# Lets talk fan clutch vs electric fan
**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745
**Category:** NYSpeed Automotive
**Created:** [September 11, 2008, 2:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745 "2008-09-11T14:12:48Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Scott](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Scott)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2008, 2:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/1 "2008-09-11T14:12:48Z")
Long story short my viscous fan clutch has been not working for a year or so. I finally get around to buying and installing my new one.
I took the old one out and was surprised at how heavy it actually was, compared to its size. Shipping weight for the new one was 3 lbs, plus fan weight, and wind drag.
Well the new one went in fine, but Im fairly certain my car is now (considerably) slower. The old/broken one spun freely, with minimal drag. The new one seems very tight and spins alot faster.
now im contemplating switching to electric fans, are there good brands to look for? pros/cons?
3+lbs of rotating mass would be good to get rid of I believe, but if there’s anybody out there smarter than me in terms of thermodynamics, wind resistance, etc, Im all ears for your argument
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### Author:  [@Carnut](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Carnut)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2008, 2:23pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/2 "2008-09-11T14:23:18Z")
No you are right. Get rid of it and get an electric fan if you have a fan shroud get one that will fit inside it and fasten tight to the radiator. You may need to wire up your own relay since it did not come with one but there are kits for that.
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### Author:  [@BooSting](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BooSting)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2008, 2:25pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/3 "2008-09-11T14:25:35Z")
electric fan is less work for the motor so long as the stock alt can support the amperage.
also, arent shrouded electric fans a little more effective at air mass movement versus belt driven clutch fans?
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### Author:  [@Scott](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Scott)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2008, 2:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/4 "2008-09-11T14:31:45Z")
well, since my fan has been out for so long with 0 overheats, needle crept a little past half when in traffic for a bit, I was wondering about just wiring a switch to an electric fan, so when I know Im going to be stuck in traffic, or under extreme heat conditions, I can just flick it on. Then keep it off under cruising conditions and restoring powaR
Excellent/Good/Bad/Retarded idea?
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### Author:  [@BooSting](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BooSting)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2008, 2:35pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/5 "2008-09-11T14:35:01Z")
bad / retarded
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### Author:  [@Scott](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Scott)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2008, 3:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/6 "2008-09-11T15:51:55Z")
reasons?
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### Author:  [@mechanicalmadness](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mechanicalmadness)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/7 "2008-09-11T18:01:14Z")
Get an electric fan with the appropriate thermal switch wired to a relay.
Pros:
Less parasitic drag on the motor due to air and weight resistence, also less rotating mass on the WP equals longer WP life.
Cons:
Get a fan wired to a therlam switch and there wont be any.
Seriously though dont go the manual route. Do it right. Specuially if its for the Bimmer in your sig. You dont want to put too much heat in a straight 6
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### Author:  [@reliant\_turbo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/reliant_turbo)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2008, 6:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/8 "2008-09-11T18:10:52Z")
manual = oops i forgot = blown HG and other problems.
even if the old one was crap, it was probably still moving a little air when sitting in traffic. elec fan that is off is moving no air.
get a temperature based controller (or make one… LM324 op amp comparator, voltage regulator, simple voltage division circuit and a temperature sensor mounted in the t-stat box on the engine side, a MPS2222 transistor, a few resistors and a 12v automotive relay) and hook it to the fan and enjoy automation.
Brian
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### Author:  [@MPD47](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MPD47)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/9 "2008-09-11T18:19:47Z")
Definitely get the electric scott. There is a kit for your car as a matter of fact.
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### Author:  [@turbociv](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/turbociv)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2008, 6:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/10 "2008-09-11T18:24:58Z")
idk, i run a fan clutch and i still made over 550whp.😃
Also the reason you never overheated is probably because the electric fan for the ac condensor automaticalt turns on after a certain temp. there should be a low speed and a high speed if its anything like an e36.
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### Author:  [@mechanicalmadness](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mechanicalmadness)
#### Post date: [September 11, 2008, 8:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/11 "2008-09-11T20:53:31Z")
> [@turbociv](#):
>
> idk, i run a fan clutch and i still made over 550whp.😃
>
> Also the reason you never overheated is probably because the electric fan for the ac condensor automaticalt turns on after a certain temp. there should be a low speed and a high speed if its anything like an e36.
