Electric Fan Choices
 

Need to puchase an electric fan and would like everyone's opinion on what brands/models are good or bad. Is for a 1970 Nova with stock radiator. Also does running a relay make a big difference? I control it manually through a switch in a Painless wiring panel.

Thanks
Kurt

Re: Electric Fan Choices
 

I just bought one of these. 3000 CFM
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hfm-zfb16s
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hfm-zfpl2

Re: Electric Fan Choices
 

Kurt, for sure use a relay.

Re: Electric Fan Choices
 

Here is what I use, the shroud is the most important component. If you place a fan of the typical style (black plastic screen housing with wire ties thru the radiator type) the fan pulls/cools only the footprint of the fan circle. That is about half of the radiator, you can do the math on it A) find sq. in. of the rad L X H. B) Now find the sq.in. of the round fan: Dia sq X .7854 Example for 16" fan: 16 X 16 X .7854 = 201.06. That normally will show that only about half of the radiator has fan advantage. With a custom built shroud, you will draw air thru 100% of the core and cool in half the time. Normally with an electric water pump, a car running at 200+ can turn the engine off...run the fan and pump...and cool to 160 in 2-3 minutes....now understand that's using the Flex-a-lite 15 inch black majic fan rated @3300 CFMs and a custom shroud.

Wade Mahaffey

http://i45.tinypic.com/2uol37m.jpg

Re: Electric Fan Choices
 

Chevy HHR. costs under 100 bucks and comes w a shroud. Easy install on a 68 Chevelle. should be easy on Nova then if its a cross flow. We used painless kit.

Re: Electric Fan Choices
 

Northern Radiator makes a lot of electric fan and shroud kits, with relays and wiring, as well as various accessories.

Re: Electric Fan Choices
 

We use a fan and shroud assembly from a Cadillac XLR in our 71 Chevelle Wagon BB. It took very little fabrication to get it to fit nicely, and once brackets were fabricated, it fit like it belonged there. Also, the fan puts out big CFM numbers for excellent cooling performance. We have no cooling issues with this set up.

Remember no matter who's fan assembly you use, intigrate a relay into the electrical harness.

Re: Electric Fan Choices
 

I just bought a used Volvo can with shroud which wi easily integrate with my factory AMX radiator. I've got around $35 into it. As others have written, I like the OEM stuff over aftermarket. There designed for city traffic on hot days and will last over 100,000 miles.
Yes to relay. My Volvo fan will pull 78 amps when it is turned on and around 40 amps once underway. So make sure you understand amp draws along with your electrical system.