LS1/Electric Fan Install Tech Article

[agreif]

Hey guys, I threw together a little LS1 Fan tech article for those hesitant to do it based on what all goes into installing it. I think this covers just about everything, hope it is helpful.

http://bertok.us/agreif/fans/fanstech.htm

Andrew

[Atreyu]

whats the benefit of doing a LS1 fan install ? less drag on the motor ?

[agreif]

Yep, you got it. instead of the machanical fan taking away power that could be used to turn the driveshaft, you now have an electrically driven fan that isn't always spinning.

[Red rado]

Where did you get the fans? What is approx. cost? Can you tell any difference in the performance? Is the cooling capabilities better or the same with the electric fans? Sorry for all the questions, but this looks interesting.

[Atreyu]

do you have the fan part # from flex-a-lite? i workd for CSk and i can order the fans at 40% discount if anyone wants one. i am going to do this myself. i hope the results are substantial, or at least my motor runs cooler. i am in arizona and you can never have too much cooling.

[agreif]

Where did you get the fans? What is approx. cost? Can you tell any difference in the performance? Is the cooling capabilities better or the same with the electric fans? Sorry for all the questions, but this looks interesting.

1) I got em from an ebay seller

2) you can usually get them for around 90-150 depending on the person you get them from and then another 30-60 depending on what controller you get.

3) The biggest difference you will see is around town in warm weather, that would be when your fan would normally be engaged, I know people have gotten dynos before and after and seen anywhere from 10-24 HP increase.

4) A lot of people run them on their trucks and I haven't heard of any problems with cool yet, but you may want to investigate further for peace of mind.


do you have the fan part # from flex-a-lite?

No I don't, I only ordered the flex-a-lite controller and I got that from truckperformance.com

Andrew

[92Z71]

Can this be done on an older truck, say a 92 K?

[SloNlo350]

I have heard that it could, but I cant find where i saw that. I wanna do the same thing om my 95.

[agreif]

I know you can do it on a 95, it's been done before.

[LS6TT]

if its done on a 95 doesnt that mean it can be done on a 92 as well? im curious cause i want to do this same thing

[c5truck]

really nice install. I purchased the Flexalite kit for 400 bucks. what i like the most is the increased HP gained. at least 10-15 easliy.

[Alwhite95]

Ran an adjustable thermostat and another relay to kick the fans on with the AC. never any overheating problems and I believe that you can actually feel the difference.

LK

[Germanator]

if you buy the dual flexalite kit do you still need a bigger alternator? Im debating of adding some e-fans by flexalite if my truck wont sell by summer, then I just keep it and might add the fans. I been dabating that ever since...

[rat]

put doul e-fans on my 86 picked up a few mpg and a little more power to push snow , didnt have to get a bigger alt. when i plow i run heater full blast,headlights,light on roof,radio,and both fans and the volt guage doesnt drop below 12.5 volts,much quieter on the road to now i hear everything

[tpichevy]

i put in some ls1 fans from a 2002 ss camaro on my 92 truck when i swaped the 4.3 for a built 5.7 tpi from a 91 z28, the fans work perfect, i kept the stock fan shroud and all, i run to cold right now, i need to chenge stat.

[farmerdave93]

I'm thinking of doing this mod because my gas mileage is sucky on my brand new 05 X-cab 4.3L V6. Plus it's a little underpowered... I know, I know, why didn't I get the V8? :think: Maybe I'm overreacting, since I've only filled up twice, but I'm averageing 15mpg, mostly highway. Pretty sorry for a new vehicle if you ask me. I have yet to play with tire pressures though.

Thanks for the info!

Anyway, what thermostat should I run if I do this mod?

[farmerdave93]

I'm thinking of doing this mod because my gas mileage is sucky on my brand new 05 X-cab 4.3L V6. Plus it's a little underpowered... I know, I know, why didn't I get the V8? :think: Maybe I'm overreacting, since I've only filled up twice, but I'm averageing 15mpg, mostly highway. Pretty sorry for a new vehicle if you ask me. I have yet to play with tire pressures though.

Thanks for the info!

