How To Install AU Thermo Fans Into VN-VS V8

[NickVRParticipant AdelaideVR V8 Exec, VR SS, VF Redline Reserve View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 264]

How To Install AU Thermo Fans Into VN-VS V8

 

Tools Required/Recommended

Nice Clean Work Bench (To Fit Shroud And Radiator Would Be Ideal)

Hole Saw (A Collection Of These Is Best)

Hack Saw

Dremel Or Similar File

Small Drill (See Step #16 Otherwise A Cutting disc On The Dremel Is Fine)

Chalk Or White Marker (Chalk Is Easier To Clean Off)

Auto Electrician (For the Wiring)

Patience And Half A Day

 

 

Firstly this is the radiator that the fans will be attached to. Find the centre of the radiator and the shroud. Make sure to line these up when test fitting after every cut. Lay the fans over the radiator and you’ll see where most of the cuts need to be made. If you have an Auto, you will need to remove the Trans cooler fittings (cut off) or they can be left on. Mine were left on but the bottom one was bent out the way to avoid the fan possibly hitting it when under full load. Once all these steps have been followed, there may be some trimming needed with a Dremel or file.

Pic #1

Cut off the two end supports on the top edge of the fan shroud.

Pic #2

Pic #3

 

How it looks without the supports

Pic #4

 

Cut hole for Top Hose outlet.

Pic #5

Pic #6

 

Cut the filler neck hole. Start with a hole saw, then cut straight down the edge with a hacksaw.

Pic #7

Pic #8

 

It should look like this. More filing may be needed after test fitting.

Pic #9

 

Cut off Driver side and Passenger side lower supports. These foul on the chassis rails.

With Support Passenger Side

Pic #10

Without Support Passenger Side

Pic #11

With Support Drivers Side

Pic #12

Without support Drivers Side

Pic #13

 

Now cut the radiator hole out. Find a hole saw about 5mm bigger than the inlet (or 2-3mm bigger than the hose) and drill it out. Make sure to lay the shroud over the radiator and measure as good a possible the centre of the inlet. Again it may need filing to touch it up if you’re not 100% accurate.

Hole Started.

Pic #14

Hole finished.

 

Pic #15

 

These to slits need to be cut to hold the bottom of the radiator in. The brackets on the bottom of the radiator will slot into them. See First pic for the clips and pic #18 with them fitted.

Pic #16

 

Now to mount the top. I used Nutserts to srew into but a normal nut and bolt can be used also. Pic below is of the nutserts installed just measure and drill the holes for the shroud accordingly. The holes on the radiator are elongated so if your off by a little it won’t matter too much.

Pic #17

 

Now test fit everything file more where needed or you think may need more room then fit to radiator. This is how mine fitted up in the end, the bottom hoes could of done with a little more filing as it was a bit tight but fitted up ok as pictured.

Overall Fitment

Pic #18

Pic #19

Top Hose

Pic #20

Filler Neck

Pic #21

Bottom Hose (Note: The cooler outlet bent down to clear the fan, this needed to be bent up slightly as it was hard to get the clamp on the bottom hose. Adjust as needed.)

Pic #22

 

Now turn on the fans while on the bench to see fit they foul on anything. Turn by hand initially then once your satisfied that it is clear then power up the fans as they will flex at high speed which could cause them to hit.

If everything is fine fit back to the car and either get them up wired to the ECU or use a Davies Craig Thermo Fan Switch. Either way consult an Auto Electrician about this as you will need decent wiring for these because they draw big once at full speed.

 

Fitment to the car. The A/C hose may need to be bent away a little and the Charcoal canister will need to be moved or bent to make room. Other than these two things it should slot in without any issue.

Pic #23

Pic #25

Pic #26

 

Notes:

You will need shorter bolts for the water pump pulley. Any fastener shop or auto store can match the bolts you have, just make sure the ones you get are slightly shorter (thickness of clutch fan hub). Spring washers to suit.

From what I have found the fans flow around 3000cfm. I only have one working at the moment off the V6 thermo fan plug and that is turning on at about half way on the gauge (Factory 106 ecu setting) for the other fan I will get a temp sender put in that turns on at about 90 degrees.

The sender will turn on the first fan for low speed (90 degrees) and the ecu turns on the second for high speed(106 degrees).

[KroozerParticipant Forbes, NSW91 VN SS View build HERE Member since: February 19, 2015 Posts: 336]

Good write up mate, I dare say I will need this in the future

[NickVRParticipant AdelaideVR V8 Exec, VR SS, VF Redline Reserve View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 264]

It was one of many How-To’s I posted on JC’s. Thought I’d contribute this on the new forum too.

[MistikalParticipant From: Perth1995 Nissan K11 Micra 2004 VY2 LS1 Calais View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 57]

Did this to a VR V6 some time ago, but cheated a little with the wiring. Created our own relay circuit which ran both fans, and used the existing thermo fan wiring as the trigger switch for the new relay – did the job well.

[NickVRParticipant AdelaideVR V8 Exec, VR SS, VF Redline Reserve View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 264]

Mine was a V6 and I was able to use the old thermo-fan plug to control the high speed. Didn’t need to set it or anything. The low fan was the only one I needed to get working which I have with the thermo-fan switch in the thermostat housing.

 

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