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Radiator and Condensor Fan operation

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AnorexicSTI

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Not sure if this is the right section, but since it's in the engine bay, I figure close enough :).

From what I've observed, these fans are pretty much identical except the radiator fan (driver side) has a bigger motor and is 1 lb heavier.

Also based on my observations, the fans always come on and off together... when you turn on the AC, both fans come on regardless of temperature of the coolant or engine bay. When the car starts to get hot, both come on at the same time.

I've removed my AC system and do not plan to put it back.

I plan on selling my driver side fan which is the main rad fan... I plan to keep the passenger side fan for backup... if I ever run a fan, I would only run 1 fan... and since that is the lighter one and located on the passenger side for better weight distribution, I will keep that one.

However, if I'm wrong about my observations, then I should keep the driver side fan (rad fan) and sell the condenser fan (pass side).

Can somebody confirm? Thanks.
 
#2 ·
The condensor is in front of the radiator, not next to, like a honda where one fan is for the condensor and one fan is for the radiator. Which makes me wonder: did you remove your condensor? Both fans pull air through the condensor then through the radiator.


just a side note from what i found in the service manual: the main radiator fan has 5 blades the sub fan has 7. they probably operate at different rpms and move different amounts of cfm.

i'm assuming you're making your car lighter for racing. you're going to need all the cooling help you can get. i would keep both fans. just a thought.

heres a chart from the service manual that shows the fan cycles. the cycles are also dictated by speed which you may not have known:

hope this helps.
 
Discussion starter · #4 · (Edited)
snorky said:
The condensor is in front of the radiator, not next to, like a honda where one fan is for the condensor and one fan is for the radiator. Which makes me wonder: did you remove your condensor? Both fans pull air through the condensor then through the radiator.


just a side note from what i found in the service manual: the main radiator fan has 5 blades the sub fan has 7. they probably operate at different rpms and move different amounts of cfm.

i'm assuming you're making your car lighter for racing. you're going to need all the cooling help you can get. i would keep both fans. just a thought.

heres a chart from the service manual that shows the fan cycles. the cycles are also dictated by speed which you may not have known:

hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Yes, condenser has been removed and it is as wide as the rad... unlike a Honda. I think I will just keep both just in case... in case somebody tunes it on a dyno and needs me to have them on... but I plan to do mostly road tuning with Hydra...

With a 160 deg. thermostat, moving at 90 km/h or higher, no way temps should hit 205 F or higher... if it does, I have other problems!
 
#5 ·
Does flex-a-lite (FAL) make a WRX/STI direct replacement coolant fan? I wouldn't mind going with one since I have a FMIC now.
 
owns 2019 Subaru WRX STI Base FP Green Flex Fuel
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