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In Reply to: More Questions posted by Doug on June 22, 2000 at 09:19:19:
Yes, it is true that engine driven fans consume a certain amount of horsepower. The purpose of the fan clutch as you may know is to allow the fan to turn with reduced resistance when cold, and then vary the speed with heat until it is essentially a solid drive. One thing that many fail to consider is that the increased load on the alternator by increased electrical load also induces some (lesser) loss of horsepower.
I'm going to assume that your car is not air conditioned. If it is I would STRONGLY advise you do not convert it to electric cooling.
If it is not, I would obtain an oem BMW auxiliary cooling fan and mount it in front of the radiator. Wire it through a temp switch in the bottom of the radiator with a 90 degreeish switch. Then take some measurements and go to the local pick a part and start looking for an OE cooling fan for something about the same size and mount that behind the radiator. (make sure it is a "puller") What ever you get make sure it is designed as a primary fan. Most after market electric fans are not designed for use as a primary fan. Wire this one through a switch in the bottom of the radiator and the lowest temp switch you can get (81 cels I think).
There should be plenty of room without repositioning the radiator. The fan clutch should bolt to the drive flange with a large bolt, then the flange to the wp with 4 small socket head cap screws. If it has the BIG reverse thread on the wp, it has probably been changed to 325i parts. You should have two holes in the right side of the bottom radiator tank with plugs in them. That's where the switches go. If your car has Factory ac, it will have a switch in one. If it is a very early 80 it may not have the holes drilled and taped, but will have the bosses molded in.
I live in Atlanta, and even a stock car with factory ac and all new cooling parts will overheat if you get caught in traffic on a day above 65 degrees or so. Doesn't matter if it is an early car with electric cooling or a late car with engine driven, they both overheat, just the early car overheats much faster. (5 mins vs. 15-20 mins)
Robert
1981 BMW 323i
1982 BMW/Callaway Turbo 320i
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: Robert,
: The reason I want to go electric is that I have been told that the engine mount fans suckup HP. Is this true?? I do live in th NW US and I am running a 71 degree thermostat. My radiator, water pump and engine are new and right now the engine runs plenty cool. I was thinking about wiring the elec fan directly to a switch on the dash for total control or, I heard that low temp control units are available for the elec fans that kick in at about 82 degrees. I just don't know if it's worth all the hassle of remounting the radiator to fit the fan in behind the grills. Opinions....
: <
: i>: Unless you live in a very cool climate and your car does not have air cond I would replace the fan clutch and not convert to the electric. even the cars factory equipped with electrics are very prone to overheating.
: : Any of the mail order places can hook you up. Personally I'd probably use Paul @ Maximillon (sp?)
: : : The fan clutch on my 80 323i is on it's way out and I'm wondering if an electric fan is the way to go. I have heard that the engine mount fans do use up valuable HP??? Any advice? Who sells the right parts?
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