Quote:
Originally Posted by 71 delta88guy
...Auto manufacturers have not switched to electric fans for the fun of it. They want to squeez every tenth of a mpg they can from their cars. After you get up to 15 miles per hour a fan is not needed-as long as the cooling system is working properly.I really can't understand the posts in favor of a engine driven fan.My 79 f100 with a 5.0 from a 90 gt mustang had a electric fan. It was on about 9 times in 2 1/2 years. All were in traffic for extended periods of time.
|
I would agree that power loss results from both kind of fans, but to assert that car manufacturers switched away from metal engine driven fans purely for efficiency is a bit of a stretch. Most asian vehicles engines are set in the compartment sideways which would make a mechanical fan nearly impossible or cost prohibitive to install. You also have to consider the cost of raw materials such as manufacturing metal fans, clutches, and brackets compared to the cost of lighter polymers and plastics.
I'm sure HP and MPG efficiency were considerations, but I'd bet a lugnut that cost was the main driver for change.