Upgraded Fans for 500 HP 3.8

[Lynn D. Brown]

Hey Guys,

What have y'all used to upgrade cooling for the 3.8 ? Just got a full house rebuild and it's running great but hot. Ambient temp gets to ~ 85-90, and the car shows ~ 200-210 F w a Mech Autometer hooked into the old idiot light port (Pass side) even w a 160 F TS. Then in traffic it heads towards 220-230F. Afraid to even use the AC then. Anyway, looking at Summit & Jegs, thought I would go Dual electric, and I see a couple of decent looking choices :

Flexalite has choices from ~$220-370 for 11"-13.5" pairs that includes Thermostat (TS) and a relay. BeCool has an 11" pair, and Derale has a pair (size not mentioned). There are 2 Alum Radiator/Fan packages specifically for the GN, but they're ~ $1100., and I already have an upgraded 4 core truck-type copper radiator. A couple of these packages supposedly pull in the 4000 CFM range, so that is what I'm thinking about. Not sure U can have "too much".

I guess they all strap on thru the fins to the radiator, which seems kinda Mickey Mouse. The thermostat sensor shoves into the fins also, but I would prefer something that bolts into the intake manifold (IM) - maybe using the existing sensor location (ECM fan control)on the top of the IM. I would also like to have manual switches, so I can turn either of the fans when I want (racing, etc.). Alot of them pull in the 30-50 Amp range, so relay(s) will certainly be necessary.

So what's everybody been doing ?

 

[sixgun86gn]

The dual fan kit from ramchargers the cheapest and best cooling mod out there.Just over $100 with the adapter harness I beleive.

 

[mark b]

2nd choice after Ramchargers is the dual Spal fan setup. A bit more expensive. I think I paid around $250-300 for mine. Cal Hartline had them last I checked. Hard to beat the Ramchargers deal, but the Spal *may be* a more durable fan.

You were on the GN list and are Frank Week's buddy, right?

 

[BandAid]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...tem=7984804971&category=33600&sspagename=WDVW

No better fan on the MArket --Period---

 

[Ormand]

First thing to do, and then the second thing, is to clean the radiator. I found out years ago that when the radiator is left empty for a while, the crud on the inside of the tubes dries and the tubes get to much less conductive than they were before. The stuff is resistant to cleaning, which is why I suggest cleaning twice. It might not solve the problem completely, but you can do it quickly, and it won't cost much.

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

I would look into a aluminum radiator and the ramchargers dual fan kit-
That old 4 core radiator could be too old?


Make sure all your plastic cladding is still intact between the grill and radiator, if those are missing, its possible the air is going around the radiator and not into it.

I just run a napa aluminum radiator and the dual fan kit for my cars, but i dont know how streetable your car is... My green car should have over 500HP and all i have on it is a napa single core aluminum radiator and the ramchargers dual fan kit-

My chip is programmed to come on at 160° and i can run a switch to the relay on the drivers side to kick it on at the track.
I have less than 200.00 in my setup.

I wished i could tell you how hot it gets, but it has a broken transmission right now, i have a 23 row stretch intercooler... Do you have a front mount?


I run my fans on high without a relay, no problems yet.
BW