Is this a normal setup on a stock Alpha?

[amrg]

I realized recently that my truck has more than one fan in the engine bay. Unlike the I5 which has one clutch fan between the engine and the radiator, there are two additional (seem to be electric) fans installed between the radiator and the grille. The horn is re-located right behind the passenger side head lamp with some sort of sound dampener placed between it and the rear of the headlamp housing.

 

[3rdH3]

Not a factory setup.

 

[amrg]

Not a factory setup.

Apparently it is. I'm not sure if its a SA model thing or just region specific (only 50 Alphas were sold in this region). The fans seem to work randomly, one would be working/other stopped, then alternate, and sometimes both at the same time. Don't know how much this improves cooling in the summer, the I5 used to go 3/4 the way up, the Alpha seems to be completely steady at less than half way, even went wheeling and no change.

 

[3rdH3]

Sorry I didn't notice your location. I guess it could be for your region. I have never seen that before. Good that it's working.

 

[Hunner]

That is different. It would seem two electric fans would restrict the airflow of the engine driven fan. I can maybe see at idle sitting they could help but at speed unless they keep up they would restrict free flow?
Is one on an added oil cooler maybe?

 

[amrg]

That is different. It would seem two electric fans would restrict the airflow of the engine driven fan. I can maybe see at idle sitting they could help but at speed unless they keep up they would restrict free flow?
Is one on an added oil cooler maybe?

Ive been looking around to see if there is anything its cooling behind it. Nothing but the radiator. I could pick up the brand (SPAL Italy). Googled it and got spalautomotive.com which makes oem application fans. Also found out that its sold by pcmforless.

 

[LagunaH1]

Interesting, my 08 alpha did not have this setup. Gotta be region specific

 

[amrg]

I went today to the GM spare parts department, initially to see how much they'd charge me for sliders ($580 discounted from an initial $1200!!!!!), and later on I decided to ask about this setup. The sales adviser was at a loss to explain why I had H4 type headlamps, as well as the additional fan configuration as well as the relocation of the stock horn behind the passenger side headlamp. However he showed me the electric fan setup on GMC series trucks, and I believe its the exact same thing.

http://store.gmpartshouse.com/parts/2012/GMC/SIERRA%201500/SL/?siteid=214638&vehicleid=1502652&diagram=GH07090


Anyway, the outside temp is 100 degrees, the engine temp runs constantly at just below the half line (it always ran at that level even when the weather was colder). I'll update what I find as the weather gets hotter outside.

 

[Sennin]

It's normal on the South African Build V8, they experienced overheating problems and had to do the modification on the V8. Therefore one of the reasons the V8 build in SA could not be clasified as a Alpha. You will see one fan switches on when you put on your aircon :thumbs:

 

[amrg]

You will see one fan switches on when you put on your aircon :thumbs:

I was wondering how the fans would come to work. I'll check that today! Do they have a part number? The fan manufacturer has a rating to how many hours those fans would work before being replaced, and the dealer here has no idea they exist on H3s (for other GM trucks they do know)
I was also wondering about the headers you installed, any improvements?

 

[Sennin]

I was wondering how the fans would come to work. I'll check that today! Do they have a part number? The fan manufacturer has a rating to how many hours those fans would work before being replaced, and the dealer here has no idea they exist on H3s (for other GM trucks they do know)
I was also wondering about the headers you installed, any improvements?

I know of no problems with the fans locally, but will contact GM and find some more info for you.

Regarding the headers, it made a massive difference, my fuel consumption is back to the same figures when stock, but with 35" tires, roof rack, etc.

 

[amrg]

Regarding the headers, it made a massive difference, my fuel consumption is back to the same figure s when stock, but with 35" tires, roof rack, etc.

So im guessing you also got a big boost in power? Does your source make more headers or was it a one time custom job?

 

[Sennin]

So im guessing you also got a big boost in power? Does your source make more headers or was it a one time custom job?

Jip, noticeable performance gain, I got it from Viper performance exhaust, they have designed the performance headers so you can pre order it and have it powder coated, and then just take the vehicle for fitment, think there should be something similar available in Qatar?

 

[amrg]

think there should be something similar available in Qatar?

