How to convert from belt-driven clutch fan to dual electrical fans...

I really want to create a ram-air setup for my camaro using the TPI dual filter setup. To make this work however, I need to switch from the clutch fan to electric fans, so that I have room above the radiator shroud for the air " snorkel". I came across a great deal on the fans, so off I went... Parts Needed:

Upper radiator shroud Lower fan mount - GM PART # 10055083 - I ordered this new from a GM dealer - about $9.50 2 Electric fans Fan electrical connectors (2) or a dual fan harness. I obtained the connectors from 2 V6 junkyard cars. 2 conductor wire to run from the fan connector to relays Fuse kit - I used a 30 amp inline fuse Battery connection - I used a side terminal adaptor with accessory mount 1 or 2 relays depending on your control mechanism - see below for more commentary. Your favorite electrical connection accessories - electrical tape or solder or crimp connectors, etc Split tube loom - I used some 1/2" for the fan wiring. Split tube loom holders - I used (2) 1/2" holders attached to the fans. Body U-Mounts and bolts - see the diagram for details

Fan Control - there are many theories on how to control the dual fans. I will start with simplicity - both fan relays will be energized by the ignition circuit. If this proves to be too much load on the alternator, I will rethink the plan. In the summer, I don't see much of an issue with this setup. Eventually, I will have one fan controlled by engine temp, and the other triggered by use of the air conditioning. I will likely also have a manual override switch to run both fans on demand.

Click on bordered images for full size...

This is a diagram of the dual fan setup

This is a mock-up of the fans & brackets.

Instructions (as I remember them, your mileage may vary!) 1) Remove clutch fan nuts 2) Remove clutch fan

Pic of old shroud & clutch fan... 3) Replace clutch fan nuts 4) Remove bolts that join upper & lower radiator shroud 5) Remove upper radiator shroud bolts and a/c hose bracket (on one of the shroud bolts) 6) Remove upper shroud (I pulled mine up - be careful with the A/C hoses - mine leaked quite a bit during this operation) 7) Remove lower shroud bolts 8) Remove lower shroud (I pulled mine up) 9) Clean between radiator and condensor

Lots of crud between radiator & consendor...

This is the crud in my shopvac...Yuck... 10) Mount upper shroud, make sure it has radiator rubber mounts and the u-bolts for the fans

The upper bracket from the donor car was missing a rubber mount, so I moved it off the old shroud... 11) Move u-bolt from old shroud mounting location (passenger side) to the location closer to center 12) Mount lower fan bracket, make sure it has the 4 u-bolts for the fans 13) Mount fans

Pic of one of the new fans after mounting... Gotta love the special coolant absorbing pink towel... 14) Check alignment - I shimmed one fan (with washers on the lower mount) that appears to have a slightly twisted bracket 15) Attach fan electrical connectors and carefully power up each fan to check for movement or obstruction. I used a 12v battery charger for a quick test 16) Extend fan electrical connector wiring using 12 gauge wire (same as connector) 17) Wire fans to relay(s) depending on your fan control method

Relay Wiring pic #1...

Relay Wiring pic #2... 18) Wire fans to ground (I used a body ground by the battery (see the relay mounting pic) 19) Wire relay to fuse, then extend fuse lead to battery (I added a side battery terminal extender, and used a 30 amp inline fuse with cap) 20) Wire relay to control and ground (I used a new ignition lead run through the firewall, along the driver's side, then over to the fan wire loom) 21) Mount relay using u-bolt (Mine is between the battery and the passenger headlight - see pic)

Wire looming pic #1... 22) Wire loom everything & use wire loom holders (there are holes in the fan brackets for them)

Look at the nice wire looming job :>)

Wire looming pic #2... Questions? Comments? Know a better way? Let me know! Email me at: icole at technovelocity dot com