DIY: How to mount a Spal Electric fan to the stock shroud

infinkc · Sat, Jul-19-2014, 09:38:11 PM

I searched and could not find exactly how people were attaching a Spal fan to their cars, so i took a few pictures while installing mine.

It cost $130 for the fan and relay, couldn't be happier.

I went with a Spal 30101516 model, its a 1610CFM with a low profile.

Amazon.com: Spal 30101516 16" Straight Blade Low Profile Fan: Automotive

0-60Motorsports · Sat, Jul-19-2014, 09:47:27 PM

Nice one.

TheGenius46M · Sat, Jul-19-2014, 10:05:18 PM

Sweet! Been looking for info how to wire one of these without having to install a bung into the radiator. Does it kick on like stock, just function more efficiently?

infinkc · Sat, Jul-19-2014, 10:16:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGenius46M

Sweet! Been looking for info how to wire one of these without having to install a bung into the radiator. Does it kick on like stock, just function more efficiently?

Well the stock one is clutch driven so the speed depends how hot the clutch is. 180 deg seems to be what's recommended by many for the fan to kick on. It will turn off if it drops 10deg also. Driving around today at 90deg out, it worked great. I thought it would be louder, but it's fairly quiet.

The main reason I swapped it out was to take the load off the water pump and also so I don't have to worry if a stock fan blade snaps and takes everything with it.

ZCPIBM3 · Sun, Jul-20-2014, 03:55:21 AM

Thank you!
Subed.

kokgo20 · Sun, Jul-20-2014, 03:59:32 AM

Good job and clean install
I was thinking of doing this for a while, wish u would have posted this yesterday, just paid for the mishimoto fan kit.

dunkman23 · Sun, Jul-20-2014, 10:19:35 AM

Any writeup on the wiring (what wires to tap or splice)

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk

bimmerfan08 · Sun, Jul-20-2014, 01:26:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunkman23

Any writeup on the wiring (what wires to tap or splice)

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk

This. Nice job OP. I like DIYs and people who take time to post them. You're helping the community when you do so.

infinkc · Sun, Jul-20-2014, 07:19:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunkman23

Any writeup on the wiring (what wires to tap or splice)

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk

It's fairly simple so I didn't post all the details. It's just a standard relay.
12 from the battery jump post to terminal 30
Terminal 87 to the fan +
Terminal 85 to one side of the thermostat switch
Terminal 86 to 12v ignition( I used the red wire with white stripe)
Picture from FastM showing the wire used.

Since the fan wire was on top, it fits perfectly through the shroud as there is a square cutout.

You can always come seee and I can help ya.

admranger · Mon, Jul-21-2014, 12:07:13 AM

Does anyone know the CFM of the stock fan?

Sat, Jul-19-2014, 09:38:11 PM	#1
infinkc Rgetsired User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 647 Reputation: 0 Location: Sac	How to mount a Spal Electric fan to the stock shroud I searched and could not find exactly how people were attaching a Spal fan to their cars, so i took a few pictures while installing mine. It cost $130 for the fan and relay, couldn't be happier. I went with a Spal 30101516 model, its a 1610CFM with a low profile. Amazon.com: Spal 30101516 16" Straight Blade Low Profile Fan: Automotive Amazon.com: Spal 30101516 16" Straight Blade Low Profile Fan: Automotive Amazon.com: Spal 30101516 16" Straight Blade Low Profile Fan: Automotive **EDIT i have been told that the fan from Amazon does not always come with the brackets, so you may need to order them as well. (You need 2 brackets) Amazon.com: Spal 30130011 Fan Mounting Bracket (One Bracket): Automotive Amazon.com: Spal 30130011 Fan Mounting Bracket (One Bracket): Automotive Amazon.com: Spal 30130011 Fan Mounting Bracket (One Bracket): Automotive I used a Derale Fan relay harness 16738 180F Temperature switch. Amazon.com: Derale 16738 180 Degree Farenheit Single Stage Electric Fan Controller: Automotive Amazon.com: Derale 16738 180 Degree Farenheit Single Stage Electric Fan Controller: Automotive Amazon.com: Derale 16738 180 Degree Farenheit Single Stage Electric Fan Controller: Automotive I placed the fan inside the stock shroud with the wire on the top. You need to get (4) 1/4-20 x1/2" nuts and bolts to mount it to the shroud. just simply drill the holes and bolt down the fan. The fan comes with 4 brackets, so you do not need to purchase them separate. you need to cut the metal strap on the bracket down to the length i have in the picture. Install the bracket onto the fan and use 2 more nuts/bolts to secure it down. It will sit level in this position. The bracket can go on 2 different ways, install it so the bracket is closer to the stock shroud (lock nuts facing the front of the car) The fan thermostat you push into the radiator fins. i cut the probe down to about 1 1/2" so it would clear. I installed it next to the inlet. Once the plastic fan shroud is installed it presses on the sensor so it will not pop out. Here is a picture showing how much clearance the fan has to the water pump. I mounted the fan relay up near the firewall. the other relay there is for my AE's. I wired the relay slightly different than the instructions that come with it. I ran a 12v ignition to the relay(same wire i used for the AE's), then from the relay ran a wire to the temperature switch. The other side of the temperature switch i grounded. Last edited by infinkc; Thu, Oct-16-2014 at 04:11:08 PM.*

