I'm thinking of installing an electric cooling fan instead of the engine driven one. Do you notice any power gains? Is it worth the time and money? What CFM rating would I need for a 3.4L?

 

You would need at least 1600 CFM, if I recall correctly. A Flex-a-Lite FL-210 is perfect. They also make a fan that's a direct bolt-on for 4Runners, but it's $100 more than the #210 and features the same fans. The only difference is the special brackets and the harness to hook up to the A/C. I'm running the 210 and it's worked great for the last 4 years.

 

you can also use a volvo S70 or Ford Taurus fan from a junkyard which is cheaper. you just have to buy a fan controller.

EDIT: Not to be a dick...but search, there is LOTS of info on this. Talk to Mt. Goat, and Bamachem and TYOTA about this stuff. Bamachem is one of the greats on this fan install, he has an amazing Hayden Fan controller too.

 

I did do a search, but wanted to know the latest. Thanks for the info.

 

IIRC, I have also read that you can use a Ford Escort HO fan too. lol. Seems to be more of those in the yards these days...

 

I've kept this write up in my favorites links just for the future... http://www.tacomaterritory.com/wiki/..._Toyota_Shroud

 

I have the controller you'll see in some write ups along with a Taurus fan. I didn't notice much of a difference in either power or mpg. I do like not having to listen to the mechanical fan roaring, not sure if that alone is worth the install.

 

A clutch fan is the next best thing to an electric fan. Car Craft did a review a few years back on a 400hp engine and they found that an electric fan is worth 40hp over a fixed fan. But noone has a fixed fan anymore. The next best thing was a clutch fan, I think it was only 2-5 hp less than an electric on a 400hp motor. Flex fans did pretty bad in the test, and I hate those things anyways, noisy and sharp. Our 4runners have clutch fans.

A friend of mine tried to swap an electric fan from an 80-90s camaro into his Nova, but all the Camaros he found in the yard had been in front end collisions. I guess its because other cars are to slow!

 

Hijacking thread
Those of you that have installed electric fans... does the vehicle warm up much faster than it did with the clutch fans? I had a theory that if the fan only comes on during a set temperature then it would warm the engine much faster as the clutch fan is running all of the time delaying engine warmups.
Hijack off.

 

IronMike, Good HiJack. and good question.

 

I've ran them for 4 years total on both a Tacoma and my current 4R. Never had any issues. I noticed a difference in throttle response (5th gear putting the pedal down the engine felt more responsive). I did not notice the engine warming up faster, but I didn't test for that.

They make the engine a lot easier to work on and improve throttle response. I personally do not think they are worth the $200+.

 

Since a functioning thermostat doesn't open until the engine is warm it doesn't really matter how much air you do or don't have moving through the radiator. As long as the thermostat is closed and there is no flow of coolant into the radiator the engine will warm up at the same speed regardless of the fan running or not.

 

Exactly. In fact, I think the reason the mechanical clutch fan runs at startup is to put a small load on the motor to help it warm up faster (and it's safer to warm up with a light load).

 

Does anyone notice more power when the clutch fan comes on at startup? I thought it was due to colder intake temps, but what I found is that it doesn't matter if the truck has been sitting overnight, or if it just had a couple minutes of engine shut off. Could be in my head, but it really seems as though the truck pulls harder soon after startup when that fan is roaring. Likewise, as soon as it stops roaring, the power returns to normal.

 

Are you saying it seems like you have more power when the fan's clutch is engaged (roaring)? I always noticed less power when I had mine on...the only thing I can think of is that you have reduced heat soak, especially since you are supercharged.

 

I ran an electric for two years and was a huge advocate of them here. After I went through 3 controllers, with the last one being an expensive electronic one, and then busted two blades after a hard landing (note my avatar) I went back to a mechanical.

I may go back to electric at some point - there was definitely better throttle response on the low end, even with the S/C.

 

Was that last one a DCC controller?

 

Tried it again today while running errands. Definitely more torque and throttle response when the fan is roaring. Colder intake temps is my only guess. The difference in power is significant enough that I want that fan on all the time. Is there a way to do that?

 

No, it was a PermaCool that I paid too much for; Alan(?) hadn't found the DCC's yet.

That landing snapped two blades off, one of the blades jammed the motor and instead of blowing the fuse, it burned out the controller (yeup, wiring was correct with correct sized fuses). Woulda' been a $2 fix if PermaCool hadn't potted the damn thing.