What he said. Actualy what everyone from reliant down to this said.
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### Author:  [@Mysterio](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mysterio)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2008, 3:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/12 "2008-09-12T03:50:57Z")
I run an electric fan on a manual switch. I have no “oops I forgot” situations. It has become pretty much second nature to flip the switch on/off and I don’t think I’ve ever forgotten. Worst case scenario you just flip it on right when you turn the car on and then you won’t have to worry about remembering to turn it on later once you’re already driving.
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### Author:  [@Drexial](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Drexial)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2008, 4:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/13 "2008-09-12T04:35:18Z")
this is discussed all over in the E36 forums on [bimmerforums.com](http://bimmerforums.com) they sell specific kits for replacing the clutch fan. It comes with water wetter, a lower temp thermostat, a nut to cover the and of the fan threads, and a variety of different fans. But definitely get the relay.
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### Author:  [@Shifty](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shifty)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2008, 4:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/14 "2008-09-12T04:51:20Z")
> [@Drexial](#):
>
> this is discussed all over in the E36 forums on [bimmerforums.com](http://bimmerforums.com) they sell specific kits for replacing the clutch fan. It comes with water wetter, a lower temp thermostat, a nut to cover the and of the fan threads, and a variety of different fans. But definitely get the relay.
Here a DIY link: [Spal electric fan wiring DIY](http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=618192&highlight=electric+fan)
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### Author:  [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2008, 5:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/15 "2008-09-12T05:44:16Z")
I don’t understand why you would want it on a manual switch. The cons are that you could forget to turn it on, you’d have to install a switch in the cabin somewhere that probably won’t look that great, extra wiring. Are there any pro’s to it at all? Is a temp switch expensive or something?
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### Author:  [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2008, 7:12am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/16 "2008-09-12T07:12:19Z")
Interesting thread. I just pulled an electric fan out of a Taurus to use. My fan is hooked directly up to the water pump pulley - no clutch. There’s no shroud, and the blades are sharp sheetmetal. :eekdance:
Let me know how your search goes, I’d like to do the retrofit this winter :tup:
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### Author:  [@Justin](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Justin)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2008, 7:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/17 "2008-09-12T07:47:51Z")
> [@Scott](#):
>
> well, since my fan has been out for so long with 0 overheats, needle crept a little past half when in traffic for a bit, I was wondering about just wiring a switch to an electric fan, so when I know Im going to be stuck in traffic, or under extreme heat conditions, I can just flick it on. Then keep it off under cruising conditions and restoring powaR
>
> Excellent/Good/Bad/Retarded idea?
I was in the exact same situation with my Supra. I wired in an electric fan from a Ford Taurus. Many people go with these fans because they flow tons of air and can be had cheap at any local j/y. I wired it in on a manual switch because I pay attention to my gauges. But in the one year that I have had it on the switch I have only turned it on maybe 3 times.
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### Author:  [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2008, 9:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/18 "2008-09-12T09:38:12Z")
> [@01AudiS4](#):
>
> I wired in an electric fan from a Ford Taurus. Many people go with these fans because they flow tons of air and can be had cheap at any local j/y.
I forget where I’d seen it, but 4000 - 4500 cfm IIRC.
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### Author:  [@Jagermeister](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jagermeister)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2008, 9:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/19 "2008-09-12T09:54:07Z")
What size fan do you need? I have a nice SPAL 12" that is brand new.
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### Author:  [@ImportMuscle](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ImportMuscle)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2008, 9:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-fan-clutch-vs-electric-fan/54745/20 "2008-09-12T09:59:32Z")
> [@TrueBlue](#):
>
> I forget where I’d seen it, but 4000 - 4500 cfm IIRC.
truth
and there’s also a recall on them because they burn out
I just bought a simple Hayden Imperial Fan (78.00) and a fan controller (25.00) for my jimmy
The controller is preset and has a small probe you put in between the fins on the radiator its very easy to wire up.
All in all, Electric \> Clutch. No parasitic drag and better more precise cooling
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