Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

New AU thermo fan installed + pics

Started by _Aidan_ , Dec 26 2005 09:31 PM

Please log in to reply

16 replies to this topic

#1 _Aidan_

Guests

Posted 26 December 2005 - 09:31 PM

Hey guys had some temp probs at idle so bought some AU thermo fans and modified them to fit. Heres some pics of them installed with a thermo switch. Excuse the mess in the bay I somehow managed to get coolant sprayed all over the bay during installation <_< . Had a major head puzzler during installation too.. problem was I bought 24V relays :blink:

..major blonde moment. Anyway heres some pics.
Posted Image

Back to top

#2 _Flamenco_

Guests

Posted 26 December 2005 - 09:41 PM

Good job Aidan! Have the fans made a noticible difference?

Back to top

#3 _Aidan_

Guests

Posted 26 December 2005 - 09:51 PM

oh yeah a major different, never gets even slightly hot and temp is alot more stable

Back to top

#4 _Aidan_

Guests

Posted 26 December 2005 - 09:56 PM

Back to top

#5 Heath

I like cars.

Administrators
18,402 posts

Name:Heath
Location:Eastern Suburbs, Melbourne
Car:Heavily Modified UC Sunbird Hatchback
Joined: 07-November 05

View Garage

Posted 26 December 2005 - 09:58 PM

So you're the one that owns that beast. I remember seeing it on the old forums? but I didn't take much notice of the owner.

Fans look great btw, neat install!

Edited by Heath, 26 December 2005 - 10:06 PM.

Back to top

#6 gtrboyy

Lotsa Posts!

Members
3,241 posts

Location:SYDNEY,NSW
Joined: 07-November 05

Posted 27 December 2005 - 12:17 AM

Good job & they work really well to.

Back to top

#7 _MAWLER_

Guests

Posted 28 December 2005 - 08:22 AM

Hey Aidan, nice job with the fans. I've got my AU fans sitting here which I was planning to do over the next week or so, can you give me a few tips on what it takes to fit them? The most difficult bit looks like trying to squeeze it between the top and bottom radiator hoses, did you have to trim the shroud? How did you fix it; through the radiator? I was also unsure if my alternator would handle the extra work, have you noticed any troubles with it since installing the fans?

Thanks in advance for saving me a couple of hours head scratching

Cheers,

Liam.

Back to top

#8 _uc253_

Guests

Posted 28 December 2005 - 01:34 PM

Hey Liam, Aidan here on dad's account. The install is relatively straight forward. Its best to take the radiator out of the car to measure up and trial fit the fans. There are some lugs on the fans with a preexisting bolt hole, grind these off flush with the sides of the fan shroud. Next flip the fans upside down and position to your liking on the radiator. (I put the lip on the now bottom of the fans onto the top of the bottom water tank (bottom of fins) where the automatic cooler lines situate and positioned the fans in the middle of the radiator. Its essential that they are situated in the middle of the radiator as there is very little clearance on the chasis rails. Then mark out the cuts for your radiator hoses and automatic cooler lines if you need to and get the angle grinder out, be generous as there is plenty of shroud just dont expect to get it perfect the first go. Once this was done, I drilled a hole in the other lugs on the fans and a hole on radiator lip, I put a bolt through theses with a copper shim inbetween the radiator and fan to stop the plastic shroud from overtightening and increase strength. I didn't secure them at the bottom as it was very rigid, but I did make up some L-brackets to secure them at the bottom but decided they weren't needed. I then slid the radiator back into place, you may have to adjust your fan installation slightly for chasis rail clearance, or alternative grind 2mm of the chasis rail lip on either side.. its not noticeable.

Wiring is easy i'll give you a link to dave's website for that, just remember to earth the relays

I got the thermo switch installed from natrad in joondalup, one of dave's mate cost $40 for the switch and $30 installation.

Yes your alternator gets a pounding, I need to upgrade mine as it can't handle the voltage and my battery light wont go off.

http://www.thehatchback.tk/ go to work in progress and scroll down to his fan installation, he shows you a wiring diagram and the copper shim

Back to top

#9 _[BOTTLEDUP]_

Guests

Posted 29 December 2005 - 06:51 PM

Grab a VT 5 litre Commo alternator.

