Viscous vs. Electric - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Diablo · 01-27-2003, 12:41 PM

Has anybody got rid of the viscous fan and put in 2 electric fans? I'm curious on how much it will effect the radiator.

I've been told that there won't be any extra advantages on the cooling the fans provide.. but I was just thinking that removing the viscous will leave a lot more room, which causes a bigger circulation and hence: colder engine.

I'm running a CA18DET, '91 200sx. Anyone know whether this upgrade is worth it? I'm really interested in cooling my engine and trying to get more air in, so any help will be really appreciated.
Thnx

misnomer · 01-27-2003, 12:58 PM

As I see it, there won't be a huge change in cooling. It makes the front of the motor more accessible, and will free up some power. You would need to compare the flow rates of the fans you intend to get.

Keep in mind your engine (at least the important part) isn't cooled as much by the air flowing around it as it is the oil and coolant flowing through it. If your modifications have made your engine require more cooling, upgrading your radiator would be your best bet.

240 2NR · 01-27-2003, 03:50 PM

The stock fan is actually engaged/disengaged with a clutch. Its a clutch fan (similar idea though to how a viscous sytem might work). The benefit of electric fans is they generally don't need to be on. Once you're rolling along the incoming air is more than sufficient to cool the radiator. However it is only once you stop that the fans *may* be needed. The trade off made with a clutch fan is they are almost always on at low speed (if the coolant is getting hot or not), even in winter. This can suck off some noticable power since it's driven directly off the engine and contributes to parasitic losses. Going to electric fans (installed properly and of nearly equal air flow) should provide no difference (or at least no negative) difference in cooling capabilities. If your system is showing signs of weakness, your best bet would be replacing the coolant mixture or upgrading the radiator.

Archangel · 01-28-2003, 01:21 AM

Someone installed an electric fan and did a write up on it. I wanna say it was chickenmanq, but im not sure. PM him if you're going to do it - he had a website with the write up but i can';t find the link anymore.

01-27-2003, 12:41 PM	#1
Diablo Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Africa Age: 40 Posts: 12 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Viscous vs. Electric Has anybody got rid of the viscous fan and put in 2 electric fans? I'm curious on how much it will effect the radiator. I've been told that there won't be any extra advantages on the cooling the fans provide.. but I was just thinking that removing the viscous will leave a lot more room, which causes a bigger circulation and hence: colder engine. I'm running a CA18DET, '91 200sx. Anyone know whether this upgrade is worth it? I'm really interested in cooling my engine and trying to get more air in, so any help will be really appreciated. Thnx

01-27-2003, 12:58 PM	#2
misnomer Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 2,293 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	As I see it, there won't be a huge change in cooling. It makes the front of the motor more accessible, and will free up some power. You would need to compare the flow rates of the fans you intend to get. Keep in mind your engine (at least the important part) isn't cooled as much by the air flowing around it as it is the oil and coolant flowing through it. If your modifications have made your engine require more cooling, upgrading your radiator would be your best bet. __________________ Rowsdower saves us and saves all the world!

01-27-2003, 03:50 PM	#3
240 2NR Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Denver Posts: 1,131 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The stock fan is actually engaged/disengaged with a clutch. Its a clutch fan (similar idea though to how a viscous sytem might work). The benefit of electric fans is they generally don't need to be on. Once you're rolling along the incoming air is more than sufficient to cool the radiator. However it is only once you stop that the fans may be needed. The trade off made with a clutch fan is they are almost always on at low speed (if the coolant is getting hot or not), even in winter. This can suck off some noticable power since it's driven directly off the engine and contributes to parasitic losses. Going to electric fans (installed properly and of nearly equal air flow) should provide no difference (or at least no negative) difference in cooling capabilities. If your system is showing signs of weakness, your best bet would be replacing the coolant mixture or upgrading the radiator. __________________ Steve 93 240sx FB currently very clean and for sale

01-28-2003, 01:21 AM	#4
Archangel Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 425 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Someone installed an electric fan and did a write up on it. I wanna say it was chickenmanq, but im not sure. PM him if you're going to do it - he had a website with the write up but i can';t find the link anymore. __________________ White 98 s14