Aluminum Radiator/fan Would You Rather?

FoxMustangLvr · Apr 7, 2014

I know this could get opinionated pretty quick but at least it will help me figure out where to go with my car. I already have an aluminum radiator with BeCool dual 11" e-fans. I'm debating running the aluminum radiator one of two ways, either with the e-fans (i'd have to purchase the controller/wiring kit and a 3g alternator upgrade kit) or I could run the aluminum radiator with the stock mechanical fan and shroud.

Opinions? Should I invest the $ it takes to run the dual fans or just use the aluminum radiator with the stock mechanical fan?

This is going on a street driven 88 notch with n/a 306, 5 spd typical h/c/i.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/bci-75007/overview/

What do you think about his non adjustable controller?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/bci-75117/overview/

Grabbin' Asphalt · Apr 7, 2014

If you go electric, get the dual one. My single 275 black magic 2800cfm worked better on my stock 2 row, when I went to a 3 row (more fluid to cool at one time) it has to work harder to cool it the same. So 2 row radiator, single is fine, 3 row row and up, go to a dual type fan.

FoxMustangLvr · Apr 7, 2014

I already have that Be Cool dual e-fan in my possession along with an aluminum 2 row radiator. So is the dual fan going to be worth the investment over aluminum with stock style mechanical fan?

Grabbin' Asphalt · Apr 7, 2014

From my experience the 2 row is fine with a single electric fan, when the rows go higher then you need a dual.

racerxmd · Apr 7, 2014

Here is by far the Best set up to have. It is a Ford Contour fan set up. I had -16 An male fitting welded on since this pic was take. I have this going on my 427 Windsor on my '86 GT:

Grabbin' Asphalt · Apr 7, 2014

racerxmd said:
Here is by far the Best set up to have. It is a Ford Contour fan set up. I had -16 An male fitting welded on since this pic was take. I have this going on my 427 Windsor on my '86 GT:

Could you do a write up of your install cause I would like to learn more about doing this later.

racerxmd · Apr 7, 2014

On mine, my friend Troy (RaceWires.com in Denver,PA) just had a bracket welded to teh radiator to mount the Ford Contour Fan set up. Troy can help you also if interested. I also think there was a guy in the Corral that was selling kits also. Here is the bracket before the welding was done:

racerxmd · Apr 7, 2014

RACE Wires | Facebook

Grabbin' Asphalt · Apr 7, 2014

Did you use the factory wire hook up or fab a harness, relay etc??

mikestang63 · Apr 7, 2014

Couple of things

1. If you have the e fan run it. Not only will it free up some hp, but it will cool the engine/radiator more efficiently than a mechanical fan.
2. If you increase the thickness of the radiator, then the amount of cfm needed to pull increases as well for the fan. Also, if you keep the mechanical fan be careful of where the fan blades end up as they may be too close to the radiator with a thicker fan.

FWIW, I run a Champion aluminum 2 core with a Taurus 2 speed single E fan and a FAL 33054 controller. Works great in the S fla heat

racerxmd · Apr 7, 2014

My friend just ran the wires like this:

Then he preferred to use the Hayden fan controller, which he installed in my glove box:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...gRVy5RdjOTeKuXSEA&sig2=nCHOsS9e3GBhpBIH1EJ9oQ

FoxMustangLvr · Apr 7, 2014

mikestang63 said:
Couple of things

1. If you have the e fan run it. Not only will it free up some hp, but it will cool the engine/radiator more efficiently than a mechanical fan.
2. If you increase the thickness of the radiator, then the amount of cfm needed to pull increases as well for the fan. Also, if you keep the mechanical fan be careful of where the fan blades end up as they may be too close to the radiator with a thicker fan.

FWIW, I run a Champion aluminum 2 core with a Taurus 2 speed single E fan and a FAL 33054 controller. Works great in the S fla heat

@mikestang63 Thanks for that info and staying on topic (a jab at the other guys).
It stays a consistent low/mid 90's here in Spokane from late June through August and it's a lot of rolling hills and low speeds for my commute so efficient cooling is important as well as staying on budget. Everyone highly recommends the 3g upgrade anyways so I might as well do that.

Is an adjustable controller important? The relay wiring kit for the dual Be Cool fans is $159 (link provided in first post) and turns ON at 195 degrees, 175 degrees OFF. That seems like a good operating temp to me. I have no A/C fwiw.

