Cam or Fans
07-08-2010, 10:43 AM
#41
07-08-2010, 11:45 AM
#42
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You state that you havent done a cam swap yet, so how can you recommend fans over a cam??
I did fans on both of my RCSB's, yes it revs a hair faster, yes it is a bit more responsive, and I noticed an increase in economy in my 2000, however all the fans do is free up power that is lost using a clutch fan. They do nothing to actually make more power. The cam on the other hand lets more air/fuel/exhaust flow, thereby actually making more power.
A cam swap is easy, cam and springs isnt hard, just a PITA without a decent spring compressor. 4hrs tops without springs.
Either way you need a re-tune, either to turn pin 42 on for the fans, or for the cam (one worth swapping at least) so personally, I (and most people with experience with cams) say do the cam.
If money is tight, e-fans are better than a clutch fan, but if you want to see gains, and youre split between a cam swap and e-fans, do the cam for sure.
07-08-2010, 11:49 AM
#43
I could tell an immediate HP/acceleration difference between stock fan/e-fans on BOTH my Silverado and Tahoe. It's a known fact that manual fans cost 10-15HP and people HOPE to gain that much out of a CAI or a low restriction muffler.
As someone else mentioned, getting rid of the "tornado" sound was another big plus. I always hated sounding like a MAC truck.
Honestly I don't understand all the whining that people make about how "hard and expensive" e-fans are. There are 2 routes:
1- LS1 fans for the small 28" radiators = $50-$75 used on ebay
2- 05 fans for the larger 34" radiators = $250 new on ebay
Either way, after the fans if you are willing to take some time and enjoy doing your own work, making a fully working factory style 3 relay (Hi/Low) harness is an afternoon/evening project that can be done for less than $100 (I know....I have made the harnesses for both my vehicles). The only part you can't buy is the pins that go into the computer (at least I have not been able to find them). BUT, the solution is to find an old LS1 computer harness that has been cut (wrecking yard) and you can pull the pins and re-solder them to your harness.
So, end result is as others have stated:
LS1 fans = ~$150
05 fans = ~$350
As far as mounting them, if mounting a pair of fans on a truck is "difficult" for you, how the hell do you EVER manage to even change your own plugs much less install a cam?
- 05 fans are a bolt on deal.
- The LS1 fans are an easy install if you just use the "zip-tie" like things that are used to mount oil coolers/tranny coolers to radiators. This is how my LS1 fans were mounted for 4 years and they worked wonderfully. Just sit the bottom of the fans on the lower radiator support so the radiator core does not carry weight. Then the "zip-ties" simply keep the fans from falling off.
So...YES! Camshaft WILL give more HP than fans. Nobody on here would be stupid enough to argue against that. BUT, I think the unanimous agreement of those saying to fans is that fans are something that should be done IN PREPARATION for other hot rodding of the vehicle. It frees up HP, it allows you to adjust the cooling temps to prevent detonation, you can turn the fans on/off in relationship to the AC needs. It's the same as doing a cam before doing a CAI, exhaust, etc. Sure the cam nets you more than any one of the others, but you can't take full advantage of it.
Ok, end of my rant
As someone else mentioned, getting rid of the "tornado" sound was another big plus. I always hated sounding like a MAC truck.
Honestly I don't understand all the whining that people make about how "hard and expensive" e-fans are. There are 2 routes:
1- LS1 fans for the small 28" radiators = $50-$75 used on ebay
2- 05 fans for the larger 34" radiators = $250 new on ebay
Either way, after the fans if you are willing to take some time and enjoy doing your own work, making a fully working factory style 3 relay (Hi/Low) harness is an afternoon/evening project that can be done for less than $100 (I know....I have made the harnesses for both my vehicles). The only part you can't buy is the pins that go into the computer (at least I have not been able to find them). BUT, the solution is to find an old LS1 computer harness that has been cut (wrecking yard) and you can pull the pins and re-solder them to your harness.
So, end result is as others have stated:
LS1 fans = ~$150
05 fans = ~$350
As far as mounting them, if mounting a pair of fans on a truck is "difficult" for you, how the hell do you EVER manage to even change your own plugs much less install a cam?
- 05 fans are a bolt on deal.
- The LS1 fans are an easy install if you just use the "zip-tie" like things that are used to mount oil coolers/tranny coolers to radiators. This is how my LS1 fans were mounted for 4 years and they worked wonderfully. Just sit the bottom of the fans on the lower radiator support so the radiator core does not carry weight. Then the "zip-ties" simply keep the fans from falling off.
So...YES! Camshaft WILL give more HP than fans. Nobody on here would be stupid enough to argue against that. BUT, I think the unanimous agreement of those saying to fans is that fans are something that should be done IN PREPARATION for other hot rodding of the vehicle. It frees up HP, it allows you to adjust the cooling temps to prevent detonation, you can turn the fans on/off in relationship to the AC needs. It's the same as doing a cam before doing a CAI, exhaust, etc. Sure the cam nets you more than any one of the others, but you can't take full advantage of it.
Ok, end of my rant
07-08-2010, 12:15 PM
#44
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White1- the only reason I say fans first is because of the price and the fact that they do net gains-even if small-it's still worth it.
Cam is lot more money- and sounds like he doesn't have a lot sitting around. Fans are like what, 100 bucks tops? I bought my harness and fans together for 100.
I don't understand why you're making such a big deal of my recommendation. I already stated I haven't done a cam swap yet. Next time would you like me to lie and say I have?
And like earlier stated, if money is so tight that you can't get a set of 100-150 dollar fans to support your cam swap-you need a new hobby.
No harm meant, no harm taken!
Cam is lot more money- and sounds like he doesn't have a lot sitting around. Fans are like what, 100 bucks tops? I bought my harness and fans together for 100.
I don't understand why you're making such a big deal of my recommendation. I already stated I haven't done a cam swap yet. Next time would you like me to lie and say I have?
And like earlier stated, if money is so tight that you can't get a set of 100-150 dollar fans to support your cam swap-you need a new hobby.
No harm meant, no harm taken!
Last edited by 1LOW4X4; 07-08-2010 at 12:21 PM.
07-08-2010, 12:18 PM
#45
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And also, 2 amps of power loss at idle might worry some, and others may be completely oblivious. I notice it, and don't care for it, but just like anything else you'll have to change things to support it.
Did you whine when you had to change your valve springs when you did your cam? No, because that's part of it.
Did you whine when you had to change your valve springs when you did your cam? No, because that's part of it.
07-08-2010, 12:45 PM
#46
And also, 2 amps of power loss at idle might worry some, and others may be completely oblivious. I notice it, and don't care for it, but just like anything else you'll have to change things to support it.
Did you whine when you had to change your valve springs when you did your cam? No, because that's part of it.
Did you whine when you had to change your valve springs when you did your cam? No, because that's part of it.
However, I am running a Hi/Low setup so I don't go from OFF-to-High in one shot but rather ramp up from OFF-to-Low-to-High. This really helps take the shock load out of it (if that is what people are referring to as 'power loss').
07-08-2010, 12:54 PM
#48
