Flex fan versus electric fan

Calico Cobra · Jun 7, 2008

Hi everyone. I'm not really having cooling issues, but i plan on upgrading to a blower next year. I'm debating getting a flex fan or going all out with an electric fan and aluminum radiator. My stock fan is cracked and will need to be replaced soon. Pros and cons of each setup? I know the elec fan setup will require a 3g alternator. I had a flex fan on a previous stang and it worked great.

BTW...This will be on a street stang with limited track duty.

ill advised · Jun 7, 2008

I personally don't like the flex fan. Too noisy and with no fan clutch I can't imagine it being more efficient than a stocker. The razor sharp edges aren't too inviting either. lol I would replace the stock fan for now and go ahead with the electric/aluminum set-up once you install the blower.

FrankenStang · Jun 7, 2008

Flex fans suck donkey balls. I had one on my Capri for awhile. Sounded like a Hoover vacuum. I've got the stock clutch fan on it now. My Notch has an electric fan (courtesy of Darkwriter77). I really like the electric fan.

Calico Cobra · Jun 7, 2008

so the opinion on the flex fan is all bad i see. I hate the plastic stocker though with a passion. Mine's all cracked and definitely need replacing. Any + experiences with the flex fan?

Mustang5L5 · Jun 7, 2008

E-fan > flex fan

85_SS_302_Coupe · Jun 7, 2008

Electric is superior to any other style fan there is (provided you have the charging power to support your electrical system). Any other fan that works off the serpentine system is going to create parasitic drag on the engine. I brought a laser heat sensor light with me to the track and checked my temp after every pass and with the Mark VIII fan my temp never got over 185 (190 thermostat and stock radiator).

93tealstang · Jun 7, 2008

I'm going to give the flex fan a try myself. Anything's gotta be better than the heavy stockers that develop cracks all over. I got a sub box/amp and underdrives so I don't need anything else to drag down the charging system.

Calico Cobra · Jun 8, 2008

93tealstang said:
I'm going to give the flex fan a try myself. Anything's gotta be better than the heavy stockers that develop cracks all over. I got a sub box/amp and underdrives so I don't need anything else to drag down the charging system.

I have the exact same setup. My thinking (even with upgraded 3g alternator), an e-fan may overtax the charging system. Let me know how it works out for you.

LiquidGT · Jun 8, 2008

93tealstang said:
I'm going to give the flex fan a try myself. Anything's gotta be better than the heavy stockers that develop cracks all over. I got a sub box/amp and underdrives so I don't need anything else to drag down the charging system.

I dont like the flex fans because the rivets can let go and 'explode' the blade through the hood or worse. Try a 200 amp 3G alternator, I suppose it would hold a stereo and E-fan.

On the local forum I got flamed for saying an E-fan is better than a stock fan. WTF?

HISSIN50 · Jun 8, 2008

A properly functioning stock set-up is pretty decent IMHO. I personally had good luck in up to 115*F ambient temps (desert SW) with a HD clutch and FAL metal replacement fan blade. It is quite noisy but that kinda goes with moving some air.

For the money this will cost however, you're well on your way to a 3G, E-fan and Delta controller swap, especially if you go with a used alt and fan assembly.

For a blower car, I'd go with the electric set-up.

Good luck with the decision.

Cobra912 · Jun 8, 2008

I'll never understand why everyone insists that you HAVE to upgrade your alternator.......I run a thermostat controlled Proform e-fan with no issues on the stock alt.. I don't have a stereo but with the fan running and my headlights, msd box underdrives etc. my volts guage doesn't even move......

