Has anyone out there replaced their stock 22r cooling fan with an electric fan? I heard you can gain some power by doing the swap. Is the power gain worth the hassle? I heard a 14" fan was sufficient. Any ideas on where to get one?

 

I'm not sure about the performance advantage you would gain, though if any it would likely be very small. I can see perhaps a slight reduction in pumping losses by removing the weight of the standard fan from the crank...

I would advise against this IMHO due to the fact that in my experience, clutch fans are far more reliable than their electric counterparts. (not saying that they're perfect either)

You wouldn't want to lose the fan entirely. I'd stick with the stock unit. Just my opinion.

 

imho, electric fans bite the big one. stick with the clutch fan. if anything, put an electric fan in front of the radiator but behind the grill. thats probably the best way to cool down something even better. when its idling, flip on the fan, so you have 2 fans going. one in front pulling air in from outside, and the one on the other side, cooling it down. see what i mean? then flip off the electric one when you leave.

 

anyone bagging on electric fans have any first hand experience with them?

IMO, electric is the way to go. hit a water crossing and flip a switch to turn the fan off so it doesn't destroy itself, then flip it back on. less possability of mechanical failure, easier on the motor and water pump.

here is the setup in my jeep. it has a dial on top so i can adjust the turn on temp from 160-220 degrees. and of course i can wire up an override switch for water crossings.



Al

 

Guess I'll stick with stock for now. I heard that the when the clutch gets old/worn it puts alot of drag on the motor.

 

it doesn't put any more drag on the motor then if its hot out and the fan is fully engaged. i notice a difference.

i say go with the electric if you have to change it out anyway.

Al

 

I've had a problem with an electric. Something internal on the electric motor fried and started eating ignition parts in the elec circuit. I changed everything in the circuit niehoff parts and couldnt get it figured out. Took it to a shop finally and after a few hours of troubleshooting, they found that the fan was pulling way too much power for some reason. Thats when they pulled it and found out it was fried. the fan still worked, just not right.

 

that's why you are supposed to use fuses...

Al

 

I agree with Al.

I noticed a difference in power and fuel economy with my flex a lite fan. I would not go back to the old clutch fan. I keep it just in case though. If you have it wired up right, it'll never give you problems. I wired up a light to tell me when my fan comes on and an override switch. I even upgraded to a digital thermostat control. Plus it sucks 2800 CFM.