S50 fan situation

[CincinnatiKid]

So I'm in a unique situation here and am looking for some options. I bought a turn-key S50 swap, the clutch fan went out, so I bought the spal kit to swap in. Got into it today, pulled the clutch fan/radiator and tried to install the spal fan, but it won't fit, not enough clearance for the fan to fit. I don't want to remove the aux fan as I still have and use the a/c radiator and the stock aux mounts aren't easily adaptable as far as I can tell. It's a fairly new M20 radiator and is in good condition, there's about 1.5-1.75" clearance between the radiator and the nub that replaces clutch fan threads. So I'm asking you guys what other options I have?

[87e30]

Not familiar with the spal but I don't see why you can't just get another m20 clutch fan and throw that in...?

[kalib0y]

I use a 16in 3800cfm pusher with a 10in 1200cfm puller and I am still running AC on my s50 set up

Most people on here just use the low profile 1" tall spal fan and say it works fine for them.

[kermugit]

Okay, So I hear everybody running their spal 16"x 2.05 low pro fan and other combos for their swap. Well I wanted a/c so I can tell you that having a 14" pusher (2200cfm) and a 16" spal puller will not hold up if you get stuck in gridlock on a hot day with your A/C on. electric fans are good if you are not running a/c on your ride. If you are like me and drive your car 500+ miles in a week I can tell you that electric fans on this swap while running a/c will not work well. I want to put his to rest and tell you if you want a/c dont waste your time running electric puller. I fit the mechanical fan back in and have had the best results running my a/c in grid lock (45 mins) in 100+ days. some moding will have to be done to the top lip of the rad, but it is not a big price to pay for cooling your car and running your a/c. I no longer worry about watching my temps climb in traffic. Hope this helps. Nothing beats a mechanical fan in this setup. I drive this car 200 miles round trip twice a week, so I made sure it was able to handle some milage. P.S. I did have to mod the electric pusher fan in front of the condensor, but if you can do your swap this is the easy part.

[bimmerteck]

Okay, So I hear everybody running their spal 16"x 2.05 low pro fan and other combos for their swap. Well I wanted a/c so I can tell you that having a 14" pusher (2200cfm) and a 16" spal puller will not hold up if you get stuck in gridlock on a hot day with your A/C on. electric fans are good if you are not running a/c on your ride. If you are like me and drive your car 500+ miles in a week I can tell you that electric fans on this swap while running a/c will not work well. I want to put his to rest and tell you if you want a/c dont waste your time running electric puller. I fit the mechanical fan back in and have had the best results running my a/c in grid lock (45 mins) in 100+ days. some moding will have to be done to the top lip of the rad, but it is not a big price to pay for cooling your car and running your a/c. I no longer worry about watching my temps climb in traffic. Hope this helps. Nothing beats a mechanical fan in this setup. I drive this car 200 miles round trip twice a week, so I made sure it was able to handle some milage. P.S. I did have to mod the electric pusher fan in front of the condensor, but if you can do your swap this is the easy part.

What Thermostat/switch combo were you running? What temps were you seeing the coolant get up to while in traffic? Are you sure your water pump/thermostat is operating properly?

[dude8383]

I fit the mechanical fan back in and have had the best results running my a/c in grid lock (45 mins) in 100+ days.

Which clutch fan did you use?

[phreshkid]

I wish there was a clutch fan that could be used for the 318is radiators with the built in expansion tank.

[Matt-B]

I wish there was a clutch fan that could be used for the 318is radiators with the built in expansion tank.

i used a 16" puller on my m42 radiator, no issue

[phreshkid]

i used a 16" puller on my m42 radiator, no issue

Are you by chance running a/c as well?

[kermugit]

This is what I always see, other people saying " gee what temp you use, is your shit running right" Yes, I had a new pump and 80 c thermo! Dont worry about me I have had my shit looked over. So Im not pulling shit out of my ass. I can tell you this happens more often than people are willing to say. Are you running a/c? If so chime in if not kick rocks. 95% of the swaped e30 dont run a/c. I was trying to use the m42, but the amount of room in my opinion it was a no go. I did use my m20 clutch and fan with 88+ m20 rad. I had to trim the top lip alittle with a cutting wheel so I can sleep at night. This has been optional with other swaps I have seen in person. I drive my can 100 miles to L.A. than get stuck in hard L.A traffic around 3:30 to 4:45ish and then an extra 20 miles. So I can tell you what happans with your a/c blasting and traffic not moving. I tried putting 4 other fans and set ups and this worked the best. I have 7,000 miles with this set up and no issue. I did have some cups put on my trany cossmemeber so little to not forward movement in the motor when stoping.

[dude8383]

Good to know. I too have a/c but haven't experienced any issues with overheating...and I live in NYC ;)

I am a firm believer in the fact that the clutch fan's are MUCH better at keeping things cool. I might consider getting a clutch fan in the future though, because you never know...maybe I'll get stuck in some LA traffic lol

[phreshkid]

Good to know. I too have a/c but haven't experienced any issues with overheating...and I live in NYC ;)

I am a firm believer in the fact that the clutch fan's are MUCH better at keeping things cool. I might consider getting a clutch fan in the future though, because you never know...maybe I'll get stuck in some LA traffic lol

I too like this belief.

[Wanganstyle]

clutch fan is the best for traffic. all day long, locks up when its HOT and your engine needs it.

in the 2JZ world, the stock clutch fan is often seen @ the texas mile :)

clutch fan freewheels and does not drag when you are @ wangan speed. if your front end gets damaged and the fan is stuck, it will simply free spin on its fluid.


I've ran stock clutch fan without shroud on many cars without problems, AC+ traffic+crazy hills oh my.

[kalib0y]

I havent had any problems with my 16in 3600cfm FFD pusher in front of my condensor, 10in 12oocfm FFD puller, 75 degree thermostat, mishimoto rad, lower temp switch, on my S50 and I run the AC all day sitting on the 5fwy traffic and dont have any issues at all. Never goes past the half way mark....Im a happy camper with a full electric set up

[e30rapidic]

try a shroud