electric fans, worth the price?
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
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From: WA
electric fans, worth the price?
Hi there,
I have the good old mechanical fan right now and looking at efans but I can't find any clear dyno sheet comparing the before and after for our F150.
Is it worth spending $500 - $900 on efans + install?
How much HP or other benefits do you get from them?
Does it really cool better than the mechanical fan?
My fear is that if these efans fail to run then the whole thing overheat correct?
I've seen some of them have adjustable fan speed, but how do you know which setting to put?
JDM is saying they have a sale at $699 (I find this really expensive)
http://www.teamjdm.com/lightning-har...an-kit-by-jdm/
Troyer from their website is $450 (looks more affordable)
http://www.troyerperformance.com/scr...idproduct=1218
A good dyno close to my place can do it for $400 to $500 without install (Marysville)
Thoughts?
I have the good old mechanical fan right now and looking at efans but I can't find any clear dyno sheet comparing the before and after for our F150.
Is it worth spending $500 - $900 on efans + install?
How much HP or other benefits do you get from them?
Does it really cool better than the mechanical fan?
My fear is that if these efans fail to run then the whole thing overheat correct?
I've seen some of them have adjustable fan speed, but how do you know which setting to put?
JDM is saying they have a sale at $699 (I find this really expensive)
http://www.teamjdm.com/lightning-har...an-kit-by-jdm/
Troyer from their website is $450 (looks more affordable)
http://www.troyerperformance.com/scr...idproduct=1218
A good dyno close to my place can do it for $400 to $500 without install (Marysville)
Thoughts?
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
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From: WA
so how much for a kit to install? like parts and everything?
is it easy to install for any garage?
if you need 2x derale then Troyer's kit isn't that expensive after all right? @ $450
Derek, I'm suggesting you to make a sticky post in this supercharged forums with recommended mods for each application, ie. common (efans..), whipple only (TBS..), roush only, procharger only.. and with a price so people could buy from you or something
is it easy to install for any garage?
if you need 2x derale then Troyer's kit isn't that expensive after all right? @ $450
Derek, I'm suggesting you to make a sticky post in this supercharged forums with recommended mods for each application, ie. common (efans..), whipple only (TBS..), roush only, procharger only.. and with a price so people could buy from you or something
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,390
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Hi.
You may wish to consider a constant temperature controller - for the simple fact that they offer superior temperature contorl, and the eliminate the huge inrush currents at startup that can stress yer electrical system ( e.g - the RF-269, which is the fan I would personally recommend for you, draws 139A @ startup. )
Controllers:
DCC FK series: www.DCControl.com
Painless F5: http://www.painlessperformance.com/w...rchField=30141
Fans:
Motorcraft RF-269; Motorcraft part # BL3Z-8C607-A (2010+ F150 efans)
Motorcraft F8LH-8C607-AA ( Mark VIII efan )
Example installs ( just to give you ideas ):
https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...150-4-2-a.html
http://www.f150forum.com/f4/motorcra...nstall-245343/
FWIW - Twin is running the RF-269 and a Painless controller.
Single biggest thing to remember is exemplary wiring practices, along with high quality components are required to ensure reliability. If you compromise one or the other (or both) don't even bother.
Agree with Crash that integrating backup manual override controls will help with emergency operation (to get you home) in case of a controller failure. In-cab indicators help as well to keep tabs on what the fans are doing.
Just IMHO .... best of luck
MGD
You may wish to consider a constant temperature controller - for the simple fact that they offer superior temperature contorl, and the eliminate the huge inrush currents at startup that can stress yer electrical system ( e.g - the RF-269, which is the fan I would personally recommend for you, draws 139A @ startup. )
Controllers:
DCC FK series: www.DCControl.com
Painless F5: http://www.painlessperformance.com/w...rchField=30141
Fans:
Motorcraft RF-269; Motorcraft part # BL3Z-8C607-A (2010+ F150 efans)
Motorcraft F8LH-8C607-AA ( Mark VIII efan )
Example installs ( just to give you ideas ):
https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...150-4-2-a.html
http://www.f150forum.com/f4/motorcra...nstall-245343/
FWIW - Twin is running the RF-269 and a Painless controller.
Single biggest thing to remember is exemplary wiring practices, along with high quality components are required to ensure reliability. If you compromise one or the other (or both) don't even bother.
Agree with Crash that integrating backup manual override controls will help with emergency operation (to get you home) in case of a controller failure. In-cab indicators help as well to keep tabs on what the fans are doing.
Just IMHO .... best of luck
MGD
Last edited by MGDfan; Feb 9, 2014 at 02:41 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,994
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From: Wilmington,NC
I don't know about these trucks. However, I was a long term Chevy fan for many years (I'm 69 now) and I remember reading a comparison test between the stock fan and an electric and a flex blade fan on a Chevy car. As I remember, the stock fan was almost as efficient as the electric fan because it disengages when the engine heats up. Most if not all cars have electric fans these days, but Ford continues to put the old style on the trucks for reliability reasons I think.
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Bennington, NE 68007
I have dual Flex-a -lite fans in both my trucks. They have worked great. No heating issues ever. They were around $575 without install. Takes a couple hours to install them.
