Going with electric fans for the radiator on my '02

[win]

Finally got some time today to finish up my electric fan install: Astonishing how much noise went away with the OEM fan!

Used a pair of RapidCool 12" fans, each rated at 1650 CFM, a trio of 70 amp SPDT relays, a Ford Windstar a/c pressure switch and a early BMW Z3 4 cyl temp switch.

The temp switch is an 80°/88°C switch (176°/190°F). Used a brass bung cut from a BMW radiator, a 1/4" brass T fitting and a couple hose barbs all silver soldered together. The sensor is on the radiator's transmission cooler outlet line. Because of the fluid to fluid heat exchange, the outlet from the cooler should be a very accurate indication of the radiator's outlet water temp. Still, to play is safe, I used the lowest temp sensor I could find. Had I mounted the temp switch on the intake manifold, I'd have used a higher temp switch.

Shell of the fan is 1 1/2" aluminum angle riveted to an aluminum plate, made the upper left mounting ear removable to more easily clear the trans cooler inlet.

Made some air flaps so while cruising down the highway, excess air can escape into the engine bay, but if the fans kick on, the flaps will be "sucked shut".

Installed a divider between the two fans. Should one die, the other will still be able to draw air through the radiator rather than in through the dead fan.

Each fan is separately fused, if one fan does die, only the high temp switch or high pressure switch will kick on the one fan, but that's better than total cooling failure.

I'd kept a leaking V8 radiator just for the fit and dimensions, made the day of install an all but "drop in" event.

Used a body to hood seal from a BMW 5 series to seal the fan assembly to the radiator.

Yea, it's TIGHT in there! Had to trim off the original fan clutch stub on the water pump!

Temp switch:

A quick test before install:

Backside detail:

The 3300 CFM should be more than enough, even in traffic today in 90°F heat, no issues with the A/C or engine temp. I'd have loved to move more like 4500 CFM but a pair of 12's was the largest I could fit so that's what I went with.

The one component I'm really unhappy with is the a/c high pressure switch. It's rated at something like 350 PSI, a bit high for my liking, might try a klixon type snap on temp switch on the condenser outlet. A 145° close, 135° open would help keep the high pressure below 250 psi. A 150/135 is easy to find, but would let the pressures rise to over 260 psi before closing.

 

[ick]

That's a nice shroud! Do you have dimensions of how far the fan motors rest beyond the radiator?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

 

[win]

I used 1 1/2" x 1/8 aluminum angle for the basis of the shroud and the fans are 2 1/2" thick for a total af 4".

 

[ick]

That is truly an amazing setup and cooling is a priority for me here in Arizona. I had been running a volvo fan for years but I thinking to try this way once I get the motor straight on the mounts and transmission fit verified. I'll have to measure to be sure but I should have plenty of room.

 

[willy]

And here i am with dual fans out of a svt contour and zip ties holding them on nice setup sure is tight tho

 

[bobbywalter]

never had good luck with those little fans for lifespan. usually prefer to run the oem style fans. when twins in a tight package the hyundai styles worked pretty good.

eventually i relented to suggesting simply relocating the cooling package forward and putting intech or taurus styles on. i cool my diesel v8 with intech fans. literally a drop in in my application. drops in and lashed to the top of the core with a copper tie the benefit with doing this allows maintenance without radiator removal. back in my 5.0 days i regularly destroyed the water pumps so replacement was a regular thing.


if your fans only make it a season or two i would consider the oem style.

your execution is bad ass all around though. quite impressive.