25 replies to this topic

[gav]

 

Thanks. I'll add it to the to do list.

Floormanager,

Fitted this MiniSpares kit the weekend. Very high quality and includes all instructions. Only additional item required was a small amount of PTFE tape.

1st note: Instructions advise to remove original fan. As I wasn't sure if the new one sucked or blows I did remove it. I had a couple of additional 4mm fan spacers so now have three on the end so I could use the original fan bolts without having to cut them down so they didn't bottom out.

2nd note: the new fan does fit between the rad and inner wing and indeed sucks and it's very very efficient at this!

3rd note: space would be tight if you were using a 4 core rad...if you are, you also have to notify them when ordering as you need slightly different brackets, I believe. I have a new MiniSpares 2 core performance copper rad so had no issue with space or brackets.

I set the controller to kick in approx 85c. This is approx 1/2 way (or just under) between normal and the beginning of the red zone on the in-car temp gauge. Once the fan has kicked in, cooled and then cuts out the temp guage is reading on normal again. As I said the fan is very efficient, cools back down to normal operating temp very quickly. You know it's efficient...pop your hand under the ns wing whilst the fan is on and feel the amount of hot air being sucked out of the engine bay, through the rad and out of the wing.

Best bit of optional kit I've ever purchased.

 

Might be worth mentioning that you need to re fit the mechanical fan as people reading this might think otherwise. Also I answer the technical emails through the website and have nothing from you, average response time is less than 10 mins during working hours ;)

[gav]

https://www.carbuild...ons.com/uk/fans

 

less than 1/2 the price, needs some brackets making and some wiring

 

CFM is no where near as good as the C-ARA4401 kit however ;)

[cooperd70]

Thanks. I'll add it to the to do list.

Floormanager,

Fitted this MiniSpares kit the weekend. Very high quality and includes all instructions. Only additional item required was a small amount of PTFE tape.

1st note: Instructions advise to remove original fan. As I wasn't sure if the new one sucked or blows I did remove it. I had a couple of additional 4mm fan spacers so now have three on the end so I could use the original fan bolts without having to cut them down so they didn't bottom out.

2nd note: the new fan does fit between the rad and inner wing and indeed sucks and it's very very efficient at this!

3rd note: space would be tight if you were using a 4 core rad...if you are, you also have to notify them when ordering as you need slightly different brackets, I believe. I have a new MiniSpares 2 core performance copper rad so had no issue with space or brackets.

I set the controller to kick in approx 85c. This is approx 1/2 way (or just under) between normal and the beginning of the red zone on the in-car temp gauge. Once the fan has kicked in, cooled and then cuts out the temp guage is reading on normal again. As I said the fan is very efficient, cools back down to normal operating temp very quickly. You know it's efficient...pop your hand under the ns wing whilst the fan is on and feel the amount of hot air being sucked out of the engine bay, through the rad and out of the wing.

Best bit of optional kit I've ever purchased.

Might be worth mentioning that you need to re fit the mechanical fan as people reading this might think otherwise. Also I answer the technical emails through the website and have nothing from you, average response time is less than 10 mins during working hours ;)

Gav,

The instructions that came with the fan said to remove the mechanical fan and not refit it, but to just attach the housing and 4 bolts. They are specific instructions as the pictures also showed the mini rad and cowling.

On the email front I sent a query through the contact page. I have tried several times but never received a reply. So maybe something is awry on the web site or there was an issue at the time no submitted the Q.

[gav]

Personally I would always keep the mechanical fan so you have some airflow at idle and low speeds, will save the electric fan coming on also. With a MS 2 core I never needed an electrical fan both on a 1380 and my turbo, not in the UK at least!

[floormanager]

Personally I would always keep the mechanical fan so you have some airflow at idle and low speeds, will save the electric fan coming on also. With a MS 2 core I never needed an electrical fan both on a 1380 and my turbo, not in the UK at least!

So Gav, I guess you work for minispares?  Can you confirm that I can fit electric fan kit to a standard rad for my Mk2 S?

Thanks.

Paul

[gav]

 

Personally I would always keep the mechanical fan so you have some airflow at idle and low speeds, will save the electric fan coming on also. With a MS 2 core I never needed an electrical fan both on a 1380 and my turbo, not in the UK at least!

So Gav, I guess you work for minispares?  Can you confirm that I can fit electric fan kit to a standard rad for my Mk2 S?

Thanks.

Paul

 

It's doable but the early cowlings make them a bit of a pain to get them in...

[cooperd70]

Might be worth mentioning that you need to re fit the mechanical fan as people reading this might think otherwise. Also I answer the technical emails through the website and have nothing from you, average response time is less than 10 mins during working hours ;)

For anyone wanting to install this kit actual instructions say to remove the mechanical fan. Gav at MiniSpares says that personally he'd keep the mech fan fitted as well as the kit fan.

