flex fan vs plastic flex fan vs electric

[Phoenyx]

Well after seeing what my buddy's flex fan did to his hood.....

But, I've also seen that happen with stock fans.

 

[patmckinneyracing]

I have used the stock thermo fan, flex fan, and electric. In order of best to worst: electric, thermo fan, and flex.

When I first tinkering with my car, the fan went out pretty quick, so I replaced the stock thermostat clutch on the fan for a straight clutch. That setup worked for about 3-4 years before the new clutch went out and cause my engine to overheat big time while I was driving.

So as a quick fix, I ended up using a flex fan. They sound cool initially and give that blower sound, after a while they get boring. What really hurts is how this fan actually robs you of 10-15 horsepower and you lose mpg's as well. Then I started hearing of flex fans blowing apart and destroying setups. So I figured next I'd try electric.

I have yet to fully test the electric fan setup but from what I've read so far, the Mark VIII and Thunderbird fan are the best out there (Yes STOCK single fan, I have a thunderbird fan). They flow more than any other fan out there and are an 18 inch fan. The only downside is that you need to upgrade your alternator with a CS144 alternator which gives between 100-140amps. These can be found in almost all cadillacs, primarily Devilles and fleetwoods from the mid 90's and they bolt up in most cases with no issues. Google "CS144 alternator" and you'll see that even jeep guys are swapping over to these alternators.

 

[JBreu]

I have used the stock thermo fan, flex fan, and electric. In order of best to worst: electric, thermo fan, and flex.

When I first tinkering with my car, the fan went out pretty quick, so I replaced the stock thermostat clutch on the fan for a straight clutch. That setup worked for about 3-4 years before the new clutch went out and cause my engine to overheat big time while I was driving.

So as a quick fix, I ended up using a flex fan. They sound cool initially and give that blower sound, after a while they get boring. What really hurts is how this fan actually robs you of 10-15 horsepower and you lose mpg's as well. Then I started hearing of flex fans blowing apart and destroying setups. So I figured next I'd try electric.

I have yet to fully test the electric fan setup but from what I've read so far, the Mark VIII and Thunderbird fan are the best out there (Yes STOCK single fan, I have a thunderbird fan). They flow more than any other fan out there and are an 18 inch fan. The only downside is that you need to upgrade your alternator with a CS144 alternator which gives between 100-140amps. These can be found in almost all cadillacs, primarily Devilles and fleetwoods from the mid 90's and they bolt up in most cases with no issues. Google "CS144 alternator" and you'll see that even jeep guys are swapping over to these alternators.

I figured sooner or later PatMcKinney would chime in, as he just did some cool stuff, no pun intended, with an electrical fan....Bout time bro 🙂

 

[patmckinneyracing]

Would have been sooner but have been trying to get info on how to notch the frame and that whole can of worms. :lol: