28" or 34" radiator???

HanibalTheCannibal · #1 05-31-2007, 07:45 PM

I am in the mood for an electric fan setup. I am going with a direct fit unit (flex-a-lite 292) but I cannot tell if I have a 28" or 34" (flex-a-lite 282) radiator...

When I measure across the entire radiator, its a tad under 34". But when I measure the fin area, its like a tad under 28".

Some places I see call a 34" radiator when the fins measure 34"....

SO What do I have???????

BlenderWizard · #2 05-31-2007, 08:13 PM

You're seriously gonna pay that for the FAL's? Why on earth would you do that? the LS1's look at least as original as those.

You have a 28"

HanibalTheCannibal · #3 05-31-2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlenderWizard

You're seriously gonna pay that for the FAL's? Why on earth would you do that?
You have a 28"

Thanks for the clarification on the radiator.

As far as going with the FAL, I considered all options.

LS1 Option:
$100 LS1 fans
$90 Harness from Nelson
$375 Tuned PCM from Nelson
$25 Miscellaneous Fab parts to mount

$590 total
$638.68 after tax
$30 shipping (15 for pcm, 15 for harness)
-----------------------------------
$668.68 Grand total

Flex-A-Lite Option:
$350 Flex-a-lite #292
$0 shipping
$0 tax
------------------------------------
$350 Grand total

I also like the idea of a direct fit (FAL). The flex-a-lites have updated VSC's so they resolved the meltdown issue. I just think it is better all the way around. Of course, I wont have a nelson tune, but I think with my all stock motor I will be ok for now. Trust me, I would love the tuned pcm, but I have a baby on the way in like 3 weeks

and a 2500 mile (one way) trip in 12 weeks. My wife is on maternal leave, and well you get the idea.

So I guess it is the money.

BlenderWizard · #4 05-31-2007, 09:40 PM

Two things:

1) Where are you getting the FAL's for $350; everywhere I've seen them they are $550

2)DON'T GET A NELSON TUNE. He's too damn high. Get a Wheatley. Going to e-fans without a tune is pointless, and with a tune is questionable. If you've got that much money burning a hole in your pocket, get a tune first.

You are also forgetting about upgrading your alt. The stock 105 won't handle the load, so you're looking at at least $100 more for the alt and belt.

BlenderWizard · #5 05-31-2007, 09:44 PM

Frankly, looking back on it, I kinda wish I had the money back that I spent on my fans. I can't tell much of a difference at all unless I raise the hood.

HanibalTheCannibal · #6 05-31-2007, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlenderWizard

Two things:

1) Where are you getting the FAL's for $350; everywhere I've seen them they are $550

2)DON'T GET A NELSON TUNE. He's too damn high. Get a Wheatley. Going to e-fans without a tune is pointless, and with a tune is questionable. If you've got that much money burning a hole in your pocket, get a tune first.

I cant say where I found the fal for $350 cuz there is only one left

I actually want both, like I said, but there is just more money. I am after MPG only at this point. I understand a tune can get me 1.5 mpg MAYBE but I know a e-fan set could net 15hp and 3 mpg.

I installed a camper shell last year and it helped highway driving (and mpg) GREATLY. I am just trying to squeeze all I can. I am sort of old school. I want to keep this truck stock as I can. I think they should have come with e-fans, so I am doing that. I have the latest GM PCM codes put in when I bought it summer 05. They made some changes to the PCM for me.

choices. I may get a tune once I have the fan in, and that way I am not dependant on the PCM for the fan to work, you know? ugh..........

HanibalTheCannibal · #7 05-31-2007, 09:46 PM

PS I am getting the 145 AMP alternator next. Thats a definite.

BlenderWizard · #8 05-31-2007, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HanibalTheCannibal

I actually want both, like I said, but there is just more money. I am after MPG only at this point. I understand a tune can get me 1.5 mpg MAYBE but I know a e-fan set could net 15hp and 3 mpg.

I hate to burst your bubble, but that's just wrong. You'll net MAYBE 7 HP at the wheels, and 0 - 0.5 MPG gain with the fans.

I did it, and I have been monitoring my MPG. If it moved, I haven't noticed. I was hoping for +1 MPG, and I didn't even get that.

HanibalTheCannibal · #9 05-31-2007, 09:53 PM

Oh on another vote for the fans:
I am going to be living in New Hampshire this winter. The Mechanical fan is turning even when diengaged, hampering engine warm up. The E-fan will allow quicker engine warm up allowing for further MPG gains over the mechanical fan.

It gets pretty darn cold up there, and I am all for a quicker warm up

HanibalTheCannibal · #10 05-31-2007, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlenderWizard

I did it, and I have been monitoring my MPG. If it moved, I haven't noticed.

Did you get a performance tune or something? I notice you have alot of mods to the truck. I will have a good baseline to determine the mpg gains cause it is all stock. I have been recording MPG for over two years now, and I know what affects my mpg and all. I will be able to tell the mpg gains easily.

I am still gonna go for it I think, if not mpg, then the quicker engine warm up will be a reason

Some people have to block off the front of their grills in the winter or their thermostat will never open, allowing the heater core to warm the cab

BlenderWizard · #11 05-31-2007, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HanibalTheCannibal

Oh on another vote for the fans:
I am going to be living in New Hampshire this winter. The Mechanical fan is turning even when diengaged, hampering engine warm up. The E-fan will allow quicker engine warm up allowing for further MPG gains over the mechanical fan.

It gets pretty darn cold up there, and I am all for a quicker warm up

It's obvious there's no reasoning with you, so believe everything you want, but don't come whining when you realize everything you believe is wrong. If you won't believe someone who has done the mod, then that's just dumb.

BlenderWizard · #12 05-31-2007, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HanibalTheCannibal

Did you get a performance tune or something? I notice you have alot of mods to the truck. I will have a good baseline to determine the mpg gains cause it is all stock. I have been recording MPG for over two years now, and I know what affects my mpg and all. I will be able to tell the mpg gains easily.

I am still gonna go for it I think, if not mpg, then the quicker engine warm up will be a reason

Some people have to block off the front of their grills in the winter or their thermostat will never open, allowing the heater core to warm the cab

I got an 87 octane MPG tune; it got me another 2 MPG.

HanibalTheCannibal · #13 05-31-2007, 10:06 PM

Wow! I never meant to sound like I am trying to disregard your experience. I promosie not to come "whining" and I doubt everything I believe is wrong

I notice you have a 160 thermostat. You realize that 200 degrees (engine temp) can get more mpg? Maybe that is why you didnt get the gain? Your e-fan upgrade was offset by the 160 t-stat maybe.

I sincerely appreciate your help in clarifying the radiator size for me. I may have ordered the wrong size.

BlenderWizard · #14 06-01-2007, 08:46 AM

Man, you gotta get some things straight. A 160 t stat will only effect MPG if the vehicle is NOT tuned for it, and it stays in "warm up" mode for an extended period. Most "bolt on" mods are completely pointless unless the PCM is recalibrated for those mods, and a colder t stat is a good example.

My tstat had been in there for about a year before my fans went in.

HanibalTheCannibal · #15 06-01-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlenderWizard

Man, you gotta get some things straight. A 160 t stat will only effect MPG if the vehicle is NOT tuned for it.

I havent heard of a 160 t-stat tune. How do you tune for a 35 degree cooler thermostat?

PS I was wondering about the TB Coolant bypass thing too, I see that in your sig. Can you explain what that is?

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