The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Before I start could the moderators please consider a seperate section on engine cooling because it is a problem for many .

My RX Turbo L series has intermittant cooling issues and after looking at the MY/L series factory bits I can safely say these cars were under engineered .
Basically I'd like to know what people have used in the way of aftermarket electric radiator fans (size + number) and how they've wired them in .
After ditching all the aircon gear from my RX-T it looks feasable to run twin fans ie Davies Craigs and possibly 12" ones . I like the idea of having thermo fans behind the radiator because they don't obstruct air on the way through ie not shrouded by the fans motors . I hear that people have dramas fitting elec fans where the mechanical one used to be because of lack of space in front of the water pump . I suppose its possible to have the drivers side one in the bay and the nearside one in front of the radiator .

As for switching the Davies Craig adjustable temp kits look the go . From searches there are three types of probes available .

1) The under the top hose capilary type - do they seal ok ?
2) The sort of cable tie/between the gills probe .
3) The drill/tap and screw in gland sealing type .

I understand the adjustable unit picks up an ignition sourced power supply and past the adjustable unit this becomes the trigger wire for the fan power relays . Most seem to get main fan power direct from the battery and via inline fuses .

Can I have some examples of peoples set ups - those using the std type radiator .

Cheers Adrian .

I've only just recently done the twin electric fan conversion on my L-series a week ago. Like you said, getting the right sized fan is a ***** but I found a 10" one on a wrecked car at PnP for $20 and positioned it slightly off center, basically hard up against the original electric fan and the bottom of the radiator. This kept the center of the motor well away from pulleys and belts. Mine's also fitted with power steering so for those reading this that don't have it fitted on their cars might be able to fit it a little higher.

Getting rid of the clutch fan means that there isn't the fan constantly drawing air through the radiator when cold as well so that's increased the cold running temp - a good thing I think, rather than having it run rich all the time in winter (mine was barely getting above the C mark). It comes up to operating temp much faster too. However, at the same time I threw in the override switch so that I can turn the fans on (for sand or slow steep work), off (for creek crossings) and normal (for .. normal thermoswitched operation - however this runs both the fans instead of just the one electric fan now). The twin fans have certainly made a difference for the air-conditioning being colder when at idle and slow driving.

If you really want the switching to be manually overriden then add the switch. If you just want it to kick in at a lower temperature (which is what you might be aiming for if you're looking at the variable type thermoswitch) then you might be better off replacing the thermoswitch in the radiator with one of a lower temp and this will save you some work.

Sorry not too much knowledge about temp sensors but I can give some info on fan sizes which fit...

Davies Craig list the 10" size (model DSC10 I think?) as the standard replacement size for an L series.
But I can tell you the 12" version fits fine.
I managed to squeeze two of these in between my custom dual core radiator and EJ engine.
With a single core radiator and an EA engine there is litterally a butt-load of room.

Alex discovered recently you can fit a huge thermo fan on the front side of the radiator too, he used a standard Liberty fan here - they blow a mammoth amount of air.

Actually there is another way to trigger the fan relay/s .
Jaycar sell a "Simple Voltage Switch" kit and this can be run off the cars original gauge or computers (EFI) temp probe .

I had a look at the Davies Craig site for fan measurements and I think its possible to just squeeze two 12" fans in front of the L's radiator .
The trick would be to fabricate the vertical steel stiffner in front of the middle of the radiator to move it further forward . Also if the fans were mounted on simple brackets getting the rad in and out would be much simpler .
Also D.C mention that the airflow from the fans is greater in pusher than puller mode .

Cheers A .

[quote="discopotato03"]

Ahh that is true.

Due to the fact that pushing air increases its pressure and thus its density and ability to remove heat from the radiator

ah interesting that they push better than pull. i have two thermos. up until this arvo one 12" calibre brand one was run directly off a switch and the other 10" davies craig was run with the original thermo wiring. now im running both off a switch all the time coz something bodgy was going on.

if i was to buy them again i would def get 2x 12" davies craig fans because they blow a ****load of air, compared to others. my setup/needs are for offroad with the std radiator.

I have a twin core radiator with a modified Liberty small fan and shroud with a Calibre 10in on the passenger side and have no issue with keeping the car cool. Running temp is around 90degrees

discopotato03 wrote:Actually there is another way to trigger the fan relay/s .
Jaycar sell a "Simple Voltage Switch" kit and this can be run off the cars original gauge or computers (EFI) temp probe .

I had a look at the Davies Craig site for fan measurements and I think its possible to just squeeze two 12" fans in front of the L's radiator .
The trick would be to fabricate the vertical steel stiffner in front of the middle of the radiator to move it further forward . Also if the fans were mounted on simple brackets getting the rad in and out would be much simpler .
Also D.C mention that the airflow from the fans is greater in pusher than puller mode .

Cheers A .