I don't think either option is wrong or right. True, the mech fan installed will mean that the kit fan will not cut in so often, but having no mech fan means the car also warms up quicker on colder mornings. I've tested mine (no mech fan as I followed the instructions) and it works as expected and keeps the car at normal operating temp once warmed up from cold.

If the mech fan should in fact be kept in-situ maybe MiniSpares could revise their fitting instructions and inform those that have already purchased this kit.

Edited by cooperd70, 20 March 2019 - 03:29 PM.

[jeffster06]

 

Might be worth mentioning that you need to re fit the mechanical fan as people reading this might think otherwise. Also I answer the technical emails through the website and have nothing from you, average response time is less than 10 mins during working hours ;)

For anyone wanting to install this kit actual instructions say to remove the mechanical fan. Gav at MiniSpares says that personally he'd keep the mech fan fitted as well as the kit fan.

I don't think either option is wrong or right. True, the mech fan installed will mean that the kit fan will not cut in so often, but having no mech fan means the car also warms up quicker on colder mornings. I've tested mine (no mech fan as I followed the instructions) and it works as expected and keeps the car at normal operating temp once warmed up from cold.

If the mech fan should in fact be kept in-situ maybe MiniSpares could revise their fitting instructions and inform those that have already purchased this kit.

 

 

Wish I read this before installing mine last night. I left the mechanical fan off, although I need to do some modifications to my inner fender or something as my fan will run but seems to be binding on something/rattling when revving the engine. My 91 cooper has the slats on the inner fender and the fan is snug against them. Putting the fan and the radiator in was a nightmare to fit... hoping I can get it out easy enough to cut the inner wing. I also have the minispares 2 core radiator so im not sure why I am having fitment issues. 

Edited by jeffster06, 11 June 2019 - 06:40 PM.

[cooperd70]

Wish I read this before installing mine last night. I left the mechanical fan off, although I need to do some modifications to my inner fender or something as my fan will run but seems to be binding on something/rattling when revving the engine. My 91 cooper has the slats on the inner fender and the fan is snug against them. Putting the fan and the radiator in was a nightmare to fit... hoping I can get it out easy enough to cut the inner wing. I also have the minispares 2 core radiator so im not sure why I am having fitment issues.

Jeffster,

Not sure why there is a fitment issue with yours as I have the two core MiniSpares rad and it + fan fitted fine. I did pull on the slats just a little from within the wheel arch for a little better clearance. Think I did that after fitting the rad and fan so you may not have to take yours out if you did the same. Mines a 90 (Flame Red) also with the slats so that should be all you need.

Otherwise what about upper lower rad mounts? Are they standard? I bought a new upper from MiniSpares as the one that was on the car didn't look right. Fitted it at the same time so may have helped on my install.

My mech fan is still off and I've not yet decided to refit it or to leave as is. Its a weekend car so doesn't get a huge amount of use. Let us know what you decide to do.

Edited by cooperd70, 12 June 2019 - 08:18 AM.

[jt19]

I don't run mechanical fan in my turbo motor. I'm running electric water pump mind you. And a big ally rad with a 4 bladed fan in the inner wing. It works fine.

[jeffster06]

 

Wish I read this before installing mine last night. I left the mechanical fan off, although I need to do some modifications to my inner fender or something as my fan will run but seems to be binding on something/rattling when revving the engine. My 91 cooper has the slats on the inner fender and the fan is snug against them. Putting the fan and the radiator in was a nightmare to fit... hoping I can get it out easy enough to cut the inner wing. I also have the minispares 2 core radiator so im not sure why I am having fitment issues.

Jeffster,

Not sure why there is a fitment issue with yours as I have the two core MiniSpares rad and it + fan fitted fine. I did pull on the slats just a little from within the wheel arch for a little better clearance. Think I did that after fitting the rad and fan so you may not have to take yours out if you did the same. Mines a 90 (Flame Red) also with the slats so that should be all you need.

Otherwise what about upper lower rad mounts? Are they standard? I bought a new upper from MiniSpares as the one that was on the car didn't look right. Fitted it at the same time so may have helped on my install.

My mech fan is still off and I've not yet decided to refit it or to leave as is. Its a weekend car so doesn't get a huge amount of use. Let us know what you decide to do.

 

 

 

I found my issue last night. turns out the fan was fouling on its housing. I sent some pics to minispares but the brackets that bolt up to the radiator shroud ended up being about a 1/4 inch away on either side, this caused the fan to flex when bolted up. When I took everything apart the issue was very apparent because of the groove it cut into the housing. A quick remedy for this was to stack some washers on one side to stop the fan from flexing. 

 

I also put my mechanical fan back on while I had everything apart, figured it can't hurt and being in the south east US it might be necessary. I also decided to cut out the slats off the inner fender, I plan on doing a removable front in the future anyways so figured all this is getting cut off down the road so some extra clearance and breathing room couldn't hurt in the mean time, I will say with the slats gone re-installation was very easy.