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Fan VS Fan

ProStreetDuster
10-31-2005, 06:28 AM
Which fan would use free up more HP over a stock fan, a clutch fan or one of these Flex-a-lite nylon fans? http://www.flex-a-lite.com/catalogs/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=heavyduty&Category_Code=400series
I was at the race track last week and spotted alot of cars running these nylon fans and it got me wondering.

dusterdon
10-31-2005, 10:57 PM
There was a dyno test in Car Craft acouple of years ago that tested the different kinds of fans. The winner hands down was a clutch fan which if my memory serves me correctly was 45 HP better than a steel non clutch fan and around 25 HP better than a flex fan. Bottom line is if you have room to use a flex fan, do it. They'll cool the best too.

don

ProStreetDuster
11-01-2005, 07:35 AM
Did the test include that nylon flex fan in the link I posted?
I know the steel flex fan wasn't as good as a Clutch fan for HP, but those nylon one's are only like 11 onces or something like that.
I'm just looking for a few more HP without going to an electric on my commuter.

dgc333
11-01-2005, 10:31 AM
It's not the weight that sucks the power, it's how much they bite into the air. The amount of power a fan absorbs is proportional to the speed you try and turn it at.

The link you have is for a fan that is designed to move maximum air for a stationary engine. These engines operate over a very narrow rpm range and saving horsepower is not a major concern. I would venture a guess they may even be worse than a stock steel non clutch fan, certainly not something I would hang on the front of my car engine.

ProStreetDuster
11-01-2005, 11:34 PM
Actually it's the same fan (Flex-a-Lite 400 series) that Summit sells for $16.88 and it's rated up to 8,000 RPM and comes in sizes up to 18' diameter.
I'm not sure why that link I posted above to Flex-a-lite said it's for a stationary engine, because here is the same fan on there site again saying it's ideal for a race and performance engine http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/html/400-series-economy.html
I guess they're just saying they recommend it for either setup.
I understand about the fan bite effecting HP, and these don't look like they have too much of a bite.
Maybe I'll try to pick one up at the next swap meet, there's usually someone selling them.

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