To be honest "Headers" are an illegal mod here, which is why people drive to a neighboring country to get custom ones installed. I just looked at this site http://viperperformance.co.za , I think this is the vendor right? They have the application for 3050 rand, thats like 340 dollars? Was their anything necessary to do the install? Do you have any pictures? I think many others on this forum would be interested too since I haven't seen any headers application for the Alpha!

 

[Sennin]

To be honest "Headers" are an illegal mod here, which is why people drive to a neighboring country to get custom ones installed. I just looked at this site http://viperperformance.co.za , I think this is the vendor right? They have the application for 3050 rand, thats like 340 dollars? Was their anything necessary to do the install? Do you have any pictures? I think many others on this forum would be interested too since I haven't seen any headers application for the Alpha!

Jip, I worked directly with Abel at Viper performance. R8.8 = $1 at this moment but fluctuates quite a lot the last few days. but youre calc is close enough :thumbs:
I did the free flow as well, and also the powder coating, so my full system cost ~R 12,000 ($1,363) and was worth it.

The install is easy, you just need small hands lol, I had them install it for me, as well as some mini cat/cat foolers. had the CEL on each time I started the hummer for about two weeks and then it was gone (reset it each time with bully dog)

Photo's I dont have a lot, will have to take some for you

 

[amrg]

I did the free flow as well, and also the powder coating, so my full system cost ~R 12,000 ($1,363) and was worth it.

The install is easy, you just need small hands lol, I had them install it for me, as well as some mini cat/cat foolers. had the CEL on each time I started the hummer for about two weeks and then it was gone (reset it each time with bully dog)

Photo's I dont have a lot, will have to take some for you

Im not sure what you mean with the free flow, as in u removed the cat converter?

 

[Sennin]

Im not sure what you mean with the free flow, as in u removed the cat converter?

Jip, thats exactly it

 

[amrg]

I can maybe see at idle sitting they could help but at speed unless they keep up they would restrict free flow?

The temps outside were about 106-108 degrees today and yesterday. The needle on the temp gauge never moved about the half indicator, it seems to be stuck right below it. I've been doing city driving, not much highway. I'll update as the temp outside gets hotter.

 

[Sennin]

The temps outside were about 106-108 degrees today and yesterday. The needle on the temp gauge never moved about the half indicator, it seems to be stuck right below it. I've been doing city driving, not much highway. I'll update as the temp outside gets hotter.

I have had mine in 42degree temps and the needle still stayd just below half, the BullyDog monitor however did show an increase in radiator temp from the normal 90degrees to 105 degrees C

 

[LagunaH1]

I wish mine had had this setup, it sounds like it performs real well.

 

[Sennin]

I wish mine had had this setup, it sounds like it performs real well.

Especially if you look at how vent deprived my Hummer is with the ARB and Lightforce 240's up front, I really cant complain :giggle:

 

[06 H3]

Do the E fans up front had a shroud? Or are they just mounted there? I have cooling issues in the summer. Fan clutch was out have that in the garage waiting for replacement but now with the winch blocking flow I was thinking if I could add a push fan in addition to the stock fan I could keep my motor cool. It seems to be working for you guys really well.

 

[LagunaH1]

Do the E fans up front had a shroud? Or are they just mounted there? I have cooling issues in the summer. Fan clutch was out have that in the garage waiting for replacement but now with the winch blocking flow I was thinking if I could add a push fan in addition to the stock fan I could keep my motor cool. It seems to be working for you guys really well.

If you can find the necessary data, see about "doing the math", meaning: A push fan will cause some obstruction of air flow simply by being in the way of the air. I bet a push fan vendor would be able to provide some data on the amount of air the fan can move, and how much it restricts airflow when not on.

 

[06 H3]

Very true. Some of the members here gave done a lot of research on this and may have answers.

I think a shroud is our of the question due to air flow blockage. Just a push fan mounted up by itself will restrict less. mounting a smaller one on the lower portion of the rad may help seeing flow is almost non existent with the winch in the way.

 

[RamRod]

mounting a smaller one on the lower portion of the rad may help seeing flow is almost non existent with the winch in the way.

That would help I'd think!