permacool vs flexalite

[JT$240]

hey, got a question to all you sr swappers out there. i'm looking for some opinions and experiences with electric fans. now i was looking at the flexalite dual 12's (flx-230) they go for about $230.00, they come wit a adjustable thermostat and a nice plastic shroud that covers most of the radiator and they are rated at 2500 cfm. i was comparing them to a perma cool single 14 in fan (prm-19114) they go for about $80.00, they still need a wiring kit since they don't have an adjustable thermostat but you can get a kit for about $50 or so, so add that to the $80 and you have a total of $130. the single permacool 14inch fan is rated at 2950 cfm. now my question too all of you is which fan/fans is better to go with? i'm thinking of going with the permacool fan because it's the better bang for the buck, so if you guys could leave some feedback that woudl be great, thanks jeff

[extheflow]

i have the permacool. you don't need a wiring kit.you can use the existing circuit for the AC fan and just get a temperature switch to wire to that relay.

[rudee023]

I got the flex- a- lite duals without the switch and just run them off the ignition (always on) They are a perfect fit if you got a Koyo radiator. Some people say you have to trim them. I didn't and they look sweet and it feels like a damn wind storm! The "through core" mounting was an experience. Something a tad bit disconcerning about stabbinga screwdriver through your radiator:D

[180crafter]

I too have the Flex-a-Lite and am very happy. Always on, but just bought the FC and attempting to get an add on tht will let me program an output.

I also agree with rude, stabbing your screwdriver is very odd, especially if you have a bunch of friends yellling, "What the ***** r ru doig?!!"

[RobDET]

Yah i didn't want to mess up my radiator so i used a pontiac fierro electric fan. It fits the radiator very well and you can fab some nice backets out of aluminum. The fan has a nice deep shroud unlike all of the aftermarket electric ones. It also feels like a hurrican when it comes on.

I'm using a flex-a-lite electric fan controller from summit racing. It woks great. If you get a fan controller make sure it's the kind that has a copper probe. My first controller has a plastic probe that you just crammed in the radiator fins and it melted.

[JT$240]

well i'm hearing that both fans are good, but which one would be better to go with? single 14 or dual 12, the single 14 pushes more air and is less money. what to do?

[BoostFab]

dual 12 will be better, unless you're crittical on amperage usage.

[JT$240]

but the single 14 pushes more air, so how does that make the dual 12 better? what is so much better about the dual 12 if the single 14 pushes more air and is cheaper? why am i paying more for the dual 12 if it doesn't push as much air as the single 14? that's what i would like to find out

[nismostate]

I think you know the answer. Get the single one.

[Onizuka]

Im guessing the fact that the dual 12 inchers are cooling a larger area is a advantage. Nils (doesnt post anymore) used 2 14" permacool fans on a koyoradiator to deal with las vegas weather.

Stock fan works fine unless your having overheating problems.

[JT$240]

the larger surface does make a good point, i think that closed the case. thanks j spec, and i can't use the stock fan because i don't have the jdm shroud

[NY S13 SR]

We have many many SR's running on single 14" 2950 cfm fans. The larger surface area is good but the price sucks. Get 2 x 14" fans if you want to cover the whole rad, have one come on at a time. Then you have almost 6000 cfm. You can run AC while driving to work in reverse! 8>)

__________________Jeff HHeavy Throttle

[Onizuka]

Hey jeff, can you run 2 14inch permacools off the same adjustable thermostat?

Right now I have no fan :pface

[JT$240]

ya well i won't be running no ac in my car, no need for it if i'm driving fast enough without a windshield , but i think you would be able to run it off the same thermostat, just strip somewire. i heard 2 14inch fans wouldn't fit on a koyo rad?

[JT$240]

maybe this is what i should do, go wit one single 14 permacool fan and see if it does the job, i think it should and if i really need to go wit another fan i'll buy another 14. but the permacool 14inch fans don't have any kind of shroud? aren't they just the fan? is there any chance that the fan might break or fall of the radiator because it's just kind of hanging there? why don't they just make one brand of fans so you only have one choice on what to get!

[extheflow]

if you use the supplied mounting hardwere.then it won't fall off.and yes you can use 2fans on one temp switch.just use the 2 relays that are in your relay box(S14,i'm thinkin S13 are the same) and wire the switched wire from the switch to the hot side of both relay coils.they will both come one when the switch come on both fans will operate

[Cyberkreig]

Permacool is absolute garbage. I had one.. now i have FAL dual 12" & a new radiator (permacool vibrated a hole in my old radiators tubing)

[nismostate]

Damn, good to know that Cyberkreig. Im going to think twice before getting a aftermarkey fan! Fuk spending another 300 for a koyo!

[Cyberkreig]

I would never badmouth a product without due cause. I am sure many have had good results, but you couldnt give me another permacool ANYTHING.

[thes14project]

I got a 16" fan off ebay, it does the job very nicely as well. I got it for about $80

[extheflow]

Permacool is absolute garbage. I had one.. now i have FAL dual 12" & a new radiator (permacool vibrated a hole in my old radiators tubing)

sounds like improper installation. mine doesn't vibrate at all.

[JT$240]

haha, k this is a joke so don't trip out on me. but maybe he installed them right and they just broke because he drives to fast. he does have an sr so maybe since your still running the ka is why permacool is still workin. i think i'll go wit the nicer looking FAL now, thanks cyberkreig

[Onizuka]

Weather a fan vibrates or not has nothing to do with speed or what engine is in the car.

[matt4pl]

the stock electric fan comes one when the rad gets too hot, so im pretty sure you can wire the electric fans to that plus. im getting me some altima fans and wiring those up that way

[Onizuka]

I think the stock electric fan only comes on when you turn the AC on.

[JT$240]

it was a joke about it vibrating and stuff

[matt4pl]

nope, the stock electric fan comes on when your engein gets hot too. with the absence of the stock mechanical fan, the electric one goes on cause it needs to supplement the mechanical one, and also when it gets hot. it has two speeds, so yea. im pretty sure my car hasn't been modded in that wiring so yea

[Dori Dori]

Perma-cool has a one year warrenty and Heavy throttle will take care of any problems you have with it (if you have any problems).

[man2199]

I had the Permacool fan. It works just fine. If your on a budget its the fan to get. I presently have the dual FAL and there is no comparison. The FAL is a much better fan. The FAL fan will cool the car off quicker. The CFM rating for the Permacool I believe is higher. Its bull. The FAL will suck your hand through the radiator.

[itssr20]

wheres do they have the permacool 14" fan for $80?