Jeff
Jeff
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From: Wilmington,NC
True, but my 95 Mark VIII had electric fans and it was rear drive. I would be shocked if changing to electric fans would increase efficiency enough to measure the difference in fuel mileage. If you want that last hp at 5k rpm, then go for it.
Last edited by Roadie; Feb 10, 2014 at 10:52 AM.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,427
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From: North Carolina
I politely disagree with the 20hp figures. At best the efans might be worth 3-5hp and the same for the water pump. 7hp would be peak. Keep in mind most ac compressors draw 5-7hp now days. No way the water pump or belt driven fan take more. Add to that the fact that your belt driven fan is electronically and thermostatically controlled. So it would not be running during a wot throttle pull or even while cruising around town.
The advantage of the efans is the cooling ability. The hand full of hp is just icing on the cake.
The advantage of the efans is the cooling ability. The hand full of hp is just icing on the cake.
Suspended
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 638
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I politely disagree with the 20hp figures. At best the efans might be worth 3-5hp and the same for the water pump. 7hp would be peak. Keep in mind most ac compressors draw 5-7hp now days. No way the water pump or belt driven fan take more. Add to that the fact that your belt driven fan is electronically and thermostatically controlled. So it would not be running during a wot throttle pull or even while cruising around town.
The advantage of the efans is the cooling ability. The hand full of hp is just icing on the cake.
The advantage of the efans is the cooling ability. The hand full of hp is just icing on the cake.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,427
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
Motorcraft Efans for the 2010+ F150 and a Painless controller. Problem solved. No f'n tywrap crap through the radiator, temp bulbs stuck through the fins. Factory look, fit and finish. Fans will outlast the truck. My Painless controller has been flawless. Manual override is there and a great bonus at the track.
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OK. Fair enough. 7 HP. So the cost would not be justfied by installing the electric fans from a cost standpoint, for the street. If you are counting tenths, maybe so. Now that you mention it, the numbers I threw out there came from the belt drive fans that were steel and heavy. Now fans are basically plastic. I will own that, because I have not tested before and after I installed my Derales. I installed them as pushers to clear the turbocharger, not for negligible gains. So flame away if you want...
I have yet to dyno, swap the fans, and dyno again. So I will agree with your results. Thanks for the update!
To add to that, I have found you will basically not feel a "Seat of the pants" gain until you gain or free up 20 HP or more. So if you only see a 7 HP gain, is the cost of the upgrade justified, knowing they are expensive, and without a GOOD controller it can fail? One thing is for sure, a belt drive fan is reliable.
If you are going forward with electric fans, I want to add that it is imperative to use circuit breakers instead of fuses. For both cooling system integrity and diagnostic purposes. And don't forget a manual override. This is added protection, even though you have a failsafe cooling system, which works well by the way.
I have yet to dyno, swap the fans, and dyno again. So I will agree with your results. Thanks for the update!
To add to that, I have found you will basically not feel a "Seat of the pants" gain until you gain or free up 20 HP or more. So if you only see a 7 HP gain, is the cost of the upgrade justified, knowing they are expensive, and without a GOOD controller it can fail? One thing is for sure, a belt drive fan is reliable.
If you are going forward with electric fans, I want to add that it is imperative to use circuit breakers instead of fuses. For both cooling system integrity and diagnostic purposes. And don't forget a manual override. This is added protection, even though you have a failsafe cooling system, which works well by the way.
On this one point I'd like to respectfully disagree. Circuit breakers are less reliable than fuses. A fuse - rated properly is 100% reliable. Breakers vary in quality, are mechanical in nature,and can fail to trip when needed (or not meet their designed rating).
Stick with either fuses, or fusible links. (A soft-start variable speed controller will also lessen the stress on the main fuse as again, there will be no inrush to contend with ).
Breakers are convenient and some models offer auto-reset - not a good idea in this instance - something caused the trip - you do not want to re-energize until root cause is known.
MGD
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Senior Member
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From: WA
so for noobs like me, could you please tell me the complete list or an easy kit to get for my 2006 5.4 that would be great!
I for sure won't install it, the garage will
in my first post I've put Troyer kit @ $450 and JDM @ $700, JDM told me they kit is much better quality than Troyer, thoughts? are these complete kits?
I for sure won't install it, the garage will
in my first post I've put Troyer kit @ $450 and JDM @ $700, JDM told me they kit is much better quality than Troyer, thoughts? are these complete kits?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,390
Likes: 10
so for noobs like me, could you please tell me the complete list or an easy kit to get for my 2006 5.4 that would be great!
I for sure won't install it, the garage will
in my first post I've put Troyer kit @ $450 and JDM @ $700, JDM told me they kit is much better quality than Troyer, thoughts? are these complete kits?
I for sure won't install it, the garage will
in my first post I've put Troyer kit @ $450 and JDM @ $700, JDM told me they kit is much better quality than Troyer, thoughts? are these complete kits?
Just do this, as mentioned above: https://www.f150online.com/forums/ot...light=painless
You Will Not Find any pre-packaged kit that compares. No FAL kit even comes close ( FAL is overpriced, over-hyped in any case, in my view - FAL's fans roughly draw half the power - what does that tell you? )
good luck!
MGD
Last edited by MGDfan; Feb 11, 2014 at 06:04 PM.