795.0pacecar · Jun 8, 2008

Everyone insists that you upgrade to a 3G because a good fan will over tax the electrical system. A Taurus fan or a mark VIII fan will draw over 35 amps at start up. A proform fan is a pretty weak fan and doesn't blow near the air that either of the fans I listed do. I had a stock alt for about a month after I put my Taurus fan on, and at idle my charging voltage was 10 volts, and while driving it was just over 12, now with the 3g it doesn't get below 13.8v.

lang williams · Jun 8, 2008

My car is a carb set up so I'm going to use an e fan with the stock alt...no big radio or nothin, no climate controls...if it doesn't help go, stop, or turn fast, it ain't on the car.

aaros · Jun 8, 2008

i had a flex fan drop a blade one day at 2K rpm. chuked it into the the vac can, i was lucky. it did cause an unbalance at the water pump and eventualy i had to replace it even though i imediatly changed the flex fan out for a stocker.

FrankenStang · Jun 8, 2008

93tealstang said:
I'm going to give the flex fan a try myself. Anything's gotta be better than the heavy stockers that develop cracks all over. I got a sub box/amp and underdrives so I don't need anything else to drag down the charging system.

Bad idea.

LiquidGT said:
I dont like the flex fans because the rivets can let go and 'explode' the blade through the hood or worse. Try a 200 amp 3G alternator, I suppose it would hold a stereo and E-fan.

On the local forum I got flamed for saying an E-fan is better than a stock fan. WTF?

aaros said:
i had a flex fan drop a blade one day at 2K rpm. chuked it into the the vac can, i was lucky. it did cause an unbalance at the water pump and eventualy i had to replace it even though i imediatly changed the flex fan out for a stocker.

Mine lost a blade once too. Had the fan removed for something else and the guy looked at me, showed me the fan and said, "what's wrong with this picture?". I said, "Holy ****, a blade is missing!". I have no idea where it went. Apparently I got lucky and it didn't hit any major "organs" under teh hood. It got replaced with another flex fan but later on it was replaced with a clutch fan. I still have the flex fan and spacer if anyone wants the POS.

85_SS_302_Coupe · Jun 8, 2008

I'll add another comment on the flex fan issue...had one on my previous '83/351W car and a blade came off. Luckily the hood was down but it put a nice slice in my hood. They're just not a good idea IMO...you'd be better off with a clutch fan that isn't spinning constantly. Also the advantage of an electric over a crank driven fan is that it has 100% cooling ability 100% of the time, whereas a crank driven fan is only going to push max cfm of air at a given RPM, so in a situation like sitting in traffic on a hot day or sitting in the staging lanes at the track, your typical crank driven fan isn't going to keep the car as cool as an electric fan. That alone is reason enough to stick with electrics.

Get a good battery, a 3g, install fresh wires to the battery and don't run an underdrive pully on the alt and you'll be fine with whatever else electrical toys you're running. (within reason...if you're an audio junky and you already know you really should have 2 batteries ran for your setup, then you should know better).

Calico Cobra · Jun 8, 2008

The e-fan sounds like the better all around option. I wasn't aware the blades were coming off in some applications. Looks like an e fan, alum radiator, controller and 3g alternator will be my next mods.

85_SS_302_Coupe · Jun 8, 2008

As i said before, i'm running a stock radiator and a 3G with a Mark VIII fan and i'm tellin you this fan is no BS. I've got it ran with one of those cheap $30 controllers that has the sensor that slips inside the radiator hose and has a simple knob to adjust where it comes on at. Then i ran an override toggle to the interior so i can switch it on any time i want it on (like at the track if it isn't already running) and that's that. I was making back-to-back passes at the track as fast as the staging lanes would move and my engine never got hotter than 185*.

Fan - $15
Alt. - $25

93tealstang · Jun 10, 2008

Calico Cobra said:
I have the exact same setup. My thinking (even with upgraded 3g alternator), an e-fan may overtax the charging system. Let me know how it works out for you.

My flex fan is installed and all is good. It's whisper quiet, cools good, and looks good. If you really don't want to wrap up alot of money, just go with the flex fan. I know everyone on here is all for electrics, but do what you think will work better for your car.

5.0Droptop · Jun 10, 2008

flex fan = loud,power robbing,dangerous.

go electric or stay stock.

Flex fan versus electric fan

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