Anyway, what thermostat should I run if I do this mod?
HAH! I was under the hood of my truck... and I didn't notice till today that I've already got dual electric fans! Guess I'll be looking for another fuel saving mod.

[red02chevy]

nice mod i had the flex-a-lite fans on my old 89 ( now theyre for sale on ebay) and it helped out a lot since i had a body lift

[SloNlo350]

Yeah, i have long since done the fans. This is an old freakin' thread too. I got some LT1 fans and it keeps my ZZ4 below 180 no matter what (95 degree weather in traffic no problem). I dont have a thermostat on the fan though, it is just always on.

[OKLAGMCRUISER]

Great write up. It has given me peace of mind before doing mine.


FYI...Call Tom Thompson with AMP Performance for used LS1 fan assemblies @ 1-800-454-8387. He currently has around 20 assemblies at aprox 75 each plus around 20 for shipping.

Pat

[OKLAGMCRUISER]

I posted this in another thread, but thought this info would be helpful in this tech article, as well, for those using a harness for their pcm...atleast you know what it will likely look like before ordering it.



Here are pics of the harness and manual that Bryan Herter with PCMFORLESS provided me. The only thing that I lack to install these are the pigtails to the ls1 fans. I did find from a thread on ls1tech a few guys that bought the pigtails from waytekwire.com p/n 46047...3 piece minimum, but I think Tom at AMP performance is gonna hook me up with a couple.

The manula that Bryan provided has many color pics and easy instructions to follow to hook up his harness. I'll let you know how easy it was once I get it installed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/oklagmcruiser/DSC06896.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/oklagmcruiser/DSC06895.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/oklagmcruiser/DSC06894.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/oklagmcruiser/DSC06893.jpg

[Colby 04]

...The only thing that I lack to install these are the pigtails to the ls1 fans. I did find from a thread on ls1tech a few guys that bought the pigtails from waytekwire.com p/n 46047...3 piece minimum...

http://order.waytekwire.com/IMAGES/M37/items/46033FL.GIF

that looks like it may work:think:

Price is only ~$2.20 a piece, total of ~$7 to meet the minimum order, not bad.

[OzzHead]

Im bidding on some ls1 fans on ebay, but what exactly do i need to buy from truckprefornace to get it to work without going in my pcm? I think this http://www.truckperformance.com/products/searchtype_1235d/sortorder_ADAA/productcategory_Electric+Fan+Accessories/category_Cooling+~~+Fans/mode_change/sf4_Universal+Fan+Accessories/partnumber_FLX31165/ But there are like 3 other things they sell from felxalite

[03Denali]

Okalgmcruiser? Pryor to your install did you have a factory PCM? Or an aftermarket? I am looking to install some e-fans from an 05 truck and looking for the cleanest looking install for the wiring end of the deal! I have an 03 Denali, any help would be appreciated. Thnak you, 03 Denali

[03Denali]

Was looking to install some e-fans from an 05 truck into my 03 Denali and the wiring you spoke of does it connect the factory PCM or Aftermarket? Thank you , 03 Denali

[1500HD6.0l]

2005 wiring harness part number #15216042 stock fan harness for 2005 34" radiator fans , will work with any fuse box that looks like the 05 fuse boxes . Snaps in under the fuse box cover to the right of the fuse pod already there .:)o

[silverad0boy19]

ive got an imperial 16 inch electric unit on my 90' silverado with a 160 thermo, i run 160 on the street and 175 in stop and go, i dont have a thermostat switch. i hooked up a toggle instead, power at my finger tips, muah. i know 160 may seem a bit cool, but hell, cooler engine=longer life for your bearings and other vital parts, however short life for gasoline. but hell who cares in the times of $2.91 a gallon, i know i dont, muahhaha

[99kon]

The link does not work for me any more!!!!!!!!
really need it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




HEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLP

[agreif]

I think the server is down. Shoot me an email if you have questions.

Andrew

[BobbyMartin32]

Can you put it up on a different server?......or email it out? I need it too. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[04SilveradoMykk]

ls1 fans are on my "to do" list, I'll probably tackle this project mid January (I get some free time than) thanks for all the great info, hopefully getting rid of the mechanical fan along with the underdrive pulley will open up some otherwise misguided ponies. :D

one question however, what is holding the pulley on to the waterpump hub without those four bolts or the threaded nut on the fan clutch?

