982 Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Definitely NOT FL.... Age: 32 Posts: 2,504 Trader Rating: (25) Feedback Score: 25 reviews	I have e-fans and I hate them. They've been a pain in my ass, but mainly because I have them wired up through a thermostatic switch instead of a switch inside the cabin. Before I wired them through the fuse box using oem relays, I was having a weird problem where they would only come on if you tapped the relay. I had rewired them twice and replaced the relay and still had the same issue. Aesthetics are the only reason I still have them. I'll be using the clutch fan on my s13 __________________

08-13-2013, 09:50 PM	#21
rellik27 Zilvia Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: the bottom Posts: 256 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	I run a Taurus fan shit is powerful but I also run a quest alternator since it draws a lot power. Both get the job done anyways but I guess oem is less headaches/easier.

08-14-2013, 01:47 AM	#22
MADE Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Norf Norf Posts: 974 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I have SPL E-fans on a S14/SR and even in SoCal I ran hotter than most folks with clutch fans in Okinawa while sitting in traffic while using A/C. Soon as I get back first mod is clutch fan. __________________

08-14-2013, 06:31 PM	#27
Gar9854 Zilvia Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Atlanta Posts: 172 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Look into a gk-tech clutch fan. I know I'll be running one with 2 mishimoto push fans wired to a thermostat switch (and a hard switch with a 1 way resistor for track days)

08-18-2013, 12:07 PM	#28
mr.nismo. Nissanaholic! Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Oxnard, CA Age: 30 Posts: 1,890 Trader Rating: (31) Feedback Score: 31 reviews	FAL on 190/165 sensor in the upper rad hose. Works great in Kentucky heat

08-18-2013, 12:25 PM	#29
jamg Nissanaholic! Join Date: May 2009 Location: GA Posts: 2,106 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	I only had to trim the sides of my altima fans to get it to fit. I'm going to wire it to a switch directly. I have a water temp gauge so I'll just turn it on when I need to. At highway speeds I should be fine with airflow so I'll end up just turning it off. And back on at a stop.