Electric Fan Conversion

[deejayphilo]

Did anyone ever convert from Clutch fan to electric fan?

[Quailane]

Yup. I used the wiring for the crappy fan in front of the radiator that I ripped out as well, except changed it so that it is full blast when the low thermo switch opens up.

[deejayphilo]

Did you get a cooler temperature in your temp gauge?

[Quailane]

Did you get a cooler temperature in your temp gauge?

No, that is not what it is there for. Your engine works at an optimal temperature and you don't want to lower that. Cooling system changes are simply to keep it from getting too hot. In my case the electric fan was broken and I replaced it and the clutch fan with an electric behind the radiator. The stock electric fan is pretty crappy and blocks a lot of air flow to the radiator anyway. Also, even if you have a wind tunnel blowing on your radiator, it wouldn't lower engine temps because of the thermostat to control flow to the radiator.

[thejlevie]

I've had a few different electric fans on my Spec E30. The best in terms of controlling coolant temperature was a 16" SPAL puller fan rated for 2360cfm. But not knowing any better, I mounted it via "through the radiator" mounts. Within a year I found that those can wear a hole in a radiator fin. So don't even consider that as a mounting method. A prior 14" puller rated for 1720cfm was barely adequate.

Currently the car has an 1800cfm pusher mounted where the A/C condenser would live and it is just adequate. When I figure out a good mount I'll go back to the 16" puller fan or switch to a 2360cfm 16" pusher fan.

I control the fan with an 82C thermo switch and relay. Ideally you want the fan to activate a few degrees above the rating of the engine thermostat. I have an 80C thermostat in the engine, so an 82C thermo switch works well.

Converting to an electric fan makes sense on a race car as we rarely use the fan. The only time it gets used is when sitting on the grid, returning to the paddock, or in the case of a red flag. The OE fan system is simple, reliable, and works very well if the fan and clutch are in good operating condition. If you have a car that is tending to run hot, something is wrong.

It the car only runs hot at idle, a gunked up cooling system, a partially clogged radiator, bad thermostat, or bad fan clutch are suspects. If it only runs hot at speed, the fan can eliminated as a suspect as the air flow from the car's movement at speeds of 35mph or more is far greater than what the fan can manage. At idle or at speed air in the cooling system (from improper bleeding or a head gasket leak) will cause the engine to run hot.

[Isamemon]

used a volvo puller fan from a 960
minor cutting to the volov shorud makes it work perfect
looks real clean almost stock

[Isamemon]

pics

[Stück]

That actually looks just like a e36 318ti puller, not bad.

[Isamemon]

yes
and it is a two speed and just switch the plug from the bmw condensor fan to the volvo harness and all your stock relays and thermos will work
Ive read some just wire it so when it comes on it is high speed only
it is a 16" fan
cost me $40 at the wrecking yard

[nick325xit 5spd]

yes
and it is a two speed and just switch the plug from the bmw condensor fan to the volvo harness and all your stock relays and thermos will work
Ive read some just wire it so when it comes on it is high speed only
it is a 16" fan
cost me $40 at the wrecking yard
How thick is it?

[bmwlover0725]

whatever you do, don't try dual 10" electrics.

[vpilarry]

Isamemon, did you remove the condensor (front pusher) fan? Do you use the AC and does it work well without the pusher?

[MechE30]

Did anyone ever convert from Clutch fan to electric fan?

Biggest Question: What's the point?

[moberg12]

Biggest Question: What's the point?

Getting the mechanical fan and shroud out of the way gives you lots more room to work on the front of the motor.

[Quailane]

Getting the mechanical fan and shroud out of the way gives you lots more room to work on the front of the motor.

There is supposed to be a shroud there? Lol

[MechE30]

Getting the mechanical fan and shroud out of the way gives you lots more room to work on the front of the motor.

Yes, if you dont have another fan taking up this space correct?

So you're only option is then a pusher fan.

Are people this concerned about parasitic losses on the crank to lose a 5 pound fan?

[thejlevie]

Replacing a properly operating fan and fan clutch with an electric gains maybe 0.1HP at the redline? If you do the electric fan properly it will cost well more than a brand new fan and clutch.

