13 replies to this topic

[Papa Lazaroo]

I decided to start a new thread rather than hijack the other one that mentions removing the fan.

I think it was Dan that mentioned you should never remove the mechanical fan and someone else claimed that it's not a problem.

Who's correct?

The reason I ask is that I would imagine the engine would gain a bit of power if it was removed and I only use my mini for trackdays - therefore no idleing in traffic.

Will enough cold air get to the engine on a track where the average speed is well over 30 mph?

Grateful for any advice from someone who's tried it.

[icklemini]

Yep ran my racer without the mechanical fan and yes it does make a difference.

If you have a good radiator (pref front mounted) and electric fan (when sitting in the paddock) you should be fine..

TTFN,
Dave

[Jammy]

Yea, Dan was making the point that you shouldn't remove the fan altogether! If you replace it with an electric fan thens its fine, because you will then still have something thats directing the airflow through the radiator!

Trust me, if you were to remove the fan (mechanical or electric) form the side of the engine, our engine would overheat fairly quickly!! The exception to this would be if you have a radiator at the front! However I think you still need a fan to cool the engine when sat in traffic, etc.

You only really need to fit a electric fan instead of a mechanical one when your looking to find every last bhp, as swapping them over will only find you 1-2bhp! And for most people, its not worth the £60-70 outlay!

[Guess-Works.com]

I would not take the fan off a road car, race car yes maybe, as every Horse counts..

The alternative is to change the pulley wheel on the water pump, if you use the larger diameter ( you may already have it ) pulley, obviously the fan goes round slower, and so does the water pump..

[Papa Lazaroo]

There's already an electric fan on the other side of the radiator that kicks in when it gets too hot. I take it that this will not be enough to keep it cool even when moving? As the car is only for the track it only ever has to sit idleing to get the temperature up anyway. My fear is overheating once out on the track.

[Guess-Works.com]

I'd go for a front mounted rad and an expansion tank...

[Jammy]

When you say only for the track, do you mean track days or really competitive racing?

[Papa Lazaroo]

Just track days up here at Knockhill.

[Papa Lazaroo]

.......but I'm struggling to keep up with all the Novas and XR2s so every little helps!

[Bungle]

try a front mounted rad with electric fan :wink:

[Jammy]

I wouldn't bother to be honest, if its just track days then your really not going to notice much of an improvement! Unless overheating is an issue at the moment.

Your best off saving your cash and using it on something that will really make a difference, cam, rockers, head, etc.

Or invest in any of Vizards books, so you can learn how to modify standards parts yourself.

[Dan]

Well, actually I was saying you should not remove the mechanical fan from a side radiator Mini (not that you can remove it from a front rad Mini as they don't have one! ). I mean Rover never did now did they? And they made a lot of cars that had electric fans only. When they added electric fans to Mini's they were only as an additional fan.

[TimS]

And dont forget that when you add an electric fan it still needs its power from the engine! Thus driving the alternator harder and reducing the engines effective output again.

[icklemini]

It'll take its power from the battery - but yes the alternator will then need to recharge the battery so it will load up the engine.....

So you could then run without an alternator and just take a few spare batteries with you

or you can modify the alternator to 'cut out' - either manually controlled or a microswitch on the throttle, etc..

Fit a front rad and fan arrangement (MPi, Metro, Rovers, etc) and be done with the side mounted stuff

- could go with an electric water pump too... every little bit helps...

TTFN,
Dave