So I've been thinking about doing the swap from the manual fan to an electric fan. I've found a cool Perma-Cool kit that I could swap in but that would run me right around 500 dollars. Is there a cheaper way to do it? And what all would need to be done?

I'm planning electric fans, headers, exhaust, CAI, and a tune in the next few months.

 

Flex-a-lite has an application for you as well that is around $400 I believe.

 

I put 05 truck Efans in my 95 Tahoe sport i had.

Fit perfect, just had to make two brackets to hold the top in. Easy.

Then i used a Mr. Gasket thermostatic control setup.

I had 160$ in the whole setup.

I have pics on Tahoe/Yukon Forum. Just Search my name.

 

A buddy of mine on this forum had the Perma-Cools on his 97 and we had to cut a new notch where the hood spring was because it was in the wrong spot. He had them for around a month, but they gave him problems. He went back to the manual clutch fan. I've heard good things about the flex-a-lite fans but like TIM Z said, any E-fan can be swapped in with a little modification and brackets.

 

Thanks guys. I found some used elles Juan fans so I mitt get those and use them.

ChevyMan90 I pretty much want my truck to look like yours. Killer truck man. What kind of drop do you have on that and how do you like those pacesetters?

 

We went to the local swap meet and one of the part sales guys had the cheap electric fans. We bought a pair of 16" fans for his 32" radiator setup, bolted them on. $70 for both. Then, we bought a Flex-a-lite Fan controller for $150.

You don't need the controller - you can use a thermostatic switch that screws in the head to control your on off, with a relay. For a cheap setup, I'd recommend running one fan on high for the temp, and the other reserved for A/C. If not, run them both low speed for engine cooling, with a relay and toggle for high speed operation when needed.

These cheap fans move a TON of air. I bought a pair for my sisters 99 Tahoe (Old body GMT400). I powered them up in my workroom and with one 16" fan running, it shut the door behind me. (Not kidding).

I honestly think Flex-a-lite fans are overpriced for what they really are - Molded plastic.

 

I used a pair of fans from a 97 z28, picked them up from a junkyard for 30 bucks. I agree with TrickyTransAm, people pay way too much for fans. Pretty much every stock fan works killer and you can pick them up for cheap.

 

I bought my 05 GM E-fans "New" off of Ebay for $250
(Mine required the 34" radiator however)
I paid more for this...but it was a direct bolt in. No custom brackets required. Slid right onto the 34" radiator, and bolted directly into the core support.

The new aftermarket Fans were like $35 each.
The 01 Camaro E-fans cost me $80 for my co-workers car.
We bought the controller because I wanted it to be transparent for him. Kick on at the specified temp, and kick off when done. Because he was using an old 105 amp alternator, I didn't want a huge power surge, so the controller helped with that. So far so good.

I'll see if I can get a video of the cheapo 16" fans that ROCK.

Whichever way you go, make sure you match the current draw with the relay. Usually dual fans will pull upwards of 40A, so you want to relay/wire/fuse appropriately.