What's the point on a street car?

[moberg12]

Replacing a properly operating fan and fan clutch with an electric gains maybe 0.1HP at the redline? If you do the electric fan properly it will cost well more than a brand new fan and clutch.

What's the point on a street car?

I agree with you:)

[Isamemon]

whatever it means to do it properly costs more.......define properly other then stock

my brother in law still buys nearly all his MB parts at a dealer so that they are "correct"
I have less then 50 bucks in my set up and more working room on the front of the engine, plus the other benefits listed below. a "proper" fan, fan clutch and shroud, from pelican parts ( aftermarket) was over a hun...who knows what BMW dealer parts would run
I had a cracked fan, a cracked shroud a broken radiator bleed screw,missing thermostat and blown head gasket all from p.o, (I bought a non running basket case) and it needed a fan clutch ( and a head gasket, hoses etc )almost everything is aftermarket

I no longer have the ac installed on my car, I have a vert and live in the northwest, maybe need ac ahhhhhh never ( wiht a vert)

there are more benefits then picking up the quopted . 1 hp at redline
it is less then 3 inches wide
it weighs less the the stock pusher fans, shroud mecanical fan and clutch. deleating all the condesnors, compressor, hoses also saved weight adn added fuel milage , maybe small, I am sure
with my puller fan when you are sitting in a line of traffic and watch the gauge go up, the fan kicks on and cools it down, better then a stock set up ever will
I can have the car sitting and running while I am playing with it, it will not overheat
I had it sitting and idling for a half hour, watching to test it, never hit the third mark on the gauge, cross checked it with a laser thermo gun
a stock system will not do that I have seen e30's run hot wiating for a bank teller in a drive up in summer
getting rid of the condensor incrases air flow too, but you can still have your condensor and pusher fans for ac, just have to wire the new puller fan sepearte and add its onw fuse circuit and thermostat


the car is not stock... so some might comsider non proper
it has the bosch 4 hole injectors ( ford mustang) that cost me less then "stock" single hole, they are still yellow, and they are still bosch ( better idle and atomazation of fuel, better mpg)
my computer has a chip
I deleated the preheater hoses and plate for the throttle body ( has not been an issue even when freesing outside)
I have a non stock radio
keyless entry
a magnaoflow muffler deleated front muffler
short shifter
ellipsoids ( sealed beams when it left the factory)
punched out the holes in the brake light bodies and added the wire to add the extra brake lights the european cars have ( your car is set up for it, just have to punch out the hole and add a socket etc)
smoked my side marker lights on my plastic bumpers looks slick on my black car
took off the bottle caps and added basket weaves
Ill soon be adding sport coils, billy sports, cross drilled rotors, stainless steel hoses, orgainic pads, E36 steering rack, upgrade bushings, new control arms, front cross brace and a skid plate

my car is not "proper" to some, but it sure is getting "proper "to me

[kishg]

no point on a streetcar. on the track, less chance of the fan cutting through a coolant hose but if your motor mounts are in good shape even that's unlikely.

[Isamemon]

sorry for "ranting" but I love my non proper car

but I forgot to add
I also deleated the p/s as it had a bad pump and I put on the block off plate, more weight gone one less belt another .1 hp gain I guess ,and I have no trouble even parallel parking, my wife does not even complain on the rare occassion we switch cars

switching trunk lids from a 318is coupe that had an "is" spoiler so Ill delete the third brake ( waiting for it to get painted, the correct black)

and another benefit of an electric fan and the deletes,with only having one belt on the engine now, and no shroud or fan it will be so easy to replace the belt, thermostat or hoses ( just got my summer thermostat form pelican)

have a robbins cloth convertable top, not a bmw top

love my non proper vert and its finally summer

[kishg]

ok..:rolleyes

[MechE30]

I am sure
with my puller fan when you are sitting in a line of traffic and watch the gauge go up, the fan kicks on and cools it down, better then a stock set up ever will
I can have the car sitting and running while I am playing with it, it will not overheat
I had it sitting and idling for a half hour, watching to test it, never hit the third mark on the gauge, cross checked it with a laser thermo gun
a stock system will not do that I have seen e30's run hot wiating for a bank teller in a drive up in summer


Holy crap lack of punctuation.

