Flexfan: Plastic vs. Metal?
07-14-2003, 08:03 PM
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Flexfan: Plastic vs. Metal?
When I get back to colorado in 2 weeks, I am going to have some green burning a hole in my pocket, so I want to get a flex fan (engine mounted minus the fan clutch). My question is, should I go for the metal flexfans that run about $40, or use the lighter plastic fan that are about $18? I know the addage you get what you pay for, but I thought with the plastic fans being lighter, it would help out my 4cylinder alot more than the metal one would. But I also need it to be flexing at lower RPMS, 1500-4000, since that's my RPM band, and it seems like the metal would flex easier. I also was wondering what blade setup is best, like number of blades, whether the big blades or the long slender ones? So if you guys could please give me some input. Thanks!
07-14-2003, 08:09 PM
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What in the world are you trying to do to that poor little engine?
The idea of the fan clutch is to disengage the fan when it is not needed. From the sound of it you are going to run that fan all the time. Why?
The stock fan when fully engaged can eat like 40-50 HP at full engine RPM so disengaging it with the clutch is a big load reducer. Hell even big semi trucks use fan clutches.
Now, fill me in on what I don't know here. I must be missing something.
Gadget
The idea of the fan clutch is to disengage the fan when it is not needed. From the sound of it you are going to run that fan all the time. Why?
The stock fan when fully engaged can eat like 40-50 HP at full engine RPM so disengaging it with the clutch is a big load reducer. Hell even big semi trucks use fan clutches.
Now, fill me in on what I don't know here. I must be missing something.
Gadget
07-14-2003, 08:25 PM
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What I have been told is that the flex fans are lighter than the stock fan with clutch. As the fan gets to higher RPMs it flattens out reducing drag, basically disengaging it like the clutch does. This makes the rotating mass less and makes the engine spin more easily.
07-14-2003, 08:34 PM
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Yea, OK I remember those things. We used to run them on drag cars back in the day until they exploded or flexxed into the radiator and made a mess of things.
You might want to go to an electric fan. It takes all the weight or mass off of the engine's rotation, and will not load the engine like a mechanical fan will.
I have a FAL fan on one of my 4Runners. You can check it out if you want, but substitute everywhere it says Maxx Autoworks to "don't give your credit card number to those people" and you will be fine.
Gadget
www.GadgetOnline.com
You might want to go to an electric fan. It takes all the weight or mass off of the engine's rotation, and will not load the engine like a mechanical fan will.
I have a FAL fan on one of my 4Runners. You can check it out if you want, but substitute everywhere it says Maxx Autoworks to "don't give your credit card number to those people" and you will be fine.
Gadget
www.GadgetOnline.com
07-14-2003, 09:01 PM
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http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthrea...ghlight=taurus
Here is the thread from PBB for the (cough) Ford Taurus 3.8 OEM cooling fans. They claim that they are more powerful than most electric fans out there. I picked one up at a local wrecking yard today for $32 (which included them removing it from a 95 Merc Sable and testing it for me) Not a bad deal! I just hope that it will cool my damn "Toaster" since the 16 inch Hayden fan isn't up to the task~I think that it is due to no fan shroud so only 2/3 of the radiator is cooled. I measured the radiator in the truck with the 16" fan in it. I got like 21"x19" and the Taurus fan measures out at 22"x17" so it looks like an almost perfect fit! I will know for sure on Thursday or Friday though.
Here is the thread from PBB for the (cough) Ford Taurus 3.8 OEM cooling fans. They claim that they are more powerful than most electric fans out there. I picked one up at a local wrecking yard today for $32 (which included them removing it from a 95 Merc Sable and testing it for me) Not a bad deal! I just hope that it will cool my damn "Toaster" since the 16 inch Hayden fan isn't up to the task~I think that it is due to no fan shroud so only 2/3 of the radiator is cooled. I measured the radiator in the truck with the 16" fan in it. I got like 21"x19" and the Taurus fan measures out at 22"x17" so it looks like an almost perfect fit! I will know for sure on Thursday or Friday though.
