Electric fan necessary?

[LTDScott]

We're stripping out our car to be a LeMons racer. We removed the entire A/C system including the condenser and the electric fan mounted to it. Will the clutch fan be enough to keep the car cool, or should we put the electric fan back on?

[-limp-]

well i dunno bout hardcore racer but my dd does just fine without it

[nando]

the aux fan is there in case the clutch fan dies and for running the A/C. as long as you make sure your fan clutch is working, you don't need the aux fan.

[Sean]

If you sit in traffic on a 110F day, you'll need something more. But, if you're always moving and/or not in a hot climate, you'll be fine.

[-limp-]

hmmmm actually today when i was sitting and idlin i was running a bit hot ouch maybe this aint such a hott idea

[ecniv]

Scott, I was wondering this myself. With the nature of the race, it might be worthwhile to buy a cheap Kragen/Autozone electric fan, and wire it to a toggle switch. Getting rid of the clutch fan would get rid of a possible point of failure, and also give us some "squish room" between the radiator and moving parts of the motor.

[LTDScott]

Well the car made the trip from San Jose to San Diego without an electric fan just fine, although the weather was pretty chilly. During the race, I think the only time I'd worry about it would be during yellow/red flags when the car will be going slow or stopped.

ecniv, we still have the original electric condenser fan we could use. If we were to convert to an electric fan, I'd try to find an OEM fan at the junkyard. My LTD is running a Lincoln Mark 8 fan and I can feel the air it pushes at the back of the car, heh.

[E30 Racer]

I remove the electric fan as part of the A/C removal process. I retained the viscous fan attached to the water pump. OE thermostats. No problems, even during competition on hot days.

[jlevie]

The aux fan's purpose is solely to provide additional airflow for the condenser & radiator when the A/C is on and the car is idling or moving very slowly. Since you've deleted the AC, you don't need the aux fan.

Since this will be an endurance racer, you probably won't even need the engine fan as the car shouldn't ever see extending idling or low speed operation. But it is a good thing to have and I personally would want to be sure that the clutch and fan are in perfect condition (likewise for the radiator, hoses, and water pump).

[The Barvarian]

stahl fan?

Scott, I was wondering this myself. With the nature of the race, it might be worthwhile to buy a cheap Kragen/Autozone electric fan, and wire it to a toggle switch. Getting rid of the clutch fan would get rid of a possible point of failure, and also give us some "squish room" between the radiator and moving parts of the motor.

Instead of Kragen or Autozone is there a stahl fan that will work?

[LTDScott]

For what its worth, we decided the engine fan is a little close to the radiator for comfort, knowing the car will definitely see some contact, so we removed it and bought a cheap 3000 CFM electric fan from eBay that we'll run as a pusher where the condenser used to be.

[The Barvarian]

This car will be a commuter once in a while so I would love to keep my AC. I would like a fan to be a puller on the engine side....

[MR 325]

My 85 [with 89 motor and cooling] has no A/C with a stock mechanical fan and shroud and it NEVER heats up.