Regardless, your statement about e30's running hot is your own opinion. My car (stock with stock cooling) has never run high, no matter the conditions. Never even above halfway. Especially not sitting in line for a band teller...

And yes, your car is basically stock. with a few bells and whistles.

[eScott]

I'm pretty sure removing the clutch fan will extend the life of the water pump also.(don't know if that's been said) I don't know if e30 fan's are prone to flying apart and ripping through the radiator like the ones on the z3 either.:(

Here's a good site for fans.
http://www.the-fan-man.com/

[Isamemon]

nex sumone will koreck me fer spellin

I come here to get help and advice and offer when I can, I dont take the time to be gramatically correct.

sorry if that bugs people

live and let live

[kishg]

nex sumone will koreck me fer spellin

I come here to get help and advice and offer when I can, I dont take the time to be gramatically correct.

sorry if that bugs people

live and let live

that's grammatically correct :stickoutt

[Wizard]

Back on subject, this is my newly installed 318is electric fan...
http://webgraphx.com/m42/fan1.jpg


http://webgraphx.com/m42/fan2.jpg

Volvo fan in original shroud (BMW) with 2 speed Volvo relays. Probably have about $40 invested including new 318ti (80°/88°) temp sending unit.

[Stück]

The fan portion looks alright, but the wiring is a mess that needs cleaning up...

[Wizard]

The fan portion looks alright, but the wiring is a mess that needs cleaning up...

I agree...This was a quick wire job...All will be "wrapped" in the near future....And I don't mean electric tape....lol

[Monark]

I'm pretty sure removing the clutch fan will extend the life of the water pump also.(don't know if that's been said) I don't know if e30 fan's are prone to flying apart and ripping through the radiator like the ones on the z3 either.


6 months after I bought my e30 the water pump went and the fan went into the radiator, so IDK if e30s are prone to it. But it did happen to me.

[Isamemon]

I agree...This was a quick wire job...All will be "wrapped" in the near future....And I don't mean electric tape....lol
I do not doubt that you have 40 bucks in it, but where did you get a new temp sending unit, and still all the other stuff and only have 40 bucks in it
as I would like to get a lower temp unit, and you must have found a cheap source

[Stück]

6 months after I bought my e30 the water pump went and the fan went into the radiator, so IDK if e30s are prone to it. But it did happen to me.I'd call that neglected maintenance, not a "problem"

[Wizard]

I do not doubt that you have 40 bucks in it, but where did you get a new temp sending unit, and still all the other stuff and only have 40 bucks in it
as I would like to get a lower temp unit, and you must have found a cheap source
Fan was $12 at a U-Pull-it JY (Harry's in Allentown) and got the Temp sender for around $28 from Zygmunt (bimmerparts.com) (in Doylestown). No shipping involved as I am local.


EDIT....Fan was actually $16.40...My bad....So around $45.00 for the setup...

[Isamemon]

thanks
you big city guys get good prices at your wrecking yards
in my small town, $40 for a volvo fan is a deal ( the last time I got one), usually they go for about 65
no wonder you could pull the whole conversion for 45

[draccent]

For the record my car sits in traffic for hours in maryland gridlock joyfully idling away and never overheats.


Its stock and has the normal old mechanical fan.

[Wizard]

thanks
you big city guys get good prices at your wrecking yards



HAHAHA...I wouldn't call this BIG CITY...Over an hour north of Philly...We don't even have a Super Wal-Mart....lol
But Harry's is famous for their U-Pick prices...Think I picked up complete front strut housings with springs, struts and like new rotors for less then $30 each side...And my $12.60 Sable Sideskirts....

For reference:
http://www.wegotused.com/index.htm

[boostedE36man]

huked on foniks

[Jrdeamicis]

The volvo setup looks pretty good.

[Isamemon]

For the record my car sits in traffic for hours in maryland gridlock joyfully idling away and never overheats.


