Electric Radiator Fan Swap - 94 Grand Am

[aka-justin]

I've been wanting to try the this swap but I've been to cheap to really do it.  The other day, my co-worker at work told me he had an old 1994 Pontiac Grand Am v6 that he was going to send to the junk yard.  I asked him if I could grab the electric fan off and some relays and he's said grab what you want.

So, here's the very first (that I know of) 1994 Pontiac Grand Am v6 radiator fan swap on a Jeep Wrangler YJ.

I have it all hooked up, just wondering what fan switch and placement I want to use.  (I'm cheapr then most)  Right now I have a toggle switch to the ground on the relay.  It will have another ground to a fan switch once I figure out what I want to do.

Cost:
Old wire and fuse laying around (free)
94 Grand Am single speed radiator fan and relay (free)
1/8"x3/4"x8' Angled Aluminum stock and 1/4" bolts nuts and washers ($12 at lowes)

Total: $12

Here's the fan installed:




Here's Where the old fan was:


Here's the donor's relay:


I haven't seen much of improvement as far as performance, but I hope to see a small change to MPGs.  This is only considering that my old fan clutch was toast anyway.  It was either spend $40 on a new fan clutch or perform a franken build.

[chardrc]

whats the diameter of that fan? looks kinda small compared to what other people use... could also be that it doesn't have a big shroud like the ford ones.  always nice to get a free mod.

[aka-justin]

whats the diameter of that fan? looks kinda small compared to what other people use... could also be that it doesn't have a big shroud like the ford ones.  always nice to get a free mod.

I put it next to the stock fan and their identical size.  There was no shroud to pull off the donor vehicle and that's how it was mounted, I just turned it 90 degrees CW to match my holes.  I thought the same thing about the shroud, but since it was the same size and on a v6 with A/C, I wasn't too worried about heat.

It's only a single speed fan, but it sure keeps it cold.  I turned it on and you can feel the air rushing in from the front of the grill. 

Good question!  Thanks, 

[jfrabat]

The size does not worry me as much as (1) pulling power (I know the Ford fans are a beast at moving air; dont know about this one, though), and (2) the fact that you are not using a shroud.  Without a shroud, the fan will only cool the air directly in front of the fan, which leaves a lot of the radiator not cooling, and this will be more of an issue when wheeling (using the 4L), as less air goes through the radiator at low speeds, and the engine tends to be revved more.

[aka-justin]

The size does not worry me as much as (1) pulling power (I know the Ford fans are a beast at moving air; dont know about this one, though), and (2) the fact that you are not using a shroud.  Without a shroud, the fan will only cool the air directly in front of the fan, which leaves a lot of the radiator not cooling, and this will be more of an issue when wheeling (using the 4L), as less air goes through the radiator at low speeds, and the engine tends to be revved more.

I live in a desert area, so I'll be sure to report back if there's any issues on a hot day.  I would have rather got the Taurus/Mark V fan, just wasn't the free one. 

[sharpxmen]

i think you'll be fine with no shroud, one thing i think you should consider is the way you made the mount on the driver's side - that aluminum just between the one side of the fan housing and the rad bracket i don't think is sturdy enough, it might let the fan vibrate and hid your radiator  core, i would consider going with the aluminum angle all the way across between the rad brackets.

[aka-justin]

When I get a some time this weekend, I'm going to make a second go at it.  I was running out of day light and made some what of a hack bracket  just so I could drive it around.  It doeesn't move to much even though it's so oogly.

[Jeffy]

When I get a some time this weekend, I'm going to make a second go at it.  I was running out of day light and made some what of a hack bracket  just so I could drive it around.  It doeesn't move to much even though it's so oogly.

I'd also worry that the aluminum would fatigue from vibrations as it doesn't look like it's mounted too solidly.

[aka-justin]

I'd also worry that the aluminum would fatigue from vibrations as it doesn't look like it's mounted too solidly.

Here's what's going down... 

Going to take this off and going to use it as a template.  Make a better version of my and send ya'll some pics.  I'm also going to extend the top bracket all the way across to connect to the other side of the radiator for more strength.  Hope to have it done in the next or so.  Untill then, have a beer

Here's my vision in mspaint:

[sharpxmen]

Here's what's going down... 

Going to take this off and going to use it as a template.  Make a better version of my and send ya'll some pics.  I'm also going to extend the top bracket all the way across to connect to the other side of the radiator for more strength. 

 - you should have the same for the bottom bracket (all the way across).
 - don't cut the angle side when you meet with the vertical one, that's what provides strength and prevents it from bending

[Jeffy]

If you run two horizontal runners all the way across the radiator you shouldn't need vertical supports on the sides.  Then run your one vertical for the dr. side.  You'll probably need a tube so space that lower mount since it's not flush with the face of the fan like the other points.

Also, don't limit yourself with the stock mounting locations of the fan.  You can always add L brackets so it sits flush with the face of the fan.  The fan is pretty light so just a few screws though the plastic would do.

[aka-justin]

I went to Napa Autoparts today and bought a Ford temperature switch.  I swear when I looked on Jegs, I only could find the external fan switches for $90+.  I spent over $30 on the switch.  I just looked online and found Derale fan control system (relay/fuse/probe/temp adjust) for $39.  I feel like a heel.  I ordered the Derale unit and I'll be returning the other switch back to Napa... dohhh .

I should have it installed along with the re-engineered fan bracket in two weekends.  I'll be sure to send pictures.

Derale Cooling Products 16759 - Derale Cooling Products Deluxe Adjustable Fan Controllers with Radiator Probes
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DER-16759/

[aka-justin]

My product arrived here on monday.  I just now started reseaching some of the parameters in my service manual about fan operation tempatures and found this tid bit about an optional electric fan for XJ 4.0.  I wonder if my YJ 2.5L PCM outputs negative to this pin #31 it mentions.  I'm going to investigate it before I install this relay.  I'll post pictures either way.

[aka-justin]

This doesn't look promising... but I'll still check...

[sharpxmen]

that's a great find, but unfortunately i don't think it will work (but i'm just guessing so it might).

it specifies the 4.0L
it's an XJ

they are flashed with a different firmware vs the 2.5L so that's why i think it won't be there, but if it is that would be friggin awesome.