Pusher Fan Installation Q.

Mark Brye · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 08:15 PM

I ordered twin pusher fans from Finishline and was looking for input on how to install them in a BDR. I have read posts on different Cobra Manufacturers and how they mount them. Most of the other Cobras have a frame or structure to mount them to.
My question is, should I use the rails and brackets with the Finishline kit and mount brackets to the wheel wells or mount them to the fiberglass surround that supports the radiator?
I would also like to wire the fans to the existing twin puller fans. I had noticed a connector by the radiator on the passenger side that was just zip tied up. It had a yellow and black wire in it. It kind of looks like something that would have been installed by backdraft for wiring in pusher fans. That would sure make the wiring easy....
Does anyone have pics of their installed pusher fans that would show how they are mounted in a BDR?

Thanks!

Cashburn · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 09:08 PM

The wiring I believe you are referring to is for a windshield washer pump (for states that require it).

As for the fans I have done one setup (and if I ever do it again it will cost more

) but I fabbed up custom end brackets to do it. The Finishline fans "rails" took a lot of trimming. You should be able to get a feel for it on car #334 in our gallery:

http://www.vintage-motorsports.com/gallery/customers

MFE III · #3 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 05:16 PM

Mark, there have been many posts here on the subject of whether to wire up the fans or not. Many have suggested that because the inside puller fans and the outer pusher fans will never be in sync, running both will cause turbulence and adversely affect cooling. That logic makes sense to me so I plan on not wiring them. They'll spin based on airflow from the car's motion as well as the puller fan.
Matt

double ugly · #4 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 06:56 PM

I have a big block with pushers and a puller. They all come on via thermostat. In Phoenix at 90 degrees both water and oil peak at 70C. At 100plus degrees they top out at 80C, Absolutly no cooling issues, Why have pushers and not wire them. Have a separate switch if you want.
John

Trueoo7 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 09:07 PM

Mark
I mounted mine through the stainless steel side panels, into the wheel wells so I could put stainless steel bolts and nuts on them. I only used one mounting cross arm to mount the motors to, not two like I've seen in others but believe me its plenty sturdy with just one. Don't mount it to the fiberglass surrond that supports the radiator as it will put the fan blades to close to the face of the radiator with not enough clearance. You want about 3/4" between fans and face, best way to accomplish this is to use a 3/4" thick piece of cardboard taped to the front of the radiator and put your setup with blades attached against it to see where the side mounting brackets will fall.(also helps to protect the radiator) I hooked mine up to a seperate circuit so I can turn them on/off at will. I personally like it better that way. No problem whatsoever with cooling or turbulence. You can tell when the factory fans come on by the light at which point you can switch the pusher fans off if you want. Actually the pusher fans don't do such a bad job anyway. Too bad you hadn't seen my earlier post, I put the whole setup together for about $55, and it looks just like Jay's in the picture. Same color car too !!

Mark Brye · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2006, 10:02 PM

True007,

I went and purchased some brackets today at Home depot to mount the fans as you said. I would also like to add a switch like you did (one supplied with finishline kit). How did you run your wiring? Did you wire the switch all the way to the battery or did you tap into a power source somewhere else?

Is there a trick to drilling hole in the dash for the switch to mount in. I dont want to mess up the vynel on the dash. I am guessing that you would cut a small "x" in the covering then start with a small bit and work up in size?

Trueoo7 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 10:49 PM

Mark
I have to confess, I cheated... since I don't utilize an electric fuel pump, and the car came pre-wired for this I just grabbed that circuit since the toggle switch was already installed and all. I don't think I'd go straight to the battery without an in-line fuse at the very least. I'm sure someone will chime in here...As for the switch in the dashboard, that sounds like the way to do it. Just make sure you have sharp bits so it cuts cleanly. Make sure you route the wire tucked up under the fender and keep it away from anything hot. When you get to the front, I routed mine over the top of the radiator opening and wedged spongy styro foam inside the gap to hold the wire in place since theres nothing in this space to attach to. You can also use duct tape which won't be seen.
I also sanded my motors down to clean white metal and then sprayed them with clear. They look nice and shiny that way.

Mark Brye · #8 (**permalink**) 10-14-2006, 04:01 PM

I think the easiest route is for me to wire the pushers to the existing fans. Does anyone know if the factory BDR fan wiring can handle another two fans on the circuit?

I was also looking at the BDR wiring diagram and it looks like the switch on the dash is supplying a switched ground to the fan relay to open or close the relay contacts for the power. Is this correct?

Is there a spare power source in the fuse panel behind the kick panel that I could possibly run a power lead to if I install my own switch?

Sorry for so many questions!

When I am finished, I will write up how I accomplished the task.

Mark Brye · #9 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 07:57 PM

Well I have the fans installed. I ended up using the brackets that came with the finish line kit. I had to cut the fan bracket/angle irons down to the correct length and re-drill all of the mounting holes in the brackets.
I have ran the fan wiring up and under the dash and thru a big grommet that BDR had under the dash in the passenger footwell. I still have to wire the fans in but have that figured out. I have purchased a relay from the local auto parts store. BDR has two spare wires under the dash by the fuse panel that are available for after market items. One is a red wire (12 volt) and the other is a red with blue stripe wire (12V ignition switched). I still have to track down which fuse is used for either of these wires but will figure that out tomorrow night. Anyone know which fuse goes to these spare power wires?
I am going to use the red/blue wire to go to the relay for power and coil excitation and run a ground from the ground coil excitation to the switched ground on the dash that is used for the existing manual turn on fan switch on the dash. That way when I want to, I will flip the switch on the dash and it will turn on the existing puller fan and also the new pusher fans.