Cold Air Intakes and Electric Fans

[220cummins]

I was just wondering what, if any, cold air intakes work. Which are the best bang for the buck for improving fuel economy and pulling power? The second part of my question is about the electric fan setup from flex-a-lite? Is it worth it? Does any of these add-ons help? My 04.5 LLY already has a turbo back w/o cat 4" MBRP S.S exhaust. I am looking into a few possibilities for better fuel economy and pulling power. Thanks.

[DickWells]

I have a big cat-back MBRP, too, as well as an S&B intake. Neither of these made a noticeable difference in power or economy. If I had put them in, both at the same time? Don't know.
I've also been wondering about electric fans. There have been numerous posts in here, with lots of speculation, but I don't recall that anyone has come up with a definitive answer as to how they will work out over the long haul. I suspect that the electrics wouldn't move enough air for a D-Max pulling over 14K or so at higher altitudes in hot weather. That is about the only factor that's keeping me from ordering the fans right now. I hate the roar when I'm climbing a hill in the heat, and that OE fan kicks in.
Can't help but believe that you'd see a noticeable increase in mileage with the electrics. Even when the fluid drive is just ideling, it moves a lot of air. Got to be some drag there. Maybe your post will prompt someone with experience to come in here with some comments.
Dick Wells

[SoTxPollock]

I don't recall who checked it out, but the stock fan moves so many more CFM's that no electric comes close. That being said one wonders if you didn't have to use the extra power to turn the stock fan going up the mountain, would the best dual electric fan setup be sufficient. I do hope someone chimes in if they have made the switch. Inquiring minds want to know.

[MikeC]

If you look on here in the readers rigs section you will see a write up I did on my Burban. In that article I listed Evans coolant and the Flex-a-Lite dual fan set up.

I was talked into them by a member who I believed because he was convinced it would work. I really never saw the truck running as cool with them on and it would even run 205 - 210 at times, which the line was that the engine is more efficient at those temps.

I ended up buying a DMax fan (from John Kennedy) that fit the hub on my 6.5 engine. I can tell you the truck on high idle would blow my pantlegs around when standing next to the door at the outside mirror. I never felt this amount of air when the elec fans were running.

My experience, others may tell a different story, but that is "my experience" with the electrics.

I would not do it again.

Mike

[More Power]

If I were equipping a truck for fuel economy - and for non/light towing, electric fans would likely produce some economic benefit.

If you tow heavy, you're better off with the stock engine-driven fan. The stock fan can pull up to 10,000-CFM when the engine is turning 3,000-RPM. The electrics pull about 6,000 when fully energized. So, if you run at 2000-RPM, the electric fans and the engine-driven fan move about the same amount of air.

Running at night with a big travel-trailer, and with the A/C & fans on could make your stock alternator cry out in agony.... A single high-cap alternator or a dual alt setup might be a good choice.

Jim