I'll agree that the performance of most e-fans pales in comparison to the mechanical setup, so for a highly modded engine or a car in a hot climate, the mechanical is the best choice.
But I went with e-fans. Why would I be so daft as to install something that would undoubtedly decrease the cooling system's effectiveness?
Many reasons, actually. First, my fan shroud looks like swiss cheese. Not a great reason to ditch the whole stock setup I know, but it's what initially got the ball rolling.
These are the reasons I thought my car would be a good candidate for e-fans:
1. I'm an eternal tinkerer. I have the FAL dual fan setup with the SPAL fan controller that Aaron pictured above. Adjustable cut-on points for half-speed and full speed operation. More buttons and settings! Plus it was a great reason to get that nice GReddy water temp gauge.
I know, still a pretty weak argument for e-fans. Allow me to continue:
2. My cooling system is practically brand new. New water pump less than 30k ago, new stock size radiator less than 50k ago, and all new Toyota hoses. Oh, and the engine received a new OEM HG, ARP bolts to 90ft/lbs less than 12k ago.
3. Unfortunately, stop and go traffic is a big part of the car's life. I don't autocross or drag race or take the engine to redline. I can count on one hand the number of times the car's seen redline while in my possession; the car is driven well within its limits 97% of the time. Even when I do get to goose it, it's usually followed by lengthy periods of stop and go. It's nice to know that the fans can run 100% while the car's idling along, stuck in awful 40* heat.
4. Expanding upon my initial fan shroud reason, I wanted to clean up the engine bay. The low profile FAL fans cleared out a ton of space in front of the engine. I also plan on upgrading to a larger radiator with greater cooling capacity, and I figured the lower profile e-fans will help give a little more clearance for my fat arms.
My results have been promising so far. I'm in Florida, and my stock temp gauge has never moved past the normal operating temp position since I changed out fans. My GReddy gauge, its sensor mounted in the thermostat housing, has seen temps as high as 110*C--A/C on on the highway on a 35*C (95*F) day--but is usually in the ballpark of 88-90*C. Next time I play under the hood, I may put the stock fan/clutch back on to do a comparison. And I'll probably do it again once I get a fatter radiator.
In all I've been satisfied with my e-fan setup, but I do not think that it's the setup for everyone. If the fan shroud isn't well-sealed against the radiator (or lacks a shroud altoghether) or the fans don't move enough air, performance will be dodgy. Also, the driver and passengers risk being stranded if the e-fans blow a fuse or experience a fan motor failure. However, in perspective, I have similar concerns of the mechanical fan clutch failing after 15 years and 150k miles of operation.
Hope this helps, and inform me please if any of my reasoning is flawed.
But I went with e-fans. Why would I be so daft as to install something that would undoubtedly decrease the cooling system's effectiveness?
Many reasons, actually. First, my fan shroud looks like swiss cheese. Not a great reason to ditch the whole stock setup I know, but it's what initially got the ball rolling.
These are the reasons I thought my car would be a good candidate for e-fans:
1. I'm an eternal tinkerer. I have the FAL dual fan setup with the SPAL fan controller that Aaron pictured above. Adjustable cut-on points for half-speed and full speed operation. More buttons and settings! Plus it was a great reason to get that nice GReddy water temp gauge.
I know, still a pretty weak argument for e-fans. Allow me to continue:
2. My cooling system is practically brand new. New water pump less than 30k ago, new stock size radiator less than 50k ago, and all new Toyota hoses. Oh, and the engine received a new OEM HG, ARP bolts to 90ft/lbs less than 12k ago.
3. Unfortunately, stop and go traffic is a big part of the car's life. I don't autocross or drag race or take the engine to redline. I can count on one hand the number of times the car's seen redline while in my possession; the car is driven well within its limits 97% of the time. Even when I do get to goose it, it's usually followed by lengthy periods of stop and go. It's nice to know that the fans can run 100% while the car's idling along, stuck in awful 40* heat.
4. Expanding upon my initial fan shroud reason, I wanted to clean up the engine bay. The low profile FAL fans cleared out a ton of space in front of the engine. I also plan on upgrading to a larger radiator with greater cooling capacity, and I figured the lower profile e-fans will help give a little more clearance for my fat arms.
My results have been promising so far. I'm in Florida, and my stock temp gauge has never moved past the normal operating temp position since I changed out fans. My GReddy gauge, its sensor mounted in the thermostat housing, has seen temps as high as 110*C--A/C on on the highway on a 35*C (95*F) day--but is usually in the ballpark of 88-90*C. Next time I play under the hood, I may put the stock fan/clutch back on to do a comparison. And I'll probably do it again once I get a fatter radiator.
In all I've been satisfied with my e-fan setup, but I do not think that it's the setup for everyone. If the fan shroud isn't well-sealed against the radiator (or lacks a shroud altoghether) or the fans don't move enough air, performance will be dodgy. Also, the driver and passengers risk being stranded if the e-fans blow a fuse or experience a fan motor failure. However, in perspective, I have similar concerns of the mechanical fan clutch failing after 15 years and 150k miles of operation.
Hope this helps, and inform me please if any of my reasoning is flawed.
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