"Go-to" electric fan?

[Panici]

Hey guys,

Starting to have temp creep issues in my '87 when stopped. Going to test my mechanical fan tomorrow.

If the mechanical fan is indeed at fault, I want to replace it with an electric model. Looking for something that will work with the M20 and my planned (eventual) M52b28 swap.

Is there a "go-to" fan that is popular with the stock rad?
It's an Automatic trans rad if that makes a difference.

Cheers!

[roguetoaster]

Spal fans seem fairly popular. However, if your car is a street car I'd consider replacing the fan clutch as is will be less expensive, works quite well (even if it eats a small amount of power), and does not require any additional wiring or other work to function.

[Reichart12]

Im using the Spal 16" from CaTuned. I have it in place of the AC fan since I tossed that system. With a new M42 radiator, in place of the old early style system, I have seen operating temps lower than before. But sometimes my gauge is jumpy although I cant say if its super accurate.

[Panici]

Spal fans seem fairly popular. However, if your car is a street car I'd consider replacing the fan clutch as is will be less expensive, works quite well (even if it eats a small amount of power), and does not require any additional wiring or other work to function.

To me, it doesn't make sense to replace the fan clutch when I'll need to go with an electric fan anyways when I swap to an M52.
Wiring is easy stuff for me.

Ideally I'd like a fan that will work with various rad options for the E30.

Im using the Spal 16" from CaTuned. I have it in place of the AC fan since I tossed that system. With a new M42 radiator, in place of the old early style system, I have seen operating temps lower than before. But sometimes my gauge is jumpy although I cant say if its super accurate.

I'll look into that one, thank you.

I've got a VDO Vision Black water temperature gauge in addition to the factory gauge, so I'll be able to tell how well my solution is working.


EDIT:
Ordered a Spal 30101517 to use as a pusher in front of my rad.

Here are a few links for my reference when install time comes:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=244396

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=2504401&postcount=57

[spike68]

Im using the Spal 16" from CaTuned. I have it in place of the AC fan since I tossed that system. With a new M42 radiator, in place of the old early style system, I have seen operating temps lower than before. But sometimes my gauge is jumpy although I cant say if its super accurate.

Do you mean you mounted in front of the radiator to push? Elaborate please?

[Reichart12]

Yes. It is on the front of the radiator as a pusher. It is in the stock location the AC fan was at.

[AndrewBird]

An e30 has a more than adequate cooling system to stay cool even without a fan. Many people run no fan at all without issues. You likely have another problem, maybe a bad thermostat or air in the system somewhere from a leak.

[Panici]

An e30 has a more than adequate cooling system to stay cool even without a fan. Many people run no fan at all without issues. You likely have another problem, maybe a bad thermostat or air in the system somewhere from a leak.

My E30 stays perfectly cool when moving, even on hot days. (Below 180F on my VDO water temp gauge.)
The trouble comes when in stop-and-go traffic. Clutch fan is to blame.

The 16" Spal 30101517 I ordered is the same price, if not a little cheaper, then a new Sachs fan clutch.

Some bonuses: It should make the front of the motor easier to work on, get rid of the parasitic loss of the mech fan, and work with my eventual M52 swap.

[spike68]

Yes. It is on the front of the radiator as a pusher. It is in the stock location the AC fan was at.

Interesting. Never heard of that one. Did you do that to make space in the engine bay? Any other advantages?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk

[Reichart12]

Its pressed against the radiator on the front side so might not be the exact location of the AC fan. I switched to a M42 radiator at the same time. My dimensions were slightly off so shifting the radiator to have the drain plug clear the power steering pump pulley knob caused problems with the clutch fan clipping the opposite side of the radiator.

No real advantages besides slightly more room in front for no reason.

[AndrewBird]

My E30 stays perfectly cool when moving, even on hot days. (Below 180F on my VDO water temp gauge.)
The trouble comes when in stop-and-go traffic. Clutch fan is to blame.

The 16" Spal 30101517 I ordered is the same price, if not a little cheaper, then a new Sachs fan clutch.

Some bonuses: It should make the front of the motor easier to work on, get rid of the parasitic loss of the mech fan, and work with my eventual M52 swap.

You are't understanding what I'm saying. Even in traffic, with NO FAN, it shouldn't get hot.