electric fan

[dcruz]

Has some one installed an electric fan on their 280z? I'm going to be replacing all of the ac components this summer on my 280z and was also wanting to replace the fan because I beleive that my clutch fan is going out and I would like to upgrade it to an electric fan. If some one here has done this before could you guide me thrue the process? Thanks

[5thhorsemann]

I'm not trying to steer you away from an electric fan, if you go that way buy the best fan and controlls that money can buy. I say this because I have to put a new head on my Toyota because the fan quit working which lead to a blown head gasket and a severly warped head. So whichever way you go, buy the best and rest easy.

[dcruz]

Yes, i'm doing some search, I have seen some kits that they sell that comes with a relay just don't know how it is run or where its run. Thanks

[LeonV]

IMO, installing e-fans is not an "upgrade". It adds complexity (need new dedicated electric circuit), puts more strain on your charging system, and may not even cool as well, depending on setup. The stock clutch fan works great and servicing/replacement is much easier and cheaper than putting in e-fans.

If you feel the need to do it, there are multitudes of guides available online. If you search that is...

[dcruz]

Leon, i'm searching and every where I have searched has said the same thing you have, and also what fifthhorsemann said is scarring me from trying an electric fan. The reason i'm trying to replace it is because my ac cools when i'm driving but when i come to a stop it doesn't cool as much, i was thinking that if I could more air to the condensor the problem should go away, but now im looking at changing the condensor and changing out the fan clutch. Thanks

[tlorber]

Do you have a shroud around the fan? This ensures that air is being pulled through the radiator rather than from around it.

[5thhorsemann]

You could install a second fan in addition to the stock fan and power it off the AC compressor circuit via a relay, that way you don't compromise the cooling system.

[ZCurves]

I have upgraded my AC and I would suggest that you just replace the fan clutch. I did add an electric fan in front of the condenser that only comes on when the AC is on, I did this to alleviate the additional compressor head pressure since I am using R134 AND because I live in Houston, Tx -which is akin to Hell in the summertime. The more air that you can move across the condenser the cooler you'll be and the easier it will be on your equipment.

Now if you are hell bent on going all electric, follow 5thhorsemann's advice and don't scrimp. You might also consider an electric water pump -just an idea.

[dcruz]

Zcurves, what else did you upgrade to be able to us R134?

[ZCurves]

Well, I replaced the Condenser, Evaporator, Expansion Valve and Compressor - so everything. New evaporators will require a expansion valve. The expansion valve is the key with R134. If I was going to do this all over again, I would eliminate the expansion valve and have a custom high pressure hard line made to accept a modern Orifice Tube right at the firewall where the screen filter you asked about earlier is located. An Orifice Tube works well with R134 and is what modern AC systems use. Orifice Tubes are easy to get and pretty efficient. However, nothing quite beats a good old fashioned expansion valve.

Note that R134 has a higher head pressure on the compressor than R12, that is why I added an electric fan in front of the condenser. You WILL notice much better AC performance with an electric fan.