anyone know what kind of electric fans I can use to replace the clutch fan setup on an 02' gmc sierra 2500hd with the 8.1L 496c.i.????? any help is appreciated thanks!

 

fans from a 2005+ truck will bolt right on, you'll need a fan controller

 

well on the 5.3s u can use the impala fans w/o ne manufacturing and very little wiring...dont know if the 8.1 would be the same

 

will a flexalite controller work? I have one left over from my typhoon that I never used. I think its basically the same as a t-stat for the fans. Not sure though

 

From what I've read here, it will work, but alot of guys have had problems with the controllers burning up. Personally, I'd have the PCM tuned to turn the fans on and off, and get a Nelson harness...plug and play piece of cake

 

 

yah, i wouldn't suggest using the VSC controller from Flex-a-Lite, my buddy has an '02 2500hd w/ 6.0l and his truck overheated towing very small stuff, he was very disappointed. I have heard too many bad stories about that controller. on my 5.3 i did LS1 fans, but i don't know if that will work on your 8.1, i still had to fab up brackets to mount it to the radiator. I have a nelson harness, but in my instance i tapped into the pcm so i can control my fan settings with my laptop and my HP Tuners. If you don't have a system like that, you might have to go flex-a-lite just becuase you don't have access to your pcm controls. Or if you did want to do the nelson harness, you could always do a mail order tune like Wait4Me, and tell them you put e-fans on w/ the nelson harness, and he will tune your pcm for whatever temps you want.

 

thanks again guys!

 

-Midnight

I have an '02 Tahoe with the 5.3. If I buy the Impala fans and the Nelson harness, it's pretty much just plug and play, without having to fab any brackets, with the exception of a tune for the PCM? Will any other e-fans work in this manner?

 

If you are going to two with that big thing I would not go with e fans especially if it is hot there. Dont get me wrong they work I just think for towing it is better to stick with the clutch.