Nice install Aidan and the car's looking sweet too.
Saw you made the latest edition of PSC, nice work there (even if it was in an ad) just need to tidy up the engine bay and it'll be mint!

Back to top

#10 _Aidan_

Guests

Posted 29 December 2005 - 11:37 PM

hey dave yup it was an ad, thats the mob that did my gas installation. The engine has wires running everywhere, I dont know really where to start to get it looking tidy :blink:

Any idea on the price of one of those alternators?

Back to top

#11 _MAWLER_

Guests

Posted 30 December 2005 - 05:06 PM

Thanks heaps Aidan, thats just the sort of info I need to get it going. I'll be attacking it tomorrow so we'll see how it goes.

That VT alternator, does that bolt straight up and the belt line straight up or does it need some modding?

Cheers,

Edited by Liam, 30 December 2005 - 05:08 PM.

Back to top

#12 gtrboyy

Lotsa Posts!

Members
3,241 posts

Location:SYDNEY,NSW
Joined: 07-November 05

Posted 30 December 2005 - 06:35 PM

Or grab 1 from a vs so you can use a std alt bracket & belt.You just run 1 wire to your positive for load sensing,1 for alt light & the positive battery cable.But I put in aftermarket 80-85 amp from rares,the above way is how ive done mates cars.Hope this helps

Back to top

#13 _MAWLER_

Guests

Posted 03 January 2006 - 09:27 PM

Hey Aidan, what sort was the thermo switch you had fitted, what temp do the fans come on?

So far so good with the fitment, if not a little behind scheduale

Peace,

Back to top

#14 _Aidan_

Guests

Posted 03 January 2006 - 10:33 PM

hey liam, not sure what the switch is, i took it to dave's mates shop in joondalup and told him i wanted to spend $30 - 40 on a switch i want it to have to plugs to make it easier to wire up (earth from relays and earths from fans) and told him it got hot sitting at the lights. It comes on at about 85C and shuts off at 80C

Back to top

#15 Lima31

Forum Fixture

Members
874 posts

Name:Lee
Location:Perth WA
Joined: 18-April 10

Posted 08 June 2010 - 09:47 PM

I'll bump this thread with more detail as I've just done an AU install on an LH with 308.

The AU fan setup just fits between unmodified rails, provided you grind back almost all the plastic on the edges of the fan housing (slightly wider around the fans). You need to check as you install and place it that you are not compressing the fan shrouds and fouling the fans - reach through and spin the fans to check they rotate freely. Mine sits in place tightly without fouling the fans, you only really need to secure at the top of the radiator to keep in place.

Aftermarket battery trays seem to conflict with the side of the fan housing, can either modify the battery tray or interference fit it, in which case the battery has to come out if you want to pull the fans out.

With the fans in place you have roughly 55mm between the fans and the crank pulley, about 35mm if you're running a gilmer drive.

The connection point is on the passenger side near the bottom of the radiator. As noted elsewhere the fans draw about 20A on startup then around 10A running, so use 25A wiring with 30A relays and 25A fuses to each.

Back to top

#16 77_LX_HATCH

Forum Fan

Members
329 posts

Location:Adelaide West
Joined: 15-November 05

Posted 08 June 2010 - 11:03 PM

Just a quick add to the AU Thermos.

I found a good switch to use for the relays is a cheap Triden switch, the TFS110. On at 87 off at 82.

Shown here
http://www.tridon.co...35&G=483&P=2014

Packet said it was off a Diahatsu Charade...

Picked it up from Repco for under 30 bucks. Works well too, car sits just under 180 cruising (160 thermostat) and max reaches 190 before the fans come on.

I went with this switch as i was hessitant about putting those controllers into the radiator hose, or screwing into the radiator, heard nothing but leaks result. This one just screws into your manifold.

That said they were a bastard to get in, I eneded up trimming my rails back a bit (not overly concerned about looks or originality etc...).

I tried everything to stop my car overheating, new plastic fans, about 5 different new thermostats, water pump, good coolant, brand new radiator and these babys are the only thing that can keep my car cool on a hot day.

Cheers

Mike