I need to replace the radiator fan on my '92 Q and was wondering if there would be any benefits to installing a "performance" fan instead of the original OEM. After-market manufacturers, such as Flex-a-lite, claim performance increases of up to 15 horsepower for a V8 engine and better fuel efficiency.
Is there any truth to these claims? If not, wouldn't it still be better to have an aluminum fan instead of the plastic original which is more prone to cracking and braking?
"Performance" Cooling Fan for Q?
-
szh
- Posts: 15932
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 12:54 pm
- Car: 2018 Tesla Model 3.
Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO! - Location: San Jose, CA
Albeit without knowing the details, I would have to hazard a guess that the plastic fan is lighter than the Aluminum fan. Which means this "performance" fan probably does not increase horsepower by 15, it probably reduces it!
I simply do not see how changing the fan would increase horsepower by that much. The early Q was an engineering marvel - if the Infiniti engineers could have gotten that much increase by this simple a change, they would have done so on the original design for sure!
Z
I simply do not see how changing the fan would increase horsepower by that much. The early Q was an engineering marvel - if the Infiniti engineers could have gotten that much increase by this simple a change, they would have done so on the original design for sure!
Z
-
QuickSilver
- Posts: 144
- Joined: Tue Feb 11, 2003 10:25 am
Z,
Good point about the orginal engineering design. I think a couple of ounces of weight increase or decrease is not where the performance in supposily comes from, but I believe they claim it comes from better cooling.
I'm thinking that if the aftermarket fans are about the same price at about $60, are more durable(aluminum vs. plastic), add a little to the aethethics to the engine compartment(metal vs. white plastic), and give me the possibility of more efficient cooling, why not give it try?
Anyone know of any problems or drawbacks to installing a non-OEM fan? I know that it usually better to use OEM parts when possible, but is this the case in regards to the radiator fan?
Good point about the orginal engineering design. I think a couple of ounces of weight increase or decrease is not where the performance in supposily comes from, but I believe they claim it comes from better cooling.
I'm thinking that if the aftermarket fans are about the same price at about $60, are more durable(aluminum vs. plastic), add a little to the aethethics to the engine compartment(metal vs. white plastic), and give me the possibility of more efficient cooling, why not give it try?
Anyone know of any problems or drawbacks to installing a non-OEM fan? I know that it usually better to use OEM parts when possible, but is this the case in regards to the radiator fan?
-
szh
- Posts: 15932
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 12:54 pm
- Car: 2018 Tesla Model 3.
Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO! - Location: San Jose, CA
FWIW, my novice concerns would be quality of design (is it cast? Will it crack under rotational stress? Is plastic pliability better than having a rigid metal rotating that fast if it hits something?), true measured same or higher airflow at all rotational speeds, and the balance (for example, if it stressed the bearings by being off-balance, that could have long-term repercussions.)
But, hey, I am a novice when it comes to these things, so I hope others post too!
Z
But, hey, I am a novice when it comes to these things, so I hope others post too!
Z
-
QuickSilver
- Posts: 144
- Joined: Tue Feb 11, 2003 10:25 am
-
AZhitman
- Administrator
- Posts: 54541
- Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
- Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 Z32, 91 GTi-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14, 23 Z.
- Location: Surprise, Arizona
- Contact:
911/Q45 wrote:That means they use more power, not less. They only added power in older primitive engines that didn't have a clutch operated fan.
Partially true. The flexfan blades "flex" at higher RPM for less resistance and freer spinning... You eliminated the fan clutch, thereby saving some weight. The blades on the flexfan were designed to move more air at low speed, and flattened out a high RPM.
-
Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
Replace the foam surrounds and rubber seals that keep the radiator air tight.........doesn't let air sneek around the radiator and suck hot engine compartment air into front of radiator.
95% of rad replacements I see are not air tight so even a new oem rad doesn't perform as brand new. They come with a few foam strips which may not be installed or installed correctly with oem care. Aftermarkets usually skip this and other things.Weigh oem vs aftermarket rads designed to just last a few years at best.
Idle AC doesn't cool as well if the vacuum pulling thru the condender is not as designed.
A few degrees here and there and suddenly nothing is right.
Maintaining less than a 194.999F coolant is critical.
95% of rad replacements I see are not air tight so even a new oem rad doesn't perform as brand new. They come with a few foam strips which may not be installed or installed correctly with oem care. Aftermarkets usually skip this and other things.Weigh oem vs aftermarket rads designed to just last a few years at best.
Idle AC doesn't cool as well if the vacuum pulling thru the condender is not as designed.
A few degrees here and there and suddenly nothing is right.
Maintaining less than a 194.999F coolant is critical.
-
QuickSilver
- Posts: 144
- Joined: Tue Feb 11, 2003 10:25 am