Flex-a-lite Electric Rad Fan

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Old May 14, 2010 | 04:21 AM
  #1  
kore2000's Avatar
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Flex-a-lite Electric Rad Fan

Has anyone used or had experience with the electric rad fans for the CL?

I have a 2001 Acura CL-Type S that has a broken fan shroud and a radiator leak. I have temporarily patched the leak but want to replace the entire unit with an all-aluminum radiator and 2 of these electric fans for the increased cooling. The only problem is I'm not even sure if these will even wire up to the fan switch.

Also, because I know people are going to recommend OEM, i'm seriously thinking of turbocharging the car at some point and want to upgrade the cooling system, rather than just repairing it. I've got a fab man who does really good work at a fairly low price and I know he would love to fab a kit for the CL for me.

Any help or input on the electric rad fans would be appreciated. Thank you.
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Old May 14, 2010 | 11:12 AM
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richardparker's Avatar
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I don't see any issue with wiring in after market fans.
even if it was not possible to wire it in to the factory, you could wire your own switches.
Definitly get some stuff fabed up.
That's where the oridgenality is.
I know my spelling sucks.
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Old May 14, 2010 | 04:12 PM
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Ive used Flex-a-lite fans in the past and I love them. I have not used them on the CL though, but they shouldn't be difficult to wire up. Its two wires.

BTW, I have a turbo kit for sale.
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Old May 14, 2010 | 08:03 PM
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Thank you for the replies. I did see your kit Civic and it is for a good price, but I won't be buying this until at least 2-3 months from now. If it is still there by then, I might just scoop it up.

Also, I'm mostly just looking for piece of mind for the install. In theory everything should just bolt up and wire up, but there are always gremlins. I was hoping someone had installed them and used them successfully so I knew what to expect.
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Old May 14, 2010 | 09:51 PM
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What about thinjim ?
He has a pretty raced out cl.He probally has some electric fans
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Old May 14, 2010 | 10:44 PM
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im running an autozone electric fan. i cut off the wire connector from the oem fan and soldered it to the new fan to keep the harness side oem, doesnt fit perfect so youve got to fab something up but it works great and ive never had a problem w/ it.
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Old May 14, 2010 | 11:00 PM
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wiring issues none factory controls fans through relays anyways, so just a matter of hooking the wires up to the stock wires (even then i would cut off the connectors on the stock fans, so you do not have to molest the stock wiring on the chassis at all)

but what i would do really though is leave the stock fans in place, then add aftermarket fans to the front of the radiator, and use all 3 or 4 fans (look at stock vw's and audis, not the best example lol, but anyways they got a fan on the front and rear of the radiator from the factory, to help maximize the flow when sitting

also as far as needing the additional airflow, not totally needed cause once you start moving, the airflow from that overcomes the fans, and you should not be there trying to boost for minutes at a time just sitting there anyways (but for like here in colorado (air is thin), that additional flow would be helpful especially for the A/C condensor during the summer, but otherwise not mandatory though, cause the a/c should just turn off to protect the engine)
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Old May 14, 2010 | 11:02 PM
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and richard about thinjim, i don't think he will (maybe one, just enough) cause he only goes a 1/4 at a time, so cooling is not really necessary, cause the whole front end just gets pulled off at the end
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Old May 14, 2010 | 11:30 PM
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Turbo + 2nd Gen CL auto tranny = explosion
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Old May 15, 2010 | 12:52 PM
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As everyone has stated, cut the connector off the old fan and solder it to the new fan.

When I installed my fans, they came with these:

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Gasket-1994.../dp/B00068OP3E

They slide through the fins on the radiator and secure the fan to it.

Before you install the fan, take a 9v battery, or a car battery, and test the wires to see which way the fan should spin. Do the same to the stock fan once its out to see which wires need to be connected to each other.

If you have the room, I suggest wiring it up as a pusher fan (on the front of the rad) for maximum space between the engine and the radiator - especially if you upgrade to a larger, more efficient radiator.
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Old May 17, 2010 | 03:22 PM
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So you think I should eliminate the stock fans and wire the flexlite fans as pusher fans and be done with it?
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Old May 17, 2010 | 04:00 PM
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Thats what I would do.
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Old May 18, 2010 | 11:10 PM
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that would be a great DIY thread ! hint hint
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Old May 18, 2010 | 11:46 PM
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i got both fans forsale.
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