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single fan vs. dual fans?

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Old 11-07-2010, 06:54 PM
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single fan vs. dual fans?

My 1992 camaro 305 has one larger single fan on the radiator,and my uncle's 88 GTA has 2 smaller fans on his radiator. I searched this, but I didn't find any direct answers. Why the difference? He has the 5.7l V8. Is it because of the engine size? He also says that one fan may be for the AC, and the other for cooling the motor. Is that true? If so, why does mine only have one fan? We were talking about it today while we were working on my camaro, and I just thought I would ask.

Thanks!
Old 11-07-2010, 07:26 PM
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Re: single fan vs. dual fans?

Cars without A/C received a single fan, AFAIK.
Old 11-07-2010, 07:35 PM
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Re: single fan vs. dual fans?

My camaro does have AC unless a previous owner added it. The owner I bought it from cut the lines though, but the AC compressor and everything is or was there.

Is there an rpo code for AC?
Old 11-07-2010, 07:52 PM
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Re: single fan vs. dual fans?

C60 is A/C I believe.
Old 11-07-2010, 08:12 PM
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Re: single fan vs. dual fans?

Alright thanks, i'll need to check the codes next chance I get to the car.
Old 11-07-2010, 09:07 PM
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Re: single fan vs. dual fans?

I think I read somewhere that TPI motors got dual fans. I know I pulled a set from an 89 IROC with a 305TPI...
Old 11-08-2010, 12:28 AM
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Re: single fan vs. dual fans?

A/C doesn't have anything to do with getting dual fans on our cars. It's like an option package thing. You've got an RS (base) with a 305 tbi, he's got a GTA (top of the line), with the most expensive engine you could get. You can switch over to dual fans if you'd like, but if your not having cooling problems and your keeping the car stock there really isn't a reason to.
Old 11-08-2010, 05:30 AM
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Re: single fan vs. dual fans?

thanks nova! That does make sense. The only problem I am having is that the fan doesn't turn on when it needs to. The car will begin to overheat, then it cools back down again before it does. The previous owner said that you need to turn the ac on for the fan to turn on and cool the motor. I figured it's just the temp switch/sensor that needs to be replaced. I"m not even sure of my car came with ac. The compressor is there but the lines are cut and folded shut. I'll have to check the codes when I get a chance.

Thanks guys!
Old 11-08-2010, 08:48 AM
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Re: single fan vs. dual fans?

Originally Posted by bradley23150
I think I read somewhere that TPI motors got dual fans. I know I pulled a set from an 89 IROC with a 305TPI...
No, my 88 IROC has a single fan.
Old 11-08-2010, 01:33 PM
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Re: single fan vs. dual fans?

Originally Posted by chevydrvr
thanks nova! That does make sense. The only problem I am having is that the fan doesn't turn on when it needs to. The car will begin to overheat, then it cools back down again before it does. The previous owner said that you need to turn the ac on for the fan to turn on and cool the motor. I figured it's just the temp switch/sensor that needs to be replaced. I"m not even sure of my car came with ac. The compressor is there but the lines are cut and folded shut. I'll have to check the codes when I get a chance.

Thanks guys!
If your car's got A/C equipment than it's probably stock, almost all thirdgen's came with A/C, and most people wouldn't add it if it didn't come with it. Turning the A/C on forces the fan to come on but you shouldn't need to do that. There is a cooling fan turn on switch that is located in the passenger side head. What temp does your fan turn on. GM has them turn on pretty late, I think it's like 235. You can get an aftermarket switch that turns the fan on earlier. Hypertech makes them and you can get em from summit.
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Old 11-08-2010, 03:45 PM
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Re: single fan vs. dual fans?

I think the switch itself is either going bad, or is gone. I'm not sure what temp it comes on, but the temp gets up pretty high before it drops again.
Old 11-08-2010, 08:31 PM
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Re: single fan vs. dual fans?

If the switch was bad the temp would never go down as you said yours does. They normally go up around 220 before fan kicks in and it cools down. Lots of people find this too high for their own comfort, and as was mentioned earlier put in a fan switch that turns the fan on at a lower temp. In the summer around here it gets to be 110 degrees and the single fan still cools enough as long as the rest of the cooling system is good.
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