Flex-a-lite Electric Fans??
Flex-a-lite Electric Fans?? Are the Flex-a-lite Electric Fans good quality? It's been recommended that I look at the 210 or 295 series fans for my LS6 radiator. I'm don't know how to determine the flow rate needed and if this brand will last.
Any help appreciated!!
Mike R.
Any help appreciated!!
Mike R.
I have one on my car (the 195, I think) and I've had no cooling problems. Detroit weather is far different from Vegas, so your cooling requirements are much greater than mine.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
A couple other good fans to consider would be the Volvo S80 or the Torus 2 speed fans. Great air flow at half the price...
I bought the S80 new on Ebay for $100 with the 17 x 24 inch shroud.
I bought the S80 new on Ebay for $100 with the 17 x 24 inch shroud.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Volvo S80 Electric Fan from eBay is $95
Fan intake side
Fan output side
The money shot
Compare that last pic to the Taurus fan and you’ll be sold too.
Very similar in looks to the Taurus Fan, I got this one simply because the shroud seemed to be a little bit wider and fit my radiator better (27.5x16). The Taurus Fan (either 1-speed or 2-speed or any other similar fan) could easily be substituted here. The Volvo fan shroud is 17" tall and 24” wide without mounting tabs and 3" to 3.750” deep at the shaft of the motor. It’s stock on models V70, S60, S80, & S70. The 1994/95 Taurus/Sable Fans seem to be the most similar to the one that I used. The 1991-1993 Taurus/Sable Fans appear to be the same thing with just a different shroud and separate high and low speed wires.
The Delta FK-35 controller is something to consider. I know that by changing the speed of the fan depending on the difference in temperature of the coolant versus the desired temperature is MUCH better than a simple cycling of "ON" and "OFF" to maintain temperature. This allows for a "soft start" with low amperage draw at startup. The controller can also be hooked up w/ an AC lead that keeps the speed at a minimum of 50%, and can also be hooked up to continue to cool after the ignition is off if desired. It comes preset for a control temperature of 180*, and other selectable temperatures are 158*, 166*, 194*, and 202*. The kit that I purchased comes w/ the controller, the heat sensor, all wiring, and instructions w/ illustrations. The controller can be mounted anywhere up by the firewall w/ the supplied wiring. It's about the size of a deck of cards. It's also a sealed unit.
Soft start fan controller is $109.
http://www.dccontrol.com/
Fan intake side
Fan output side
The money shot
Compare that last pic to the Taurus fan and you’ll be sold too.
Very similar in looks to the Taurus Fan, I got this one simply because the shroud seemed to be a little bit wider and fit my radiator better (27.5x16). The Taurus Fan (either 1-speed or 2-speed or any other similar fan) could easily be substituted here. The Volvo fan shroud is 17" tall and 24” wide without mounting tabs and 3" to 3.750” deep at the shaft of the motor. It’s stock on models V70, S60, S80, & S70. The 1994/95 Taurus/Sable Fans seem to be the most similar to the one that I used. The 1991-1993 Taurus/Sable Fans appear to be the same thing with just a different shroud and separate high and low speed wires.
The Delta FK-35 controller is something to consider. I know that by changing the speed of the fan depending on the difference in temperature of the coolant versus the desired temperature is MUCH better than a simple cycling of "ON" and "OFF" to maintain temperature. This allows for a "soft start" with low amperage draw at startup. The controller can also be hooked up w/ an AC lead that keeps the speed at a minimum of 50%, and can also be hooked up to continue to cool after the ignition is off if desired. It comes preset for a control temperature of 180*, and other selectable temperatures are 158*, 166*, 194*, and 202*. The kit that I purchased comes w/ the controller, the heat sensor, all wiring, and instructions w/ illustrations. The controller can be mounted anywhere up by the firewall w/ the supplied wiring. It's about the size of a deck of cards. It's also a sealed unit.
Soft start fan controller is $109.
http://www.dccontrol.com/
I went to the Delta Current Control web site and they have an "integral fan" that should take care of my needs just fine. 24" wide dual 12" fans, up to 3400 cfm at full fan speed, with an intregal speed controller. Mount the fans, hook up the two power wires, insert the included temperature sensor into the radiator fins, done. It's expensive, $365, but would be about the same as the Flex-a-lite 210 ($240) with a speed controller ($110).
http://www.dccontrol.com/
http://www.dccontrol.com/
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?
Pouria Savadkouei
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
Better to go with two smaller fans as that is what the LS1 originally had. Most of the time you only need one fan and the current draw is less than a big single.
2500 CFM is a good place to start.
Most new cars have dual fans and the OEM ones are cheap on ebay if you can find the right shroud dimensions.
SPAL are the best aftermarket but I'm going with the flex-a-lite dual 12" for my setup as they are almost $100 cheaper.
2500 CFM is a good place to start.
Most new cars have dual fans and the OEM ones are cheap on ebay if you can find the right shroud dimensions.
SPAL are the best aftermarket but I'm going with the flex-a-lite dual 12" for my setup as they are almost $100 cheaper.
TECH Resident
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 807
Likes: 0
From: TAMPA by way of MIAMI!!!
I still have the Flex-a-lite 210 from my old Blazer I'm thinking about getting the VSC and putting it on my '03 Blazer X. Besides it'll give me an excuse to get the sheet metal barake I've been wanting. This is gonna be a bad summer down here in FL and that damn clutch fan is allways engaged.
Originally Posted by firefighter
I still have the Flex-a-lite 210 from my old Blazer I'm thinking about getting the VSC and putting it on my '03 Blazer X. Besides it'll give me an excuse to get the sheet metal barake I've been wanting. This is gonna be a bad summer down here in FL and that damn clutch fan is allways engaged.
Originally Posted by firefighter
Will do. But I'll prolly get around to putting it on this summer after I get sick of listening to the clutch fan.
One of these days I'll be ready to put the radiator back in it and fans would be nice to have at that time.
By the way, great looking Blazer.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 0
From: Middleburg, FL
I HAD a set of Flex-a-Lite 282s on my Suburban. The fuse and wiring was recalled, but I didn't know until it melted down, and let me overheat. Then the VSC (Variable Speed Controller) melted down (after causing SERIOUS battery drain, WELL past the 28a it 's supposed to have) I mean LITERALLY melted down, and almost caught my truck on fire. They said, "yeah you must have one of the old VSCs. They do that! You never registered it with us, so we can't warranty it, but we'll sell you a new one for cheap!" I had to argue with them JUST to match Summit's price on the VSC. It's on eBay now, and a mechanical fan is back on my truck.
Sorry for the rant! Point is, NO FLEX-A-LITE!!!
Sorry for the rant! Point is, NO FLEX-A-LITE!!!
Originally Posted by 30th TA 0219
--snip--
They said, "yeah you must have one of the old VSCs. They do that! You never registered it with us, so we can't warranty it, but we'll sell you a new one for cheap!" I had to argue with them JUST to match Summit's price on the VSC. It's on eBay now, and a mechanical fan is back on my truck.
Sorry for the rant! Point is, NO FLEX-A-LITE!!!
They said, "yeah you must have one of the old VSCs. They do that! You never registered it with us, so we can't warranty it, but we'll sell you a new one for cheap!" I had to argue with them JUST to match Summit's price on the VSC. It's on eBay now, and a mechanical fan is back on my truck.
Sorry for the rant! Point is, NO FLEX-A-LITE!!!
Thanks,
Mike R.
