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I'm in need of a radiator fan for my '89 Z project car and was wondering what are the options for a fan are, other than buying a used original one. Are there any universal fans worth using that bolt into the original mounts on the fan shroud? I'm not looking for anything fancy: I just want something that cools a V-8 engine adequately and reliably. I live in Kansas - land of hot summers and cold winters - and for now I'm not planning to run A/C in the car, which I know reduces the cooling needs for an engine some.
Easiest improvement would probably be a used LS1 fan setup. Can be found for under $100. Improvement over the stock setup and drops right in.
What years were these offered, what does it look like, and were there replacement versions available so I don't have to try track down a good used one?
I've been reading thru some of the LS1 fan swap threads, and I'm reading about having to cut this or that or zip tie this or that in place to install them, which I'm not really interested in doing at this point. I need something that will just bolt right in, because I've had more than my share of challenges with this car trying to get it going again after previous owners have tried to "improve" it only to leave an unfinished mess of these projects, replacing the cooling fan being one of them.
I really think the LS1 fan setup is overkill for a non-A/C car, anyway, and a single efficient fan would suit my car's cooling needs, although I'm definitely not an expert on electric radiator fans. I think having air conditioning is what really increases an engine's cooling needs, as well as robbing power from the engine, etc. My immediate need is to get this car going again, not worrying about turning it into a super Camaro with all kinds of bells, wistles, and creature comforts.
I really would like to get something new, rather than having to pay $50 or so for a 30+ year old fan and hope it works, and works reliably. That's why I asked about the replacement "universal" fans that are available for these cars.
There are new Ls1 fans available. Look on Rock auto for 98-02 Camaro 5.7... itll take some time to get it nice but you can easily make it work with the stock single fan shroud vs an aftermarket fan.... an aftermarket fan will not just "bolt right in" with these cars... the shrouds are designed specifically for either the single or dual fan depending what the car came with... You also need the shrouds to keep the radiators in place on these cars.
Ls fans are good... but if your car came with the stock single fan and you dont want to mess with fabbing.... just replace the fan motor... those are available and are literally a direct bolt in. if you have the dual fans stock, you can also replace the motors on those as well. Either will work fine with AC
Here are my LS fans installed... a pretty much "direct fit" / looks almost stock..... but took about 1-2 hours of trimming and planning to get them to be a "direct fit / almost stock" setup
Unfortunately I don't have the original fan to the car. The previous owner apparently jettisoned it to try and install some fancy dual fan set-up, which didn't come with any way to mount it (except with zip ties probably) so it was just sitting in the front of the engine compartment unattached when I got the car.
What was the original diameter of the fans on the single and dual fan set-ups that the 3rd gen F's had?
Unfortunately I don't have the original fan to the car. The previous owner apparently jettisoned it to try and install some fancy dual fan set-up, which didn't come with any way to mount it (except with zip ties probably) so it was just sitting in the front of the engine compartment unattached when I got the car.
What was the original diameter of the fans on the single and dual fan set-ups that the 3rd gen F's had?
I dont know the exact sizes, but the single was pretty big... I wanna say 16....the fan blade bolts direct to the motor and the motor itself bolts to a "frame" and that frame connects to the top and lower radiator supports... the dual blades were smaller... I thnk the duals are 9 - 10 inches in diameter each... basically, the stock fans are custom to the radiator supports they were designed for. the dual fan blades themselves are interchangeable between TPI, LT1 and Ls1 fans more less, its just the attachment. shrouding that is different... .
Heeres a link to a used single for reference......
I think the best thing to do would be to see what parts you currently got in there (if you have single or dual radiator support top and bottom) and go from there if you want the cheapest easiest solution without zip ties / fabrication
IMHO the single fan works perfectly fine and works better than the original dual fans... it was how GM tuned them on.. only one would turn on and then later the other would turn on depending on the temp / ac etc... the dual fans ar however more quiet than the single
I run my dual LS1 fans to come on at the same time.
I found an original '85-92 fan online that has five curved blades instead of the straight ones like all the other ones I've seen. Was this for a particular engine, or was this offered in all cars? My understanding is that curved blade fans are quieter but move less air.
I found an original '85-92 fan online that has five curved blades instead of the straight ones like all the other ones I've seen. Was this for a particular engine, or was this offered in all cars? My understanding is that curved blade fans are quieter but move less air.
The one i posted is the only one from GM
Does it ghave the "frame" i mentioned / seen in the ebay example?
I THINK i saw curved blades for sale as an aftermarket blade design... my experience is curved blades dont pull as much air.
Didenote, i beleive the stock single fan units are NOT compatible with ac delco fan motors... there is an integrated spacer on the motor hub
I found an original '85-92 fan online that has five curved blades instead of the straight ones like all the other ones I've seen. Was this for a particular engine, or was this offered in all cars? My understanding is that curved blade fans are quieter but move less air.
Curved blades were used on '83-early '85 on V6 MPFI, V8 L69 HO and TPI engines. The switch to strait blades later in '85 was one of GM's attempts to
fix hot soak issues some electric cooling fan equipped F-bodies were having in warmer areas. As I recall the C4 Corvette also made the change at the
same time.
No need to re invent the wheel, keep it simple. Just install the factory dual fan setup, same motors and blades the LS use (except blade to motor mount tabs) without the bulky fan shroud that was designed for a radiator that lays back.
you can buy new replacement motors @ about any parts store.
sorry to get off subject
cool to see the 85-87 SLP modified MAF bracket installed. In 88 the radiator cover was changed to better fit the new intake plumbing so the stock maf bracket could be used.
I decided last night to make an offer on the eBay fan posted above. If that falls thru I may consider the 3rd gen. dual fan set-up, but those seem to be a little harder to come by. That is made even more complicated by having to find one that has the mounts with it. It would be simpler - and probably much cheaper - to keep looking for another single fan.
Curved blades were used on '83-early '85 on V6 MPFI, V8 L69 HO and TPI engines. The switch to strait blades later in '85 was one of GM's attempts to
fix hot soak issues some electric cooling fan equipped F-bodies were having in warmer areas. As I recall the C4 Corvette also made the change at the
same time.
Werent the 83-84 mechanical fan?
All the 85s Ive seen used the straight blade as well as the TPI cars.
I decided last night to make an offer on the eBay fan posted above. If that falls thru I may consider the 3rd gen. dual fan set-up, but those seem to be a little harder to come by. That is made even more complicated by having to find one that has the mounts with it. It would be simpler - and probably much cheaper - to keep looking for another single fan.
What did your car come with?
If it was originally a single fan, then the single will bolt right in and plug right in. If you go with dual fans though, you'll need to wire up the second fan since your car won't have a second fan connector
'83-'86 L69 HO cars had electric cooling fans. They were the first of the 3rd-gens to get one and it was part of the package needed to
boost the HP rating up to 190 over the standard LG4's 150HP.
12-20-2022, 12:52 AM
