Flex-A-Lite electric fan kit for an 8.1L
12-16-2015, 01:52 PM
#11
There will always be no shortage of guys out there who say electric fans work with big blocks and diesels but the bottom line is that it comes down entirely to how you use your truck and what climate you live in. Generally speaking, within the confines of an OEM sized radiator, there are no 12v electric fans strong enough to keep a loaded big block cool. The stock clutch fan, when locked up, is capable of moving far more air across the radiator than any arrangement of electrics could. As long as you don't tow much, or try to sustain any more than 20% throttle on grades, or live in a hot arid region, electric fans might work for an 8.1. The highest risk is a combination of load, high ambient temps, and low speed. If you want to keep your tow rating or if the thought of blasting the heater inside your truck when it's overheating sounds unpleasant, skip the e-fans all together.
12-16-2015, 05:35 PM
#12
Interesting. I do live in TN, and tow around the southeast, in the summer. I don't think the total weight of the rig will even hit 26,000#, but it will almost certainly push 20,000#. There are only a couple of places where there will be steep grades where I'll need to run it somewhat hard. Monteagle on the way too and from Georgia and points south, and through a pass in the Great Smokies toward Charlotte. I'll have to study on it.
12-18-2015, 02:46 PM
#13
TECH Enthusiast
No need to spend big money go to the yard and get fans from 6.0 while you're in there grab the fuse box and everything shouldn't run more than 100 bucks. I got mine for 65.00 and they work great I dont tow everyday just every once and a while. Towed 8k from El Paso to New Mexico and thats not flat land and everything was fine!
12-22-2015, 10:25 PM
#14
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12-23-2015, 05:11 PM
#19
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I guess NM nor TX see 100+ degrees in summer I towed 8k with no problem. There are steep grades going to El Paso and definitely coming back as you climb to a mile high. Think what you will my efans did just fine and never came on. Black bear controls them when they come on/off and also they are dual speed. All i have is a oem Rad and oem water pump.
12-24-2015, 01:31 PM
#20
TECH Enthusiast
NONE at all, just could not move enough air to keep the small block 350 turning a steady 4,000-4,500 rpm cool. I put a Duramax fan and HD Trailblazer SS fan clutch on it and it stays cool even after I put 25% underdrive pulleys on it. Now when the fan clutch couples even at 60-70 mph the temos drop like a rock.