ccdguy

Hey guys... I'm debating upgrading my 65 amp alternator to a 95 or higher, and at the same time, I was thinking of dumping the clutch cooling fan setup and going electric. My question, is.. Is it really worth any HP as a mod on our 5.0s? I have read many posts, and magazine reviews, and the answer seems to vary. Some say it is only worth about 2-4 wheel HP. Some claim more like 15-17HP... Has anyone ever read or done any real time dyno time before and after? My current stock setup works very well. Car never overheats and right where it should be, temperature wise... So, why go with electric cooling fan setup? How much power can that stock clutch fan setup really drain? Just curious...

67mustang302

It's going to depend a lot on how many amps the fan draws under a load. In a setup with good air flow through an efficient radiator, the fan may never come on when operating at full power(say on a road course, or down the strip without the fan running from idling for a long time). In something with a fan that pulls a crapload of amps with a poor radiator, if the fan is on often, it could be robbing a ton of power.

In reality for most setups, it's not going to be worth much in terms of performance unless you road race, or have a really heavy fan. It does save on mileage a tad though, which is why(along with compactness) they're standard in all production cars now.

ccdguy

Gotcha.... In my case, the radiator is stock, but works with absolutely no problems, the clutch and cooling fan are brand new, no issues with cooling. Mostly stock 302, with a new 65 amp stock alternator installed. The fan I was looking at was pulling 3000cfm and when running under load would draw 18amps. I drive the car mostly on the highway or roadways over 40mph pretty much all the time... I guess, that in my case, I should just stick with my factory setup... Right?

PS. Thanks for the imput !!

projectresto83

Its not that it gives you power, it frees up the rotating mass that your accessories have so that your engine spins easier

Gator

Here are some real world numbers, not dyno bs.
went to the track and ran a best of 11.84 at 89.59 mph,------------------------------------- THE TRACK I RUN AT IS ONLY 1000ft----------------

Installed an electric fan, and BUMPED the timing up from 10 to 14 deg., went back to the track 1 month later and ran a best of 11.52 at 90.78 mph

1/8th times and speeds before and after were:
9.30 at 78.19 mph to a 9.03 at 79.60 mph

projectresto83

Your "test" is nice but doesn't exactly give real world numbers entirely.
1. bumping the timing gives significant gains
2. 1 month in between runs leaves for ALOT of variables

But anyway again yes it does help!

Another thing.....your time and your speed don't seem very accurate to each other, even running at 1000ft. pic of slips???

67mustang302

It'll probably help a tad with mileage. Clutches for fans don't completely disengage...they slip at something like 40-60% engagement depending on design. But keep in mind, when an e-fan comes on, engine load increases as the alternator field strength goes up to produce the needed amperage. You only gain(slightly) with an e-fan in instances where the fan is not needed and off.

Gator

Heres the requested slip, im in right lane.

projectresto83

Ahhh, so you only run to the 1000ft mark. That explains it. You still have another 320 ft to go.....