School Me On Radiator Fans!

[Idaho Savage]

So I have an LS in my 62 and a Mosely Radiator with electric, brushless fan (FSR built, if I'm not mistaken). Per earlier posts,I haven't been super stoked on the cooling. Thanks to @TRAIL TAILOR , I do feel better about the relatively high temps I'm seeing while driving over mountain passes and the like, but I don't love the idea of my coolant hitting almost 240* once or twice daily.

I've read all sorts of s*** on the Internet and it seems like a somewhat contentious topic, oddly enough, so I thought I'd ask the OGs here at MUD about their experience with different fan setups.

Current Setup: FJ62 with LS3 6.2L C&C
4L65E from RPM Transmissions,
AC condenser and tranny cooler.
Mosely Motors LS Conversion Radiator manufactured by FSR w brushless fan
I live at ~6000' and summer temps range from 80 to 100 degrees these days. Lots of mountain passes, etc.

I would rather not pull the radiator immediately before trying alternate fan setups, if we all think it could be beneficial. If I could find a 5-10% improvement, that would likely suffice.

So, with that said, do I:
1. Go to a dual fan setup (seems like lots of arguments on this)
2. Mechanical fan with shroud (I have plenty of HP)
3. Use a high amp electrical fan like the Mercury 50amp ( I already have an HO alternator)
4. Do nothing because it's likely not going to make a difference.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Did you ever verify with a heat gun your gauge matches your temps?

210-240F is pretty common on the LS3 (even in stock camaros and vettes)

Also (burp) air lift your cooling system. You may have a air pocket too.

J

 

[Idaho Savage]

Did you ever verify with a heat gun your gauge matches your temps?

210-240F is pretty common on the LS3 (even in stock camaros and vettes)

Also (burp) air lift your cooling system. You may have a air pocket too.

J

Yeah, verified with my forge laser gun. I'll try burping it again as I saw that with my old engine but I don't believe that's it.

 

[cruisermatt]

The Spal fan provided with the Mosley radiator is likely more powerful CFM-wise then pretty much any other option you could replace it with.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

The Spal fan provided with the Mosley radiator is likely more powerful CFM-wise then pretty much any other option you could replace it with.

Agreed.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Guys have swapped to lower thermostats with no change to mention as well.

 

[cruisermatt]

Also keep in mind the temp sender is reading from pretty much the hottest location.
The cylinder head. Not the radiator where the cooling is actually happening.

 

[BurntToast]

Super anecdote, but my dual Spal RD radiator ~95 degrees and also 6000 feet I’ve been seeing 210-225 ish. So maybe a little cooler but similar ballpark.

 

[cruisermatt]

Another note. LS1 Corvette, the fans don’t even come on until 225ish.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Another note. LS1 Corvette, the fans don’t even come on until 225ish.

LS3 triggers at 202-206F

 

[cruisermatt]

Right, my point though was that 230-235 isn’t going to hurt it.

 

[Idaho Savage]

What about sustained 240*? That seems to be where it sits while crossing the pass. That's with AC off, no overdrive and driving conservatively in 90* heat.

By in large, sounds like you guys would stick with what I have. It's odd, though...I can't imagine wheeling with this setup in warm temps.

 

[cruisermatt]

Think about it this way. Say a stock 2F 60 will sit at 205-210 climbing that same pass, at probably a 20-30 mph lower speed. You probably don’t realize but even driving conservatively you are probably still hauling ass in comparison.

Heat exchanger surface area is the same with a stock 2F and what you have. The new radiator you have has some more internal passes and aluminum is a bit better for cooling but ultimately it’s still the same size billboard. And roughly the same overall coolant capacity (3-4 ish gallons).
Except now you have twice, maybe triple, the HP (energy!) being generated.
All the other variables are the same. So heat has to increase.

AND you are cooling that extra energy with 90-degree July/August air. Say 8-9 other months out of the year that would be 65-70 degree air (20-degrees cooler).
When you think about it all that way, 240 doesn’t sound as high, does it?

 

[Idaho Savage]

And this thread is why this place is so f'ing special. It's like asking a guitar question and then Jimmy Page, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jerry Garcia and Tom Morello all happen to answer.

I'll stick with her. If it becomes problematic next summer, we can all choose a radiator and fan combo together. Thanks dudes!

 

[HAMBURGLAR11]

Install an oil cooler. Good for 20 degrees in my application. It was the only way I could get temps down.

 

[Idaho Savage]

Install an oil cooler. Good for 20 degrees in my application. It was the only way I could get temps down.

That is interesting. Thank you.