Upgraded Radiator Fans

[deecee]

Has anyone had any with upgrading to Spal Radiator Fans?

I've recently added a Heat Exchanger Style Oil Cooler and the combined Chargecooler/AC Condenser Radiator and am worried about over heating, since the Esprit will be run in the Desert.


Regards,
Daryl

[kmaier]

I have a trio of Spal 11-inch puller fans installed on a custom Griffin High-Capacity alloy radiator. You could also install them with come custom mounts on the stock radiator. Note there are 3 different 11-inch fans from Spal. Two are identical in looks and mounting but one is slightly deeper and has a stronger motor and moves more air. The third is a high-power design and draws too much current for the stock wiring harness. It also has different mounting dimensions.

In short, they are very good fans and much better than stock ones IMHO. Prices do vary a bit but they are reasonably priced in general. A proper shroud is a good idea as you have limited venting in the front to feed the radiator assembly, especially at a standstill. My radiator came with the standard Spal 11-inch fans (hence lowest air flow) and still manages to keep everything cool. I will be upgrading to the higher CFM fan of the same mounting soon.

This is what I will be upgrading to: www.spalusa.com/fans/automated/mediumprofile_11_straight.html

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[deecee]

Any idea if these fans would fit into the holes of Factory Shroud?

Daryl

[deecee]

Any idea if these fans would fit into the holes of Factory Shroud?

[kmaier]

No... existing shroud mounts to the radiator and the fans bolt in via the motor and 3 bolts. Spals are full integral assembly which mounts at the outer part of the shroud. Take a look at the drawing files in the PDFs which are on the Spal website: www.spalusa.com

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[deecee]

At 11.57 Inches, its going to be close...

By the way...I've got a price of $89 US per Fan, including Shipping or $75 per Fan and you pay for Shipping.

[deecee]

What if I were to get rid of the Shroud that comes with the Fan and just use the Motor and Blades with Custom Fabricated Brackets?

I guess the question is...Does the Fans power to move air come from the Motor or from Close Tolerances of the Blade to the Shroud?

[feffman]

Decee:

I removed the radiator this summer to have the core redone as it was leaking. The shop I took it to installed a new 4-row core (the stock core is a 2-row) and I kept the stock fans per Lotus tech Dave Simkin's recommendation. The radiator cooling capacity is more the issue with cooling then the fans, but the fans do play their part. Car runs cool in all weather, even with the air conditioning on, and we get serious heat and humidity in St. Louis. One of the best expenditures I've done for the Esprit.

Mark Pfeffer
1999 Esprit V8

[deecee]

I had to do Major Surgery to the Lower Pan in order to add the Chargecooler Radiator.

I don't doubt that a 4 core Radiator would do the trick, but the Chainsaw has already been put away and I ran out of Duct Tape & Elmer's Glue-All.

Besides the Stock Fans are 1980s Technology that is Noisy, Inefficient and a Major Current Draw.

It isn't a case of If they'll go in, its a case of the best way of doing it.

[teigan]

that fan looks the stuff. i'm holding out for electric fans that are belt driven. makes no sense to have the motor blocking airflow and contributing heat.

[Squelch]

You''ll be "running" it in the Desert.. or DRIVING it in the desert?

Stop and go.. upgrade the fans.. Full out driving.. don't bother, they shut off over 35mph anyway...