Thermo fans? Ebay special or big brand name?

[ausyota]

I need a thermo fan for my rear mount Radiator setup I am building into my Lux.
Should I go with a big brand name like Davies-craig for around $200 or will a cheapie from Ebay do the same job?
There are stacks of fans on fleabay for around $40-50
is it a case of you get what you paid for or are the cheapies OK?
I would love a twin thermo setup like the Falcons have but they wont fit up to squarer shape of the Lux rad that I am planning on using easilly.
Cheers Paul.

[Kitika]

How big is a hilux radiator compared to an 80 series one? My VY Ls1 radiator is exactly the same size as my radiator. Most modern cars have thermo's you could have a look at what sizes they have close to the hiluxs radiator at the wreckers.

[bru21]

I would not use davis craig or ebay.

get good OEM ones they are cheap and haul arse.

[WICKED]

AU Twin Thermos in shroud are cheap and AWESOME!!!

[bogged]

I would love a twin thermo setup like the Falcons have but they wont fit up to squarer shape of the Lux rad that I am planning on using easilly..

fairly sure he said the Falcon ones wont fit up...
or did I read it wrong?

[MightyMouse]

Wouldn't cut corners with cooling..... There are good quality aftermarket that move lots of air ( SPAl ) and many of the OE systems are well designed.

[chimpboy]

Biggest OEM single fan you can fit. BMW, benz etc can be good sources.

[CJ Burns Esq]

Go for second hand OEM or even source the OEM stuff new.
Seen flea bay ones give up the ghost and a mate had a brand name aftermarket jobby let go and hole his radiator in a remote location.
Nothing wrong with the fitting of the fan either, defect in the fan itself.

[jessie928]

I need a thermo fan for my rear mount Radiator setup I am building into my Lux.
Should I go with a big brand name like Davies-craig for around $200 or will a cheapie from Ebay do the same job?
There are stacks of fans on fleabay for around $40-50
is it a case of you get what you paid for or are the cheapies OK?
I would love a twin thermo setup like the Falcons have but they wont fit up to squarer shape of the Lux rad that I am planning on using easilly.
Cheers Paul.

a ford or holden factory fitted twin fan system with integrated shroud is your best bet, you may beable to get something that is narrower.

a single or double aftermarket fan fitted directly to the fins is not as efficient because it does not drag air through the entire radiator, BUT, you can make a shroud and mount the fan to it, that would work. I woudl then use davis craig or OEM fans of the same type not cheap crap.

JEs

[chimpboy]

You definitely want a shroud for a rear mount rad, yeah. Single or double, it's basically a question of the biggest fan you can fit. But if you have a squarish sort of radiator then one big fan is almost certainly going to do the better job.

How are you planning to control it?

[ausyota]

You definitely want a shroud for a rear mount rad, yeah. Single or double, it's basically a question of the biggest fan you can fit. But if you have a squarish sort of radiator then one big fan is almost certainly going to do the better job.

How are you planning to control it?

Just a toggle switch

[TRobbo]

Ford and holden spend bucket loads of R&D money on systems. If your going for a custom set up already then why not use a complete falcon or commo radiator, fan and shrowd set up in the rear? You will then know the system will work as well as being easily replaceable.

[chimpboy]

You definitely want a shroud for a rear mount rad, yeah. Single or double, it's basically a question of the biggest fan you can fit. But if you have a squarish sort of radiator then one big fan is almost certainly going to do the better job.

How are you planning to control it?

Just a toggle switch

I object to that! For twenty bucks you can control it much better and it will last longer too. You don't need a pricey adjustable temperature switch, just get a fixed-temp switch to suit your running temp eg: http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic147839.php

They are not expensive. You could get a two-speed one as well, I pinched a big resistor from some euro car (I think it was an Audi) at a pick-a-part to run my 16" fan at half speed when the a/c is on or when the fan is needed but it's not THAT hot yet. It's not just for wank factor, it is safer, the fan lasts longer, and you don't have to watch your temp gauge all the time. And, half speed is much much quieter.

Ford and holden spend bucket loads of R&D money on systems. If your going for a custom set up already then why not use a complete falcon or commo radiator, fan and shrowd set up in the rear? You will then know the system will work as well as being easily replaceable.

I agree with this if you can physically fit one of them. Not just ford or holden either but anything with a 100% electric cooling system (ie no mechanical fan) and a reasonably powerful engine would do. If you're lucky you might find a complete setup that already has the right hose sizes etc. For some reason (maybe my imagination) some of the euro cars have really grunty electric fans.

[hj 45]

What's so bad about Davies Craig stuff? Curious to know as I'm eyeing off a 16 inch thermo and electric water pump.

[awill4x4]

Spal fans.
They're not cheap but they work. My mate Darren at Trikfab modifies the ones below for some very powerful V8 cars. He fits the largest fan motors they build and skewed blades.
The beauty of these ones is in the shroud which incorporate rubber flaps that open with the air pressure of the car as it moves forward and then close when the fans come on making sure all the air is directed through rather than around the radiator and fans.
Regards Andrew.

[ausyota]

Does anyone have the measurements of the Falcon twin thermo setup?

I know idealy it would be best to have the falcon radiator with the thermos but I really want the radiator to have a cap on it to help with filling it in the rear and so I dont have to d1ck around with pressurised overflow bottles.
Plus I have a brand new Hilux rad that came with my motor.
If the Falcon thermos come close to fitting I will just adapt them and run that.
Coventrys have brand new genuine falcon twin thermos on sale for $190+gst (I think from memory) this month.

[troopy94]

Im running a radiator from a 2.6 magna in the rear of my zook and it has no problem keeping the v6 cool

[pongo]

Does anyone have the measurements of the Falcon twin thermo setup?

I know idealy it would be best to have the falcon radiator with the thermos but I really want the radiator to have a cap on it to help with filling it in the rear and so I dont have to d1ck around with pressurised overflow bottles.
Plus I have a brand new Hilux rad that came with my motor.
If the Falcon thermos come close to fitting I will just adapt them and run that.
Coventrys have brand new genuine falcon twin thermos on sale for $190+gst (I think from memory) this month.

not sure but they are a perfect fit on MQ patrol radiators

[PJ.zook]

As mentioned, Spal is a great brand, Davies Craig i have never used but have heard of many failing, wether thats true or not i cant say.
Ive got a cheap ebay special 16" fan on my zook that i just bolted to the back of the stock radiator, no shrouds or anything, seems to peform very well. The zooks do have an advantage though of a really small light stock mechanical fan, so if the thermofan fails, just unbolt, then bolt on the stock fan to the front of the waterpump.