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Selecting an electric radiator fan - Printable Version

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Selecting an electric radiator fan - martureo - 07-06-2016

I'm well under way on my 603 powered s123 project. Finally selected a radiator and mounted it. Now I'm onto getting an electric fan. 

Pertinent information:
  • This will be a pusher fan, there is less than 3 inches between the radiator and the front of the engine.

  • There will be an a/c condensor (yet to be chosen) in front of the radiator

  • I'm not going to modify the car body
I'm using the Nissens radiator for a 87 300TD. Cooling area dimensions are 24 x 18 inches --> 432 in^2

It seems that the consensus is that you want 70% of your cooling surface to be covered by a fan or shroud. This is going to be a pusher, so a shroud doesn't really help (as it would block air traveling through by motion of the vehicle). 

So that's 302.4 in^2 that I need covered.

I've done a little math to try to figure out what I could get on the surface of the radiator and what would each setup cover. 

2 x 10in fans
78.5 x 2 = 157 in^2

2 x 12in fans
113 x 2 = 226 in^2

1 x 16 in fans
201 in^2

I don't think I can get anything bigger than a pair of 12in fans or a single 16 in fan in front of the radiator/condenser (things start getting in the way). 

Additionally I've read that a pusher fan is 15% less efficient than the same fan mounted as a puller.


So I'm left asking the question, is that enough cooling or should I be worried/looking for another option.


RE: Selecting an electric radiator fan - tgg416 - 07-06-2016

I just installed 2x12 on this cooler : http://www.championradiators.com/product/MC370
It was a really thight fit. I had to trim them a litle bit and place them one upper right and the other lower left. Still the lower one was outside the core.
I would choose 2x11 in a good quality brand (SPAL). And a Controller that can adjust the fan speed. I have mine mounted as a puller and second fan starts 10 degrees f after the first one, but I think I will change to a controller that starts both at the same time but at lower speed and increase speed as needed.