electric fan for better performance

[eaurouge_spa]

Re: electric fan for better performance

Hey dude,

Happy new year and thanks once again for the ride in the Dec meet up.

I'm also considering the electric fan mod. The steptronic E46 6cyl comes stock with a clutch fan which derives power from the crank to cool the engine. (plus an electric fan for the aircon just behind the kidney grill) When the engine reaches a hot enough temp, for example after a period of start-stop driving, the clutch fan operates and consumes power from the crank, just like the aircon compressor , power steering and alternator. Thus effective power and torque is less.

The manual/SMG E46 M54 6cyl, plus the 318 valvetronics, and the future 6cyl E90s have a single electric fan instead of the clutch fan and the electric aircon fan. (Look behind the grill and in the front of the bonnet). So even when it activates, it doesnt consume power directly from the crank and the loss of power (and noise) is less.

Asked Alan and Eric and apparently it can be retrofitted on our rides. The parts will cost $700, labour im not too sure, but it should be a simple exercise. The electric fan is smaller but then again it has variable speed and should provide the same cooling power.

Maybe Alan, Eric and the others may wanna share their opinions.

Cheers all!

zul

 

[piggyboyz]

Yo bro..

U said it all liao...

Anyway, AFAIK, the fan should not cause any overheating problem and the difference between the manual and auto is the additional tranny cooler, which will create additional heat to the radiator, so if u r the kiasu one, an additional heat exchange might help, but do not bypass the original heat exchanger...

Have fun

 

[Racebred]

it will feel like another UUC pulley installed. logical since it's the same idea here.... liberating some bhp from the pulley.

 

[wilman2772]

it will feel like another UUC pulley installed. logical since it's the same idea here.... liberating some bhp from the pulley.

I'm still waiting for a chance to get hold of a good 'used' electric fan......sigh.......

:verysad:

'The Great White'

 

[Racebred]

2nd hand electric fans are as rare as courteous taxi drivers. must literally tan gu gu. boh pian hor bro.

 

[Shaun]

SPAL fans are second to none

 

[calvin]

Re: electric fan for better performance

ANyone has installed electric fan to replace our stock fan?

Any improvement, cost and where?

If your car is 318iA Valvetronic, its already E-Fan.

 

[SL2]

it will feel like another UUC pulley installed. logical since it's the same idea here.... liberating some bhp from the pulley.

I'm still waiting for a chance to get hold of a good 'used' electric fan......sigh.......

:verysad:

'The Great White'

Wah, your car already heavily modded and yet you still thinking of changing something ah?? You damn tok kong man!! :ehhh:

 

[galant1688]

I may have lobang to get used electric fan in Bras Basah... keep you guys posted.

 

[ystad]

My E36 320 was modded with electric fan. The fan is controlled by the thermostat, it still run even when engine is OFF untill acceptable temperature. (appx 3 mins after engine shut down)

 

[NTY]

SPAL fans are second to none

Shaun, what's SPAL fans?

 

[Shaun]

Italian company that makes quality OEM and aftermarket electric fans.

===

on a seperate note, properly ducting and cowling heat exhangers alone, makes a big difference in efficiency.

The higher the average airspeed across a heat exchanger, the less sense there is to use fans since they start to obstruct airflow at some point. High load, low speed type driving like towing or hillclimbs, or road course driving (esp low speed technical tracks like PG) make fans a lot more attractive - especially to the large mass, low downforce, low average speed cars that we drive. Opposite goes for Formula, LMP, DSP, etc., and high speed banked circle tracks or straights like Bonneville or Silver State classic where downforce is purposely kept to a minimum since it brings with it drag.