Efan & Trans Cooler

[saze]

I got My PCMforless Efan plug and play kit and Trans er.
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Installed Cooler
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Some what finished Efan Install
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Has any one installed 08+ efans from pcmforless? If so let me know i have a couple questions thanks

Good Finish/stopping point right before Tampa weather
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[TexazReece]

Those are some great additions to your truck . How hard is it to DIY the tranny cooler?

 

[saze]

Those are some great additions to your truck . How hard is it to DIY the tranny cooler?

Thank you.

Not that difficult. Some trimming to the headlight/grill support, remove a cooler line and bolt on with some holes to drill. Easier since I had the fan clutch out. More room to work with.

 

[ScarabEpic22]

Trans coolers are dead simple to install, especially PCMofNC's kits.

Id look to cut a few holes in your shroud before you button it up, Craig (flyingfischer) has the same kit on his 04 and his fan runs excessively plus he overheated coming up a grade in central WA this last weekend. The shroud needs to let air through when you're on the highway/freeway, cut a few holes in it otherwise you'll have the same problem.

 

[jaguarjoe]

A few holes in the shroud may not help because the fan will bypass the rad through those holes. Shutters or flaps that automatically open at high speed (40 mph) and close below that would work.
I forgot which cars had shutters, I know they're in the JY, and I know they're solenoid controlled. Maybe a Focus? McM Carr sells thin sheets of neoprene or whatever for flaps.

 

[Mooseman]

I've seen threads here where one was having overheating problems and another burnt the fan motor. One of them or both removed them due to the problems. Cutting vents with flaps might help. Keep a close eye on the temperature.

http://gmtnation.com/f25/removing-my-pcm4less-electric-fan-3901/

http://gmtnation.com/f25/removing-my-pcm4less-electric-fan-3901/index2.html#post86325 (burnt motor post)

http://gmtnation.com/f25/e-fans-running-hot-4541/


As an aside, I haven't had any problems with http://gmtnation.com/f24/my-electric-fan-setup-montana-venture-efans-2425/

 

[saze]

Thank you all for the posts.

I finally finished my install on tuesday. I got sent the harness for older TBs so the instructions confused the hell out of me. But PCM4less fixed it and shipped me out the correct harness right away. I left the shroud as it is. Fan is running now (Loud as hell) . We will see how it holds and hopefully I dont run into issues other guys had.

Now to move on the More Mods. lol

 

[Falcon LS]

Congrats! Looking to do this soon myself. The ambient temperatures are just too high here, and at noon time when it's over 120 F, my ATF temperatures climb up to 217 F on the highway. In stop and go it gets up to 223 F, and with these temperatures, I'll be needing a new transmission soon if I don't do anything! Good thing I drop the pan every oil change, didn't turn out excessive at all getting fresh Dexron-VI in there. Coolant temperature hovers around 207-215 F.

 

[marshall@pcm]

Falcon, do you have a tranny cooler on there? Our kits usually knock off about 30º!!

Check them out here... Trailblazer Transmission Cooler I6

 

[Mooseman]

Falcon, you should definitely NOT go with an efan in temps like those. Any auxiliary tranny cooler will help with those temps. Just don't go with any of those cheap "fin and tube" type coolers.

 

[Falcon LS]

marshall@pcm - Thanks for the link! I will take a look at that in just a moment.

I have the stock cooler on there, which runs to the bottom of the radiator. It's not doing much though. I got a Derale 14204 pan, which holds an additional 2 quarts, and has cooling tubes running through it, but I will also need a proper cooler to go with it. Won't do much on it's own otherwise.

Mooseman - I'm looking at something that's at least 4,000 CFM for the efan to help cool down the engine and for the AC condenser. It gets unbearable if you're sat in traffic and you don't get much cold air flow. It seems the clutch fan isn't really helping my cause. Sat in traffic, engine coolant temperature goes up to 217 F! I replace the coolant (50/50 Dex-Cool with distilled water) annually, as well as replace the thermostat, rad cap and hoses for cheap insurance. I also replaced the fan clutch with a GM part to no avail.

I'm a bit anal about what I go for as far as the transmission cooler is concerned. I don't want something through the radiator mounting with no thermostat and no fan.

In comparison, my Grand Marquis has what Ford calls the "High Ambient Temperature/High Speed Package" for export vehicles. It's got a heavy duty police ATF/PSF cooler behind the condenser/in front of the radiator with an efan. Even when it's 130 F outside, ATF temperatures never saw anything over 192 F and with the stock tune, coolant temperature dropped right down to 190 F from 212 F when the fan kicked in. Now I'm running one range colder plugs with a tune and a 180 F thermostat (stock 192 F) - coolant temperatures barely see 195 F. With the correct setup, I believe an efan can work pretty well!

 

[Mooseman]

I am surprised that the stock fan is unable to keep things cool since it can pull massive amounts of air. As a test, you could put +12V to the white wire at the fan's wiring harness. This will give you full fan engagement. If temperatures don't improve, then there might be an issue with the radiator. I do know that it is poorly designed. These two articles are very good read:

OffRoad TB - View topic - Cooling System Upgrades Part I: Fans

OffRoad TB - View topic - Cooling System Upgrades Part II: Radiator

 

[Tiggerr]

Ok....transmission coolers are a no brainier....cooler temps=longer life...any type is an improvement....even the el-cheapo fin/tube type...

On the other hand....That fan kit is RIDICULOUS!!! Seriously!!??

What would posses someone to think blocking the entire radiator,except for where the fan itself is, is a good idea?!!

I can't fathom anyone with any kind of common mechanical aptitude installing this!!

Common sense would dictate blocking up the rest of the radiator is a bad thing for air flow....

That fan would have to run almost continuously to keep the temp in check....If it could then!.... I doubt it could if you live in the south!
Where I used to live in East TX?? Doubtful!!

WOW is all I can say!!

I know people here swear by PCM........but they screwed the pooch on that one!

 

[v7guy]

What would posses someone to think blocking the entire radiator,except for where the fan itself is, is a good idea?!!

The shroud (the plate blocking the entire radiator except for the fan) is there to force the air to go through the radiator as opposed to the fan pulling air in from the edges of the back side of the radiator. The air coming from around the outside edge of the radiator and through the fan would cause the air to not move through the radiator as effectively because of the pressure difference.
The pics are a bit deceptive (and frequently you see the center of the shroud where the fan mounts another inch or two back in most other aftermarket set ups). If you look at the first pic before the radiator is up against the shroud you'll notice bolts are sticking through. If the shroud was right up against the radiator, those bolts would wear a hole in it. So it would appear that the shroud is at least an inch off the radiator and pulling air through the whole thing by creating low pressure on the backside.
It could probably be improved with a good positive seal all around the radiator to the shroud and also by the fan being pushed back another inch or two.

 

[jaguarjoe]

It could probably be improved with a good positive seal all around the radiator to the shroud.

Far and away, the path of least resistance for the fan is through the gap as opposed to through the radiator. Get some 1/2" strips of aluminum, some neoprene rubber, and some pop rivets and seal that gap. ALL the air through that fan has to come through the radiator and no where else.