PFF - Pennock's Fiero Forum, PDA Edition

Electric fan upgrade (Page 1/4)

Kitskaboodle

FEB 03, 11:04 PM

I just thought I would post my electric fan upgrade project here.
I have been wanting to upgrade my electric fan in my 85 GT for a while. My desire is to lower operating temps by a good 10 degrees if possible.
I haven’t done a huge amount of research but I have learned that it pays to get a SPAL electric fan.
So, at this point I have removed the factory fan:motor assembly, I have received the new SPAL fan and am now waiting for the 4 clips/brackets to mount the new fan to the factory shroud.
See pics of the factory shroud/ fan assembly and also the “S” blade side of the new SPAL
fan.
Comments?
Kit

Patrick

FEB 04, 01:11 AM

quote

Originally posted by Kitskaboodle:

My desire is to lower operating temps by a good 10 degrees if possible.

What temperature is your engine currently operating at, say, while cruising on the highway?
Are you going by the temp gauge alone, or have you verified it another way? (ie WinALDL or similar.)
What temp thermostat do you have installed?
What temp fan switch do you have installed?

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 02-04-2022).]

olejoedad

FEB 04, 08:27 AM

I mount the new fan to the inside of the factory shroud after the OEM fan mounting "cross" is trimmed off.

Some shaping of the new fan outer ring to remove any protrusions and the rivet the two pieces together in six places.

BTW, a new fan won't lower the operating temperature, that is controlled by the thermostat.

[This message has been edited by olejoedad (edited 02-04-2022).]

82-T/A [At Work]

FEB 04, 08:58 AM

quote

Originally posted by olejoedad:

That is a super-clean install Ole Joe... what fan is it that you're using in that picture?

eti engineer

FEB 04, 09:29 AM

My Firero used to run hot, too. Mine is an '88 GT. During the summer, I would see temps up around 220 before the fan came on. So, when I did the engine rebuild, I changed out the fan control switch to a 160 degree unit. I also changed out the thermostat to a 160 degree unit. The engine runs much cooler now. The only issue I was worried about was passing CA's smog testing, since one reason the temps were so high to begin with was to ensure that there was clean combustion. I had my car smogged in November, which is not a warm month, so I was worried about that, too. Turns out that all specs were met. One was a little close, I forget what it was, but from the research I did, I found out that this is directly affected by engine combustion temps. If I fail smog on this parameter, probably all I need to do is change my T-stat back to the old one and it will pass. If you have no smog to worry about, you will be fine. Your engine will thank you for the work you have done...

quote

Originally posted by olejoedad:

J Gunsett

FEB 04, 10:21 AM

82T/A, the fan is Preform Universal Electric Fan 16" straight blade fan. 2100CFM, part# 67016. Mine came from proformparts.com. There was a thread on installing this fan, I tried to search for it but could not find anything. This fan fits inside the Fiero shroud, held with 6 screws or pop rivets.

Jack

olejoedad

FEB 04, 10:54 AM

The OEM temperature ranges are fine for the Fiero. GM designed the engine to work at those temperatures.

I doubt any performance or economy gains will be realized by lowering the coolant temperature.

Carbureted engines run better at the low temps, but the injected engines work best at OEM specs.

And the Ogre has demonstrated that underwood temperatures on the Fiero are not as high, or equal to front engined vehicles.

I changed my fan out to reduce electrical draw on the system from the old and inefficient OEM unit, that it looks better and has a safety guard. This is in a Formula with a 4.9 and stock radiator.
When my stock radiator end tank finally started leaking, I installed an American Eagle two row aluminum unit rated at maybe 600 HP. Cooling performance remained the same - it stays cool.

If the cooling system on a Fiero is in good repair, balanced coolant mix and all airflow directing devices still intact, it will handle pretty much anything Mother Nature throws at it as long as the engine is in good tune.

Kitskaboodle

FEB 04, 11:00 AM

Patrick, because I often commute to and from work in my 85 in heavy stop and go traffic, I wanted to give my Fiero a little extra cooling. If the new fan doesn’t lower operating temps as one person said, (but I think it will) I’m pretty certain the fan will not cycle as much as the factory fan as this fan definitely moves a heck of a lot more air.
In regard to your questions, I have a lower temp thermostat (180 I believe) and a low temp fan switch from Rodney, a pretty new radiator as well.
No cooling issues per say. Like I said, it’s just an upgrade to increase cooling for insurance purposes. 😀
One thing not mentioned is that the outer plastic ring in my factory fan is out of round and is presently rubbing against the shroud. By accident I had the front end up in the air on jacks abs when I lowered it down I left one of the jack stands under the bottom of the shroud.
Kit

olejoedad

FEB 04, 12:07 PM

Does your Fiero ever overheat in the stop and go traffic?

Dennis LaGrua

FEB 04, 12:26 PM

Neat install but it may only help at low speeds or when idling. Did it? When it motion or on the highway the air intake is great enough to handle the cooling needs of the engine and the fan does little. Engine temperatures also rely on the thermostat, and they do go bad.

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
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" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "