Black Magic Flex-A-Lite electric fan - gas mileage improvement numbers?

Forerunner · 09-03-2003, 02:46 AM

Does anyone have any definitive numbers on how much gas mileage improvement you get with a 2nd Gen 4Runner 3.0 VZE by doing Black Magic Flex-a-lite electric fan mod? It would be greatly appreciated.

Another thought: people are talking about taurus fan mod, but I am reading that Taurus fan actually draws 40 AMP (Black Magic only draws 14 amp) Those amps come from alternator, which in turn comes from the engine turning the alternator, which in turn comes from the gas the engine is burning to turn the alternator. The more amps you draw, the more gas you burn... if you are trying to get the same output out of the engine, of course. If I still remembered my physics and was not feeling lazy, I could do some math to see what horsepower drop a 40amp draw on the electrical system would constitute, with a resulting loss in gas mileage, at, say, 70 miles per hour..

But I am digressing.. At 14 Amps, Black Magic seems like a very nice fan, and should improve gas mileage over the clutch fan monstrosity. It costs 200+ green ones though, and if all it gets you is 1 extra mpg, I wonder if its worth it. That's why if anyone has the numbers I am sure many of us would love to see them.

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**UKMyers** · 09-03-2003, 03:37 AM

ForeRunner I don't know an exact number for miles to the gallon but I saw in increase of about 30 miles on a tank of gas. The whole electrical draw thing is really NA because the fan will never come on when your going down the highway. I haven't pulled any big hills but the only time mine comes on is if I'm in stop and go traffic or sitting still idling at which point a current draw doesn't really matter. One of my favorite things I like is not hearing the clutch fan when I first start the truck. I hated the sound of that screaming thing.

gwhayduke · 09-03-2003, 04:41 AM

Do a search and you'll see quite a few discussions on the "Black Magic" and the "Taurus" fan mods.

The Taurus appears to move more CFM and is much cheaper. So if you do a lot of traffic jam idling...or trail idling, your rig will stay cooler with the Taurus mod. I would imagine that the 40 amp rating is at the "high" speed since the Taurus is a 2 speed fan. Yes, 40 amps is a pretty good draw, and it will come from your alternator...or battery + alternator if there isn't enough current being generated. But that's what batteries are supposed to do.

Arnold · 09-03-2003, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by UKMyers
One of my favorite things I like is not hearing the clutch fan when I first start the truck. I hated the sound of that screaming thing.

I'm also running a Black Magic fan and actually miss that sound.

Forerunner · 09-03-2003, 07:07 AM

Thanks for all the responses, keep em coming! Anyone got a better price for Black Magic 165 than $209? Thats the cheapest that I can find them, from Summit Racing.. Is there anyone who sells it for less?

progress4m · 09-03-2003, 07:16 AM

I wouldn’t change the stock clutch fan. I’ve heard a lot of people getting overheated after doing this mod. Especially if you are using your 4Runner for off road or towing. As far as gas mileage it will not increase much considering that you stock clutch is working properly. Just my $.02

rimpainter.com · 09-03-2003, 01:21 PM

Whether the stock fan clutch is disengaged or not, there is still a small 1.5lb pulley to turn (permanently attached to the fan). That is parasitic drag. I live in Phoenix, and have never experienced an overheating problem due to elec fans.

Checker Auto was cheaper than Summit for my fans, and I didnt have to pay shipping.

Churnd · 09-03-2003, 07:11 PM

No way will your truck overheat with the Taurus fan. It's just impossible. No way. Actually, there is a way... if it quits working.

MTL_4runner · 09-03-2003, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Churnd
No way will your truck overheat with the Taurus fan. It's just impossible. No way. Actually, there is a way... if it quits working.

.....and supposedly it is a perfect fit on a 2nd gen radiator!

09-03-2003, 04:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
gwhayduke Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 1,576	Do a search and you'll see quite a few discussions on the "Black Magic" and the "Taurus" fan mods. The Taurus appears to move more CFM and is much cheaper. So if you do a lot of traffic jam idling...or trail idling, your rig will stay cooler with the Taurus mod. I would imagine that the 40 amp rating is at the "high" speed since the Taurus is a 2 speed fan. Yes, 40 amps is a pretty good draw, and it will come from your alternator...or battery + alternator if there isn't enough current being generated. But that's what batteries are supposed to do. __________________ '99 4Runner SR5 4WD, 5-SPEED. Abzug's vehicle for urban expeditions, navigating flash floods and debris flows (try 12-15 inches of rain in one week). It always gets her home. '95 4Runner LIMITED 4WD, 5-SPEED, over a quarter million on the original 3vze & headgaskets. TRD heavy duty clutch, TRD heavy duty flywheel, OME 900 springs and shocks. This old gal has gotten me out into the field, and back for 8 years, never failed to start or gotten stuck. Last edited by gwhayduke; 09-03-2003 at 04:47 AM.

09-03-2003, 07:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
Forerunner Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Taxachusetts Posts: 122	Thanks for all the responses, keep em coming! Anyone got a better price for Black Magic 165 than $209? Thats the cheapest that I can find them, from Summit Racing.. Is there anyone who sells it for less? __________________ Active Duty:1990 Toyota 4Runner V6 4WD SR5 Functional Mods from OEM: -Warn winch mount -Warn manual locking hubs -Extreme airbox cut -K&N air filter -Iridium plugs -Reese towing hitch -3rd Brake light -Heavy duty tranny cooler -Toyota AM/FM/CD/Casette from 2003 Tacoma -Saris roof rack -32" tires Non-functional mods: -Scratches Dream mods: -3.4L engine instead or -Diesel engine(really dreaming) Retired:1988 4Runner 22REC 4WD 5 Speed SR5-more fun than the law allows

09-03-2003, 07:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
progress4m Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fort Worth, TX. USA. Posts: 171	clutch fan I wouldn’t change the stock clutch fan. I’ve heard a lot of people getting overheated after doing this mod. Especially if you are using your 4Runner for off road or towing. As far as gas mileage it will not increase much considering that you stock clutch is working properly. Just my $.02

09-03-2003, 01:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
rimpainter.com Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,797	Whether the stock fan clutch is disengaged or not, there is still a small 1.5lb pulley to turn (permanently attached to the fan). That is parasitic drag. I live in Phoenix, and have never experienced an overheating problem due to elec fans. Checker Auto was cheaper than Summit for my fans, and I didnt have to pay shipping. __________________ www.rimpainter.com Get your O Gasket Mod Here! My SC'd 4Runner's Profile My YouTube vids Last edited by rimpainter.com; 09-03-2003 at 07:19 PM.

09-03-2003, 07:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
Churnd Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 4,093	No way will your truck overheat with the Taurus fan. It's just impossible. No way. Actually, there is a way... if it quits working. __________________ -Chris If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. Click here to search! My Website

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