Its stock and has the normal old mechanical fan.


thats good

I lived in rockville maryland ( early 70's) and worked at Beck/Arnley Auto Parts in Falls Church Virginia. At that time drove my girlfriends BMW 2002 or my TR-3 or TR-250 and there were times I had to pull over and let them cool off in gridlocks on the beltline,( mid summer) of course none of them were stock ( so I avoided rush hour)

before that I worked at Beck/Arnley in Miami Fla. Had a bug eye sprite
and a hot mustang, the mustang had to have an electric fan ( built motor)
so since then I have been a "fan" of electric fans

[SWISS]

with my puller fan when you are sitting in a line of traffic and watch the gauge go up, the fan kicks on and cools it down, better then a stock set up ever will

a stock system will not do that I have seen e30's run hot wiating for a bank teller in a drive up in summer
Living south of Kansas I can attest to this having been an issue on all 3 E30's, one after a 24V swap, in the summer in a held up drive thru or 5 oclock Dallas traffic. Gauge go up, and so does the stress level.


Holy crap lack of punctuation.

Regardless, your statement about e30's running hot is your own opinion. My car (stock with stock cooling) has never run high, no matter the conditions. Never even above halfway. Especially not sitting in line for a band teller...

And yes, your car is basically stock. with a few bells and whistles.You live north of Kansas this does not apply to you.


I'm pretty sure removing the clutch fan will extend the life of the water pump also.(don't know if that's been said) I don't know if e30 fan's are prone to flying apart and ripping through the radiator like the ones on the z3 either.:(

Here's a good site for fans.
http://www.the-fan-man.com/
Another good reason. All of which are outlined in the E36 fan delete thread.

no point on a streetcar. on the track, less chance of the fan cutting through a coolant hose but if your motor mounts are in good shape even that's unlikely. I dunno about that one, The upper bypass hose is a straight shitty design. Had they followed the same method as the front metal bypass line none of that shit would matter and it would last longer.

It's obvious BMW learned from their mistakes and went straight for reliability even without maintenance. DOHC hydraulic lifter vs. manual solid, chain over belt, direct ignition system with no significant wear items like long ass fraying plug wires and caps and rotors, hose count reduction is another major advancement to next gen, the shitty gasket on the throttle body warm up circuit, etc the list goes on and on.


My approach on my E30 is the same as it has always been. Go back and fix the old crappy low tech with reliable hi tech, or maintain and watch it meticulously.

[YetiX]

I'm sort of on the fence on this one. If my cooling system ever takes a dump, I'm pretty sure I'll replace it with an electric fan for a variety of reasons listed above.

Does anyone have a diagram for wiring up the Volvo or e36 fan?

[SWISS]

I'm sort of on the fence on this one. If my cooling system ever takes a dump, I'm pretty sure I'll replace it with an electric fan for a variety of reasons listed above.

Does anyone have a diagram for wiring up the Volvo or e36 fan?

I have a Z3 M44 electric setup, pretty much plug and play and has the intake tubing. PM me and we'll talk price.

[E30M3 Bori]

:buttrock(Hands up) I have a stupid question; Is the aux fan a pusher and the engine fan a puller? I'm restoring my engine bay from all components and can't remember. oh, its a E30 M3.

Thanks

[Sharbel]

pics
e30 M3 s14b25
Well I've been having this cooling problem since I converted to electric fan
my initial fan was a VAC 10" spal fan with C&R radiator that did not run well at all I think it's only for race applications.. I even went as far as drilling a small hole in the thermostat but then car took forever to reach optimum temp then it cools too fast too low at cruising speeds
now I got a13"more aggressive fan with a 75c 2002 thermostat with that on idle the car reaches optimum temp fairly quickly but a cruising speeds the coolant temp falls in between the blue and middle...
soooooo 5 years later.. I'm going back to stock 80c thermostat I just got a Volvo 960 shroud and I'm debating which spal 16" fan I should get that's thin enough to fit with adequate cfm?
The enging is an evo oem block 2.5 with oil squirters, cp forged Pistons, 292/284 shrick cams with stand alone ecu motec m4 that controls when fan and kicks in at about 170f...

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http://youtu.be/q8DxS4S__gE