[Silverad04]

what kind of performance should i expect out of efans over the manual clutch?

[99kon]

What i like the most about it is the reduction in noise!!!!
You wont pushed back into your seatif you do this but your truck will run cooler and more efficient you will probably notice a small gain in fuel mileage. I did it to mine becaause I like the way it cleans up the engine bay. Less cluter.

[WhiteBrow24]

I really want to do this to my truck. Doing this tho, will it help warm it up in the winter a little faster without the fan running all the time? I plan on hooking it up to a togle switch on my dash so I can turn it on when I please.

[orange ss]

made my own shroud and used LT1 fans, it aint show quality but it works

http://members.cox.net/orangess/1211061355.jpg


http://members.cox.net/orangess/1211061344.jpg


http://members.cox.net/orangess/1211061354.jpg

[04SilveradoMykk]

I found this about converting over to electric fans. He is directing the site to RX7 guys but he still had some valid points. I dont agree with everything he said, but I do agree with some of it. I'm still doing the ls1 fans on my truck though

http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/efanmyth.htm

[99kon]

I found this about converting over to electric fans. He is directing the site to RX7 guys but he still had some valid points. I dont agree with everything he said, but I do agree with some of it. I'm still doing the ls1 fans on my truck though

http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/efanmyth.htm

Damn we have an engineer in our hands(who ever wrote that article)!
What it comes down to, is most of us run 1/4 or 1/8 mile at the strip. If you turn off your fans for that period of it will help not having to turn that clutch and fan. Also with our trucks the fan pulls air threw the AC condensor as well, if you have been stuck in traffic in 100 deg weather like we have here in Houston, the AC does not work to good. After the e fan install my AC works alot better in stop and go traffic! Alot more air moves threw condensor and radiator.


Thats my 2 cents

[04SilveradoMykk]

I just added my E-fans today. I ordered the flex-a-lite kit part # flx-292 from summitracing.com I dont have it wired up yet, I'll do that first thing in the morning. The kit was complete! it came with the fans in a shroud. The brackets to bolt into the factory shroud locations. The controller, a huge maxi-fuse holder and plenty of wireing & connectors. It looks professional and I love how it cleaned up the engine compartment.

[99kon]

That must of cost you a pretty penny!
I ordered the flexalite controler for my LS1 fans. I have them on a switch right now, which im not to crazy about. I rather let technology work for me.:LOL:

[04SilveradoMykk]

yea, the kit was costly. But you get what you pay for. I finsihed the wiring and the fans work great! it's amazing, most of the time the fans aren't even running. They only click on when I've been idling at a light for a while.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e227/mykk/ls1fans1.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e227/mykk/ls1fans2.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e227/mykk/ls1fans3.jpg
there is so much room in front of the engine I can stand in the compartment... a little easier to change a cap & rotor now.

[azcatfan]

Thought I'd throw some pics in here. I helped my buddy next door do a set on his TBSS. It went very smooth and looks prefessional....

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/Trucks/DSCN1222.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/Trucks/DSCN1223.jpg

The stock fan really didn't look like it covered the radiator as well as the new e-fans were going to. Part of the stock fan stuck up above the radiator, and the rest of the surface area of the radiator was covered by the hood.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/Trucks/DSCN1224.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/Trucks/DSCN1225.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/Trucks/DSCN1226.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/Trucks/DSCN1227.jpg

We used a simple 'C' clamp to break the clutch fan loose...

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/Trucks/DSCN1229.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/Trucks/DSCN1230.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/Trucks/DSCN1231.jpg

[azcatfan]

Lots of room with that clutch fan out...

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/Trucks/DSCN1232.jpg

Test fitting...

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/Trucks/DSCN1233.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/Trucks/DSCN1234.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/Trucks/DSCN1235.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/Trucks/DSCN1236.jpg

All Done Up...
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/Trucks/DSCN1237.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/Trucks/DSCN1238.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/azcatfan/Trucks/DSCN1239.jpg

[WhiteBrow24]

looks good, i gotta do that to mine.