Grabbin' Asphalt · Apr 7, 2014

FoxMustangLvr said:
@mikestang63 Thanks for that info and staying on topic (a jab at the other guys).
It stays a consistent low/mid 90's here in Spokane from late June through August and it's a lot of rolling hills and low speeds for my commute so efficient cooling is important as well as staying on budget. Everyone highly recommends the 3g upgrade anyways so I might as well do that.

Is an adjustable controller important? The relay wiring kit for the dual Be Cool fans is $159 (link provided in first post) and turns ON at 195 degrees, 175 degrees OFF. That seems like a good operating temp to me. I have no A/C fwiw.

Completely on topic, discussing your 2 fan posibility. Besides the 2 row 1 fan was already established

FoxMustangLvr · Apr 7, 2014

Grabbin' Asphalt said:
Completely on topic, discussing your 2 fan posibility. Besides the 2 row 1 fan was already established

Yes, 2 fan possibility,
#1) alum radiator w/ be cool dual 11" fans (because I already own this but need to buy controller and 3g upgrade to run it)
#2) alum radiator w/ stock mech fan (this is "free" since I already have these parts)

You commented on neither, you mentioned radiator w/ single e-fan which does no apply to me. Your comments in other threads i've read have been spot on and valuable IMO so.......back to what applies to my original post, is it worth the investment (buying controller + 3g alt) to run my e-fans or is aluminum radiator w/ stock mech. fan nearly just as good and it won't cost me anything?

I don't want to over invest $ on something unless it's really worth it. I have no experience with converting over to e-fan and how beneficial it is (or is not) to do it.

I appreciate any guidance regarding my situation.

FoxMustangLvr · Apr 7, 2014

LMR has the 3g upgrade kit for $210
Summit has dual fan wire kit for my be cool fans for $159

total is $369 for me to run dual e-fans vs. mech fan.

A5literMan · Apr 7, 2014

FoxMustangLvr said:
LMR has the 3g upgrade kit for $210
Summit has dual fan wire kit for my be cool fans for $159

total is $369 for me to run dual e-fans vs. mech fan.

I think the 369$ would be well spent on these upgrades. We all know how ineffective the stock Alt. is and the 130 is a worthwhile improvement. Also you already have the elec fans(which free up a few hp and cools more efficiently) and just need the few extras to run it. Sure you can run a mech fan with the alum radiator. I just would upgrade and be done with it

Grabbin' Asphalt · Apr 7, 2014

FoxMustangLvr said:
Yes, 2 fan possibility,
#1) alum radiator w/ be cool dual 11" fans (because I already own this but need to buy controller and 3g upgrade to run it)
#2) alum radiator w/ stock mech fan (this is "free" since I already ha ve these parts)

You commented on neither, you mentioned radiator w/ single e-fan which does no apply to me. Your comments in other threads i've read have be en spot on and valuable IMO so.......back to what applies to my original post, is it worth the investment (buying controller + 3g alt) to run my e-fans or is aluminum radiator w/ stock mech. fan nearly just as good and it won't cost me anything?

I don't want to over invest $ on something unless it's really worth it. I have no experience with converting over to e-fan and how beneficial it is (or is not) to do it.

I appreciate any guidance regarding my situation.

It absolutely applies to you, your first post did not mention what row radiator, only after my initial post. But from my 1st answer, you can assume anything above a single electeic fan with a 2 row is even more helpful in the cooling dept. For example your dual electric fan is > than a single electric with 2 row. But your main decision with that route is obviously how you want to temp control it. I have the temp slide in probe in the radiator with a turn dial on the fan in the engine bay. I've never had an issue with mine. But i do like the glove box idea that came out of the discussion above, that you didn't like but the other big point like mike stated was if you go above the 2row with a stock fan, clearance will need to be checked

Grabbin' Asphalt · Apr 7, 2014

and YES do the 3g upgrade with the electric fan, no way around that, plus you'll put to rest a fire hazzard in your car

Grabbin' Asphalt · Apr 7, 2014

FoxMustangLvr said:
Your comments in other threads i've read have been spot on and valuable IMO.

I don't want to over invest $ on something unless it's worth it.

Hey thanks some don't like my outta' the box thinking on some things but i try and help out with my experiences best i can.
But IMO before you proceed check your 2g alt plug and make sure it's not melting as we speak, took some pics of mine when i did my 3g

see if i can find the link for some pics you can see the plug.

Grabbin' Asphalt · Apr 7, 2014

Here is the link to that 2g to 3g upgrade thread with lots of pics

http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/my-3g-install-pics.871408/#post-8757564

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