Electric Fan Info Thread.
#52
Proform and Perma-Cool fans are on order. Should have '0' airflow ratings up by the end of the weekend. Still tracking down a radiator/shroud/ac-at coil assemble for my 'chamber' build to do true testing for our trucks. Hoping a local yard has something Sat. morning.
Probably won't post much for pics of the process, but will pass on the findings. You can be sure all the fans were tested properly and in the exact same manner. I originally planned on showing pics of the 'chamber' and everything step by step, but I'm not sure how far I'm going to go with this.
I was able to confirm tonight that the aftermarket auto industry has absolutely no standardized practices for cfm ratings on fans. It's an 'honor' system that's obviously lacking honor. The set up I'm building is fairly specialized for this type of application, and if the airflow readings are significantly out of whack what's advertised, I might seriously pursue changing the industry. This is fraudulent and I'd like to fix it.
Out of the six fan suppliers I contacted with fairly general questions about their testing, half responded. One was brutally honest, (my first email exchange quote), so I decided not to test their product. Proform did not respond, so I chose their fan. Perma-cool stated something I know not to be factual, so while I chose their fan thinking it gave me the best shot at 2k at a lower amp rating, they say 3k no matter the restriction. (b.s.)
Flex-a-Lite responded, but seemed to be intentionally vague. Since they are the only manufacturer that seems to seriously push 3500 cfm for small blocks, I'm really curious to know how those fans perform. If anyone following this thread has a Flex-A-Lite fan, let me know your model number here or in P.M.. If I'm going to buy and test one, might as well do the one a majority of Ram owners are running. You have a right to know.
Probably won't post much for pics of the process, but will pass on the findings. You can be sure all the fans were tested properly and in the exact same manner. I originally planned on showing pics of the 'chamber' and everything step by step, but I'm not sure how far I'm going to go with this.
I was able to confirm tonight that the aftermarket auto industry has absolutely no standardized practices for cfm ratings on fans. It's an 'honor' system that's obviously lacking honor. The set up I'm building is fairly specialized for this type of application, and if the airflow readings are significantly out of whack what's advertised, I might seriously pursue changing the industry. This is fraudulent and I'd like to fix it.
Out of the six fan suppliers I contacted with fairly general questions about their testing, half responded. One was brutally honest, (my first email exchange quote), so I decided not to test their product. Proform did not respond, so I chose their fan. Perma-cool stated something I know not to be factual, so while I chose their fan thinking it gave me the best shot at 2k at a lower amp rating, they say 3k no matter the restriction. (b.s.)
Flex-a-Lite responded, but seemed to be intentionally vague. Since they are the only manufacturer that seems to seriously push 3500 cfm for small blocks, I'm really curious to know how those fans perform. If anyone following this thread has a Flex-A-Lite fan, let me know your model number here or in P.M.. If I'm going to buy and test one, might as well do the one a majority of Ram owners are running. You have a right to know.
#54
#56
If you absolutely have to put something on now, I would think the Lincoln fan (assuming it's a v8) would work, but if you wanted to play it safe I'd put one of the cavalier fans in on a second switch as a 'just in case'. If you make it through a couple high temp days without an issue, yank it out.
Don't put all three fans in. You'll be pulling way to many amps and probably have more then you need. I'll be looking for a lincoln or ford v8 fan this weekend to start playing with. If they have a Ram there with a radiator I'll have full airflow readings up within 2 weeks.
#57
#58
Kinda funny if it turns out to be true, means that a 25 dollar junk yard fan could out produce a $150 'aftermarket' fan without any issues.
#59
Unless your dad has a radiator or other coil type surface he can test the fan across, he won't get an accurate reading. Part of the problem with this industry is it's impossible for people to know what airflows they have without a lot of high dollar equipment. If he measures it without a restriction, it's going to be moving a lot more air then it will installed.
If you absolutely have to put something on now, I would think the Lincoln fan (assuming it's a v8) would work, but if you wanted to play it safe I'd put one of the cavalier fans in on a second switch as a 'just in case'. If you make it through a couple high temp days without an issue, yank it out.
Don't put all three fans in. You'll be pulling way to many amps and probably have more then you need. I'll be looking for a lincoln or ford v8 fan this weekend to start playing with. If they have a Ram there with a radiator I'll have full airflow readings up within 2 weeks.
If you absolutely have to put something on now, I would think the Lincoln fan (assuming it's a v8) would work, but if you wanted to play it safe I'd put one of the cavalier fans in on a second switch as a 'just in case'. If you make it through a couple high temp days without an issue, yank it out.
Don't put all three fans in. You'll be pulling way to many amps and probably have more then you need. I'll be looking for a lincoln or ford v8 fan this weekend to start playing with. If they have a Ram there with a radiator I'll have full airflow readings up within 2 weeks.
Last edited by BigRedRam95; 06-08-2009 at 10:37 PM.
#60
I have a feeling factory electric fans move more airflow then the aftermarket ones hands down. It's my understanding of the industry now (had no clue of this when I started this thread last week) that the manufacturers have fairly strict testing standards to meet for factory replacement....however those manu's don't even publish cfm numbers. True 'aftermarket' is unregulated and can put whatever they want on the box. Kinda funny if it turns out to be true, means that a 25 dollar junk yard fan could out produce a $150 'aftermarket' fan without any issues.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/01-02...605175002r2379