Last edited by seafarinman; 07-15-2003 at 03:58 PM.
07-15-2003, 03:06 AM
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Thats a great idea, my dumb @#$ woulda never thought of that. I've been wanting to move to a electric fan for a while now to help get every bit of power I can out of the truck. Now I just got to read a little more and figure out how to wire it up.
Question after reading this:
Can a 22re alternator handle one of these?
Question after reading this:
Can a 22re alternator handle one of these?
Last edited by Krash; 07-15-2003 at 03:26 AM.
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07-15-2003, 07:17 AM
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Originally posted by MTL_4runner
Anyone tried this on a 3rd gen 4Runner?
I would to see some pics if they have!
Maybe Gadget would be up for showing us how it is done?
Anyone tried this on a 3rd gen 4Runner?
I would to see some pics if they have!
Maybe Gadget would be up for showing us how it is done?
http://www.gadgetonline.com/Fan.htm
Just ignor anything nice that is said about MAW.
Gadget
www.GadgetOnline.com
07-15-2003, 08:25 AM
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LOL.....guess I was just being a cheapass!
Wanted to see if anyone had tried the Taurus fan.
I would like to get an electric fan but I have yet to see them less than $100 for the 210 fan.....where do you get em that cheap?
Hey Gadget,
Do you still recommend going that route?......because I noticed you said you only have it on one of your 4runners.
Wanted to see if anyone had tried the Taurus fan.
I would like to get an electric fan but I have yet to see them less than $100 for the 210 fan.....where do you get em that cheap?
Hey Gadget,
Do you still recommend going that route?......because I noticed you said you only have it on one of your 4runners.
07-15-2003, 02:12 PM
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I am referring to a single electric fan. I just looked at www.sumitracing.com, and the prices range from $99 to $199 depending on the type and diameter of the elec fan that you desire.
The FLX30 is $150 and has an adjustable thermostat...
Anyway, I ran a single elec fan on my Mazda 2.2L and never had a problem.
The FLX30 is $150 and has an adjustable thermostat...
Anyway, I ran a single elec fan on my Mazda 2.2L and never had a problem.
07-15-2003, 03:05 PM
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So no one else has opinions on the engine mounted fan? I know gadget said they exploded or flexed into the radiator on dragsters, but that was "back in the day," materials I am sure have improved, and its going on a 4cylinder. The reason I am going for these type of fans is the fact that the electric flex-a-lite ones cost as much as my monthly salary, and those summit ones aren't too cheap for me either.
Do you guys think a single fan would actually have enough pulling power to get that air through the radiator?? Also, what kind of wiring is involved in an electric fan?
Do you guys think a single fan would actually have enough pulling power to get that air through the radiator?? Also, what kind of wiring is involved in an electric fan?
07-15-2003, 03:18 PM
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I assume you need a relay for the switching as well, right?
I also heard it was recommended to use a diode between the pos and neg lines on the fan to reduce the load on the relay at fan spinup.
I also heard it was recommended to use a diode between the pos and neg lines on the fan to reduce the load on the relay at fan spinup.
07-15-2003, 03:55 PM
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I dunno but I would really like to try that Taurus fan. I'll probably do it right and get a BM. BTW I'm not afraid to admit I'm a cheap ass 
. If it leaves me more money to do more mods I'm happy. I just don't think the alternator (I still haven't had time to read as much of it as I have liked) in the 22re will push one of the taurus fans.
. If it leaves me more money to do more mods I'm happy. I just don't think the alternator (I still haven't had time to read as much of it as I have liked) in the 22re will push one of the taurus fans.
Last edited by Krash; 07-15-2003 at 03:57 PM.
07-15-2003, 04:01 PM
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I am running a stock alternator right now as well. Since there are 2 speeds, I will try the slower speed for now, and then later, after I upgrade my alternator and get the 80 amp relay, I will hook up the high speed wire then. No big deal. It does fit the radiator very well (in my 3rd gen 3.0 V6 pickup that is)
