Electric fan conversion

[PlayingWithTBI]

Guys, I was joking! I don't wanna derail this thread - carry on

 

[Caman96]

Guys, I was joking! I don't wanna derail this thread - carry on

Least you coulda done was made it Prestone vs. Peak debate.

 

[454cid]

Guys, I was joking! I don't wanna derail this thread - carry on

You opened Pandora's Box by even mentioning it

 

[Spareparts]

So far my experience has been positive with the electric fans i installed. Duel Flex-A-Lite fan kit 280 Pulls 5,500cfm. Listed to pull 28A. I did do more than the big 3 upgrade to the wiring also, Used 02 welding cable and more grounds, I have not hooked the fans to come on with the AC yet. Have not needed to yet. Stock 140A alternator is keeping up fine.
It is keeping my truck cool so far but around here we have low humidity and will only see 100 degree days a couple times a year.
With front and rear AC, 85 degree day and stop and go traffic once the interior is cooled down i run the AC on low or med. Seems to just work fine. I'll see on a really hot day though how it does. If it fails i did keep all the OEM stuff to swap back.
Posted these before.

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[eXo0us]

I think the attraction to electrics is a possible power advantage, the wow factor in it being a "mod", and "cleaning up" the engine bay.

The power advantage is noticeable in older small cubic vehicles.

I've converted a few European cars to electric fans, and the difference is there. Got also a good boost in fuel economy.
Yet - those where cars in a cold climate - the fan would hardly ever run.

With the mechanical fan, I had to cover the radiator with a piece of cardboard in the front so that I don't freeze for 10-15 minutes before the engine warms up. Yeah and don't ask - the thermostat works fine. Those are just very efficient engines which don't produce much heat. Not like our good OL V8s which mostly produce heat, vibration and little just a little fraction of propulsion

 

[Boots97]

My Burb has the plastic 11 blade fan and the severe duty clutch with a zillion fins. Doesn't run hot unless the radiator is low on coolant mix(then the gauge moves scary fast!). The crew cab is also a Vortec 5.7, but it has the metal 5 blade fan and the severe duty clutch. It doesn't run hot either, but I'm wondering if the plastic fan would be worth going to? Both trucks have the towing package and the two row factory style radiator.

The plastic 11 fin fan is a common upgrade on these trucks bc more fins=cooler temps. I understand where OP is coming from and bc OP is (hopefully) pulling a OEM electric fan out of a 2006 Silverado that would be the best option to go with. Aftermarket electric fans seem sketchy IMO and I have a bad taste in my mouth with aftermarket cooling systems. (I can explain further if you want).


I personally believe that an electric fan is fine, but not necessary.

I plan on upgrading to an 11 fin fan next year. Right now it's just not in the budget.

Because you have a C3500 CCLB, I'd recommend a 11 fin fan. Your pickup is one of the largest and heaviest GMT400 setups out there. Plus being in TX cooler would almost always be better. I want to try and make my truck run as cool as possible. It can still get to 100+ degrees F even in SE MN.

 

[L31MaxExpress]

The plastic 11 fin fan is a common upgrade on these trucks bc more fins=cooler temps. I understand where OP is coming from and bc OP is (hopefully) pulling a OEM electric fan out of a 2006 Silverado that would be the best option to go with. Aftermarket electric fans seem sketchy IMO and I have a bad taste in my mouth with aftermarket cooling systems. (I can explain further if you want).


I personally believe that an electric fan is fine, but not necessary.

I plan on upgrading to an 11 fin fan next year. Right now it's just not in the budget.

Because you have a C3500 CCLB, I'd recommend a 11 fin fan. Your pickup is one of the largest and heaviest GMT400 setups out there. Plus being in TX cooler would almost always be better. I want to try and make my truck run as cool as possible. It can still get to 100+ degrees F even in SE MN.

The 11 blade is good, but cannot touch the Duramax. Nice thing ebout the Duramax fan is it rarely has to engage the clutch at any point. I have to be idling for a while then accelerate from a stop or be climbing a long steep grade pulling a trailer for the fan to start to engage enough to even notice its operation. With the fan absolutely roaring with the van stationary and the engine WOT on the dyno it did eat about 8 hp peak to peak and ~15 ft/lbs right when the clutch started to engage. In my opinon that is a small price to pay for something that keeps the engine cool regardless of the ambient and load conditions.

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[Boots97]

The 11 blade is good, but cannot touch the Duramax. Nice thing ebout the Duramax fan is it rarely has to engage the clutch at any point. I have to be idling for a while then accelerate from a stop or be climbing a long steep grade pulling a trailer for the fan to start to engage enough to even notice its operation. With the fan absolutely roaring with the van stationary and the engine WOT on the dyno it did eat about 8 hp peak to peak and ~15 ft/lbs right when the clutch started to engage. In my opinon that is a small price to pay for something that keeps the engine cool regardless of the ambient and load conditions.

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Is the top fan in the pic the Duramax fan? Does it just bolt on right where the 5 fin fans goes?

Is it metal or plastic?

 

[alpinecrick]

I’m just legitimately trying to understand why the switch to electric. Were you guys having any overheating issues? Or just for performance?

It's the internet!

 

[alpinecrick]

Is the top fan in the pic the Duramax fan? Does it just bolt on right where the 5 fin fans goes?

Is it metal or plastic?

I wanna know the answer too......