I bought a rpc electric fan a while ago and was wondering if anybody had used one or heard if they were good or bad? I was going to install one on a mustang tomorrow and just wanted some info before i did so.

 

Never heard of RPC before, but you need to be concerned on how much air that the fan moves. I like close to 3,000 CFM for a V-8, but I would make sure the fan moves at least 1,500 cfm.

 

ive heard bad things about electric fans. i guess its a personal opinion.

 

Electric fans are great, if you have no choice...

 

they are also a great choice of you dont buy a junk one

 

MY argument against electric fans

I just don't like them when a perfectly good fan drive is already available on the front of the water pump.

A lot of the fans come with the through the radiator heat probe/relay, but I think they are cheesy so I don't use em. (better controllers are available for about another $100, but it is cheaper to use the relay and thermal switch method mentioned below)

Wiring and mounting an electric fan RIGHT is a pain in the ***. IMO to do it right a temp sensor switch has to be installed in the engine, (add $15 to $25), a relay must be used (add about another $10) if the car has A/C add another circuit and another relay, (another $10), and if the car still has the 55 amp or less alternator you will need to spring for a 100 amp unit, (add another $100).

And then... are you going to install the fan with those through the radiator zip tie things? First time I used these (when I was a kid) I got an instant water leak, so I don't use em, that means I have to make a bracket to mount the fan.

It just seems like a lot of **** to go through, and a lot of money spent, to end up with a fan that moves less air and is less dependable than a good old oem style clutch fan...

I used to be into gadgetry enough that at one point I liked the idea of electric fans, I have kind of grown out of that. I can see where they have their place, like racing, or when one is used by an OEM that is trying to drag that last tenth of a MPG to meet the government CAFE standard, and certainly in a car where the engine is installed the wrong way, (that would be sideways)....

I think they CAN work ok, but for me the bottom line is WHY use one unless you don't have a choice? (Incidentally, a clutch fan can fit in a space where the thinnest electrics suitable for a V-8 WILL NOT FIT.)

 

Never heard of RPC, I use Derale (sp?) on my racecars.

Try to install as a puller vs a pusher. As a puller it doesn't block the flow to the radiator which is a big deal. I use a waterneck mounted sensor, the ones that are stuck through the fins don't work so great. I also have the relay set so I can turn it on from the dash or it will come on @ about 200 normally. For a street car I'd set that lower. My racecars run 32lb caps.

Make sure the radiator is right. If its old, stopped up, bent fins, etc then any fan is fighting an uphill battle.

 

JMD I dont have AC so I cant comment there but I just stuck the thermal probe under return line in the fins of the radiator set the fan to come on at the desired temperature and went about my business. I placed all the wires in a pre-existing wire loom that runs along the left fender inside the engine bay. Maybe I'm not as concerned about looks as you. I see how it would totally suck if you didnt want to see the capillary wire and didnt want excess wires running in the engine bay. I considered it a clean install and the thermal probe may not be accurate but it is precise as hell and always comes on right where I last set the desired "on" temperature.

-GUn

 

Oh great...here we go again with the debate.

To anwser the question, I have heard of them and it should be just fine. Throw it in and like with any new fan keep am eye on the temo until your comfortable with it.

 

Ahh but its such wonderful debate material...