Sat, Jul-19-2014, 09:47:27 PM	#2
0-60Motorsports Established 1998.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,031 In the garage: '12 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF '04 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Al Manama, Bahrain	Re: How to mount a Spal Electric fan to the stock shroud Nice one. __________________ EURO 04 M3 Mods: GC DA's / Eibach Sways / PF RTABs / RE RCAs / INTRAVEE II / ///MFEST Badges / M5 SMG Knob / VCSL: Bumper + Race Lip, CF Trunk, CF Diffusor / DIETZ TV in Motion / SuperSprint: Stepped Headers, Cat Deletes, Res X-pipe, Sport Muffler / Z8 Starter Button / Lamin-X / STM Paddles / OEM CSL: Steering, Interior, Intake, CF Roof / Terra MSS54HP CSL Clone + TTFS Tune / BBS CH's, LIGHTWERKZ / ST40's / DINAN RSB / RE Race Brace / BW Oil Cooler / 3.91 gears / Radium OCC

Sat, Jul-19-2014, 10:05:18 PM	#3
TheGenius46M Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 1,825 In the garage: '03 BMW ///M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Pleasanton, CA	Re: How to mount a Spal Electric fan to the stock shroud Sweet! Been looking for info how to wire one of these without having to install a bung into the radiator. Does it kick on like stock, just function more efficiently? __________________ 2003 E46 M3 TiAg/Cinnamon 6MT Purchased: 11/13 with 58k miles Recaro \| OMP \| Eibach \| Besian \| AKG \| UUC \| Rogue \| Schroth \| Bimmerworld \| Turner \| PFC \| CSF \| Status Gruppe \| ] My Build Thread \| My Build Journal \| Instagram:@thegenius46m

Sun, Jul-20-2014, 03:55:21 AM	#5
ZCPIBM3 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 284 In the garage: '06 BMW ///M3 Reputation: 0 Location: MoCo	Re: How to mount a Spal Electric fan to the stock shroud Thank you! Subed. __________________ 2006 M3 ZCP Interlagos Blue

Sun, Jul-20-2014, 03:59:32 AM	#6
kokgo20 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Age: 34 Posts: 4,303 In the garage: '12 BMW 328i Sport '04 BMW E46 M3 '06 BMW 325 Reputation: 0 Location: Memphis	Re: How to mount a Spal Electric fan to the stock shroud Good job and clean install I was thinking of doing this for a while, wish u would have posted this yesterday, just paid for the mishimoto fan kit. __________________ Build thread 05/2004 SMG PY/BLK - 600 TCKline - CPI Headers & resonated Sec1- Stoptech BBK 6 pod front & 4 pod rear with steel lines - 75mm Studs conversion - PF RTABs & FCABs - AKG subframe bushings - Multi color AEs - FR-X 3.0 Projectors - Smoked Side markers - Euro bumper - V1 with hard wire & Stealth one - M Track Mod - ZCP steering rack - BMW MS 4.10 - Dual LI - CSL Style diffuser - SCZA Exhaust - E9x Door handle LED retrofit - SCZA CSL bootlid - VEI systems custom A/F & boost gauge - Active Prima plus + FS tune - Mishimoto Radiator & Oil cooler - H&R front Sway - UUC camber arms - keyless & push to start system - clear bra - interiors red stitching contrast -

Sun, Jul-20-2014, 10:19:35 AM	#7
dunkman23 Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 443 In the garage: '02 BMW ///M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Sacramento	Re: How to mount a Spal Electric fan to the stock shroud Any writeup on the wiring (what wires to tap or splice) Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk __________________ 2002 BMW ///M3 6mt TiAg /Imola - APEX ARC-8/PSS - BILSTEIN PSS10 1993 BMW ///E34 Touring - OBD1 S52 - 5sp MT, 3.23 LSD

Mon, Jul-21-2014, 12:07:13 AM	#10
admranger Registered troublemaker Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 2,273 Reputation: 0 Location: Alexandria, VA or Las Vegas	Re: How to mount a Spal Electric fan to the stock shroud Does anyone know the CFM of the stock fan? __________________ '11 E90 M3, Melbourne/Black/Fox Red/Black, 6MT, roof, PP2, heated seats, Eibach Pro Kit, GC Street camber plates, Arc-8's, Technic harness, JL XD 600/6 '16 X5 40e Mineral White/Black Dakota Leather, ZLL, ZCW, ZDA, ZDB, ZPP, side shades, multi contour seats, HK stereo

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