Attaching Low Profile Fans to Radiator?

[skid542]

Tomorrow I'm going to try and finish putting the cooling system back together which means putting in my new Koyo alum. radiator. I have some low profile fans I want to use but the do not have quite as big of a foot print as the stock fans so their mounting points don't line up with the points on the Koyo radiator.

So, how many people use those 'zip ties' that are straight with the little pads on both ends that are perpendicular to the shaft of the zip tie? The kind that get used when you're putting an external tranny cooler on.

I've used them before when I had my old 4eat and was running an axuliarly cooler. But are they viable for mounting low profile fans? I've seen pictures with fans mounted without using the stock mount points so I know there's a way. Is this a solid attachment?

Thoughts, comments, suggestions?

Thank you in advance. I know this seems like a silly question, I just want a 'feel good' response that what I'm planning on doing is acceptable practice and won't result in me having a hole in my nice new radiator.

[kimokalihi]

How come you aren't using the stock fans? Just for extra room?

[skid542]

Mainly for extra room and the stock fans I had left when I sold the Radio Flyer (they went on it). And of course I got rid of my old extra set of fans about a 8 months ago because I figured I'd have no need for them.

I do like look of these new fans though - blade design is more refined and they are definately thinner.

[93forestpearl]

I used a combination of thin (1/16) aluminum and the mounts that cam with the fans to make it work. One thing I did was to offset the fans so one drew air across the top tubes and the other on the bottom. I didn't like the idea of leaving a bunch of tubes without airflow. I might still modify my setup even more. However, it seemed like the bottom tubes carried more hot coolant than the top. I'd actually like to get one larger fan, like a 14" (those are both 12") to fill in some more area on the radiator. I never over heated with that setup though.

[impreza_GC8]

I was just about to suggest you use some flat pieces of aluminum, like in the photo. Thats what I'm doing for my single 15" fan.

[Legacy777]

If there's any way you can create a shroud around the fans that would also help draw air across the entire area of the radiator.

Dan.....I've gotta ask....so what's up with all the pennies?

[evolutionmovement]

Even more efficient would be to build the shroud to vent out of a hole in the hood. Lose some sleeper effect, though.

[AWD_addict]

The pennies can be the new Legacycentral rap-video-style background for showing off parts. Pennies are the new paper towels.

[AWD_addict]

I bet the "zip tie" style mounts would be fine for street use. If you're on rough roads or rally-X I'd use aluminum brackets similar to Dan's.

[93forestpearl]

If there's any way you can create a shroud around the fans that would also help draw air across the entire area of the radiator.

Dan.....I've gotta ask....so what's up with all the pennies?

LOL, I figured someone would ask about all the pennies. Back in the day we used to play poker with pennies, so I had a gladware container full of them. That container was on the bench in the basement, and the cat knocked it over one night. I haven't taken taken the time to clean them up yet.





Eventually I'd like to make a shroud. I didn't have room before with the radiator moved 1" back, so I had to have the fans like that. Now I have the room, so eventually I'd like to fab up a shiny looking thing, or maybe mold some carbon fiber. That arrangement works for now, so I'll leave for when I feel like I need to work on the car.

[IronMonkeyL255]

god, i can't wait to finish welding school. I wanna play around with making a new shroud at some point in the near future......