Electric Fan Conversion

[Crank]

That was my question too - where does the VAC harness plug into? Anything else special about the install? I’m no electrician, I can do the mechanical part I’m sure, but I hope not to have to do too much electrically.

Anyone know?

I called VAC but a 16 year old girl answered the phone and asked me what engine is in an 88 E30 M3.

[Crank]

Is the VAC harness really plug and play or are extra steps required?

That was my question too - where does the VAC harness plug into? Anything else special about the install? I’m no electrician, I can do the mechanical part I’m sure, but I hope not to have to do too much electrically.

[Steve88M3]

Is the VAC harness really plug and play or are extra steps required?

[1990m3]

Remove front bumper.
install fan.
Reinstall front bumper.

Ez. Really.

I always just pulled the grills and slipped it in that way

[irdave]

Remember when I said my car was a little different? I dropped it in the hole and pushed the connectors through... Part 2002, part m3, part racecar... Whaddyado?

[mlytle]

Is there a DIY somewhere for this install?

I have little to no idea how to do this, but I’d really like to.

Remove front bumper.
install fan.
Reinstall front bumper.

Ez. Really.

[irdave]

Is there a DIY somewhere for this install?

I have little to no idea how to do this, but I’d really like to.

I don't think it's really that hard- but for sure my car is different. I replaced the radiator. But I have no puller fan behind the radiator, no AC stuff left in front of the radiator- so I basically just have the radiator sitting there by itself. The 13" fan fits inside against the fins, their kit is a little weird the first time, but pretty straight forward. I can take a couple of pics for you if it would help-

[Crank]

Is there a DIY somewhere for this install?

I have little to no idea how to do this, but I’d really like to.

[irdave]

I just installed a Spal 13" high performance pusher on the front a Mishimoto e30 m3 replacement radiator, fits perfect using one of the generic mount kits. I think the 14 would be too big. I'm controlling it with a Haltech, but I used the factory fan wiring, with the resistor, and connected it to the fan. Works absolutely as it did before with 2 speed settings, so I would assume the stock ECU would control it just fine.

[autox320]

I use to have dual spals when kept the AC. HP 13" puller with 10" straight blade on the front of the AC. Both wired into the factory harness. Now that the AC is gone and I had some issues with the factory harness, I've one fan. A single HP 13" spal pusher on the front. I bought all of the fans from Bimmerworld as barebone to wire and mount myself.

[jimmy p.]

Also only U.S cars came with the clutch fan

I thought it was all cars with AC had two fans...

Non AC cars only had electric, cars with AC had both?

[Gregs///M]

You guys are all probably right on the power issue....I see no reason why the Spal should draw a great deal more power than the stock electric fan. In fact IIRC the recommendation to upgrade the wiring might have come from VAC as a thinly veiled attempt to sell their harness with the kit.

In my case the stock electric fan kept blowing its fuse, and that was one of the reasons why I replaced it. But I think that was because my stock fan was rubbing on its housing and overloading the motor.

Also, I am not worried about retaining my car in 100% stock condition, so when in doubt I replace the 25 year old wiring on critical systems whenever I can.

I've installed a few of those fans with wiring kits. I usually throw the wiring kit away because its made so cheaply. I prefer to build my own.

[erik bernstein]

Also only U.S cars came with the clutch fan

[Ironhead]

Great, looks like the Spal 30102044 (13" curved blade puller, 1700 cfm) maxes out at 19.5 amps, so I'm good to go!

You guys are all probably right on the power issue....I see no reason why the Spal should draw a great deal more power than the stock electric fan. In fact IIRC the recommendation to upgrade the wiring might have come from VAC as a thinly veiled attempt to sell their harness with the kit.

In my case the stock electric fan kept blowing its fuse, and that was one of the reasons why I replaced it. But I think that was because my stock fan was rubbing on its housing and overloading the motor.

Also, I am not worried about retaining my car in 100% stock condition, so when in doubt I replace the 25 year old wiring on critical systems whenever I can.

[nauqneyugn]

Great, looks like the Spal 30102044 (13" curved blade puller, 1700 cfm) maxes out at 19.5 amps, so I'm good to go!