Hey
How would you wire the voltage switch up. As I've got one but not sure how to wire it up. Also what voltage should it be set to.

discopotato03 wrote:Actually there is another way to trigger the fan relay/s .
Jaycar sell a "Simple Voltage Switch" kit and this can be run off the cars original gauge or computers (EFI) temp probe .

I had a look at the Davies Craig site for fan measurements and I think its possible to just squeeze two 12" fans in front of the L's radiator .
The trick would be to fabricate the vertical steel stiffner in front of the middle of the radiator to move it further forward . Also if the fans were mounted on simple brackets getting the rad in and out would be much simpler .
Also D.C mention that the airflow from the fans is greater in pusher than puller mode .

Cheers A .

It is definitely possible. My wagon runs two 12" davies craig fans. This is with a fatter dual core radiator and an EJ engine so less space than a standard L already.

Right now I'm installing Twin Fans setup on my BumbleBeast EA82, (here is the Thread in other forum) and I Really want to make them to kick on at lower temperature; I found this:

subalex wrote:...If you just want it to kick in at a lower temperature ... then you might be better off replacing the thermoswitch in the radiator with one of a lower temp and this will save you some work.

So, my Question is: Where I Can Find a Lower temp ThermoSwitch that fit on my EA82 Dual core Radiator?

Kind Regards.

I don't know of a specific switch but I'd start with using a parts supplier website like http://www.tridon.com.au/Products/Produ ... 483&P=2014

They're got switches listed by thread pitch and diameter, as well as the open and close temps. Surely there is something that matches the thread but has more desirable temp range for your application. Otherwise there are adjustable aftermarket switches like the Davies Craig units http://www.daviescraig.com.au/Controlle ... ntent.aspx

I purchased a unit that clamps onto the top radiator hose. this hard plastic unit has a small temperature sender to a digital adjusting unit on the dash. That unit is easy to adjust the cut in temperature for your fan/s and it cuts out 7 degrees lower than that mark.

The unit also has an inbuilt voltage gauge.





both units were found at autobarn. about $180 for the two but well worth it.

I bought 2 davies craig thermo fans from TUFFCARPARTS for $170 each- cheap and 100%perfect.

http://www.tuffcarparts.com/index.php?o ... &Itemid=27

Tweety wrote: both units were found at autobarn. about $180 for the two but well worth it.

I bought 2 davies craig thermo fans from TUFFCARPARTS for $170 each- cheap and 100%perfect.

CHEAP?!?!

my budget for the rally car is limited at a grand for the year, including entry fees.
AU thermo fans 40$ from U pull it, havent put them on yet will have to do more mods though.

Cheap compared to Davies Craig elsewhere I think. And having read up on fans that make seems to push/pull more air than others.

You could be right Spike....but $40? dont know about the quality. Personally I'm tired of buying really cheap stuff then replacing it. With crook knees my hobby (trike) is notg etting easier to work on so repalcing items isnt among my desires.

My thermo switch unit I posted pics of is great. Can change the cut in of the fans while I ride if I want. Heavy traffic coming up? just push two buttons and change the cut in point.

Here is a pic I took two days ago when I pulled intoan underground car park. was at 76 degrees.



and this is the ea81 lit up with green LED's



Great ocean road Lorne Victoria



Spike, I hope I dont come across as a silver spoon guy. I know what its like to be on a tight budget. I ran Lotue Escorts in the early 80's and struggled to fill the fuel tanks. So "cheap" to me now semi retired might be expensive to you. regards Tony

nah its right tweety, i was just taking a dig and giving people another option.
AU (i think) are the ones to get, theyre curved and all that jazz that the good Davis Craig ones are.
most people who use them buy new ones at i think 110 or so, but U pull it sells all fans at 20$ so two are 40.

Hey Spike..By 'AU' do mean off an AU falcon?? Just curious..

Also if you fit a massive fan on the front side of your radiator (i assume you dont have A/C) wouldnt that mean you get less airflow at speed which could cause problems? Opinions?

Wagonman wrote:Also if you fit a massive fan on the front side of your radiator (i assume you dont have A/C) wouldnt that mean you get less airflow at speed which could cause problems? Opinions?

If it has a solid shroud that covers more space than the fan blade area then yes. If it's just a fan without a solid shroud that covers more than the blade area it'll be alright, the fan's motor area is the only section that will block airflow, the fins might slow the airflow down a bit but that'd be it.

Cheers

Bennie

Wagonman wrote:Hey Spike..By 'AU' do mean off an AU falcon?? Just curious..

Also if you fit a massive fan on the front side of your radiator (i assume you dont have A/C) wouldnt that mean you get less airflow at speed which could cause problems? Opinions?

sorry yeah au falcon oops

the common consencus is that pull though fans work better than pusher fans.

spike wrote:sorry yeah au falcon oops

the common consencus is that pull though fans work better than pusher fans.

I think this is a miss-conception - puller fans allow more air flow at speed because they don't block out the air flow as they're mounted behind the radiator, so the air's not deflected until it's already passed through the radiator.

My thoughts on this one anyway, I'm happy to hear different though

Cheers

Bennie