Hey all,

So I have one of those 2-core aluminum champion radiators in my car. Some people have talked about how much cooler their car runs after installing them, but driving it today (first longer period of driving it for awhile), it doesn't seem to be all that different from stock. I've heard the stock temp gauge is notoriously inaccurate, but based on that, the car likes to cruise around 220-225F, but will creep up to about 238 idling before the fan kicks in. From what I understand, this is normal/stock operating temp.

Just wondering if you need dual/higher cfm rated fans to really take advantage of the larger radiator's benefits? (As in, is the stock single fan inadequate at providing enough airflow for a non-stock rad?). Also, I'm guessing different temp fan switches and lower degree t-stats are a must as well?

 

A lot of guys are swearing by the ford taurus two speed fan. I haven't tried one yet but I am dying to get my hands on one. It's all about air flow or CFM. Oh, and don't forget about the amp draw.

 

Yeah, I had a feeling about the cfm. How much airflow does the stock, single fan (305 TBI) push? How much for a dual fan/TPI setup, or LT1/LS1 fans?

 

It's not going to run any cooler unless you put a different thermostat and temp sensor for the fan. Change the thermostat to a 180 and the fan temp sensor to a 195. I'm running the stock radiator with this setup and my temp rarely hits 200. Maybe idling on a 100 degree day.

Steve

 

I had a feeling. The t-stat is easy enough, but for the fan sensor, is it a plug and play type deal? or is it a bit more involved? The sensor is located around the passenger side cylinder head, correct?

 

Correct. Keep in mind the fan sensor is going to be messy. You're going to lose a good bit of coolant when you take it out. I learned that one the hard way.

Steve

 

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but arent the fan temps controlled by computer? All the sensor does is read the temp. The only ways I ever knew to change them were to:
A) Have them changed in the PCM
B) Manual switch which alot dont like but this is what I use
C) Hayden or other brand fan cotroller like this http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HDA-3651/

Or if you dont want adjustable they have ones with set on/off temps.

 

Hey there Irocz30589, I was just checking out that fan switch. Does it simply go in where the front of the intake manifold? Then route the wiring down to the secondary fan switch? The primary on my 91 camaro is controlled by the ecu. Looks neat, but I am can't see how i'd personally wire it up for my car.

 

I do know that the temp sender that comes with that replaces the one in the front of intake like you were saying, thats the one for your computer. I do it makes your fan system "standalone" it has all the relays included and what not but I'm not 100%. I'm not sure if you have single or dual fans but the kit I linked is for dual.

 

There is typically (on TPI cars) two fan switches. One on the head, which is a 'fail safe', and the other is a computer input.

The ECM has a fan turn on/off temp, but if that fails to work the switch will turn the fans on/off.

(I may have that backwards, and the ECM might be the failsafe, but you get the idea).

Hypertech used to sell the switch that goes into the head, that would ground out at a lower temp and activate the fan relays.

-- Joe

 

Hey,
I am running a similar setup w/ the Taurus fans and am fixing to order the 3 core Champion for $240, but I am using Summit Racing's wiring kit. Just like you, it blew the stock circuit breaker, but I upgraded it and haven't had a problem. I will try to post a picture...

 

if it is a 91 tbi engine the fan ( single ) is controlled by a fan temp switch on the passenger side head between the last 2 cylinders. and it is also controlled by the a/c switches on that same wire. dark green and white. if you want it cooler you will have to get a 4208 hypertech switch or a jet switch for cooler operation. i went the more expensive route with a flexalite controller. and of course a cooler tstat.