Viper Fan upgrade

Kensai · #1 09-28-2006, 04:03 PM

Has anyone bought and installed a viper fan upgrade to replace their OEM conventional mechanical fan or OEM mechanical fan/electric fan? If so, please post some pics. I like to see what the setup looks like under the hood.

I saw on a website that this Mopar viper fan kit (same OEM cooling fan setup that is on the Viper's) that has adapted this to work with the 1st generation durangos and got some good test results out of it. But the price is steep. About $440 bucks for a total replacement which includes replacing the fan shroud with built in coolant and windshield fluid compartments.

They tested this kit running at low speeds in over 100+ heat and the temp never goes more than 5 degrees above the set thermostat setting. Some users say they rarely see the viper fan system kick in to high speed for maximum cooling. Problaby only see this setting kick in when the engine is under heavy stress such as driving up the mountains or towing something.

I like to see what the replacement shroud looks like and like to know if the fluid capacity of the coolant and windshield fluids are at least the same capacity.

If anything, I like to just remove my mechanical fan and add some pancake style push fans on the front to cool the system but I don't know if the front pancake fans can deliver the amount of air needed to cool the Durango. I also think the OEM electric fan only comes on with the A/C. I have yet to see this OEM electric fan come on when the engine starts to overheat when the A/C is not running. It would be nice if there is a way to buy and setup some front fans for pushing and the OEM rear fan for pulling and maybe this type of setup will be much cheaper than the viper fan kit?

JasonGS · #2 09-28-2006, 06:45 PM

IMO, just get the Flex-a-lite 180. You can get that for about $250, and it pulls 3300 CFM. It will fit inside the existing 2000+ fan shroud. It comes with all necessary brakets, wiring, and an adjustable t-stat setting. A few have gone this route (including removing the manual fan) and have been very pleased with it.

Kensai · #3 09-28-2006, 09:08 PM

Does this mean pulling out and replacing the OEM electric fan as well?

Kensai · #4 09-28-2006, 09:38 PM

One thing I am puzzled over, the Flexlite says not to be used as a primary fan replacement for 4 core radiators? How many cores doe a Durango with heavy duty cooling system package? If this flex fan does not pull anymore CFM's as my OEM 15 inch electric fan, I will not get this. My OEM 15 inch electric fan can barely maintain 220 degrees in the worst heat of the week back in August.

JasonGS · #5 09-28-2006, 09:59 PM

This fan does replace the existing fan, which does not pull nearly as much CFM as the Flex-a-lite. I'm not sure on the 4 core radiators...?

This fan is very close to the same CFM rating as the Viper fan in its high setting.

JasonGS · #6 09-28-2006, 10:32 PM

Actually, I don't even know how to compare the 2 fans. I just did a search on DT about the CFM rating of the Viper fan, and depending on who wants to throw out a number, the Viper fan is rated anywhere between 3000-4500 CFM. LOL!

Mean Green · #7 09-28-2006, 11:15 PM

No fan replaces the original electric fan you have. The e-fan upgrade takes the place of the fan clutch only.

JasonGS · #8 09-29-2006, 12:56 AM

So you're saying run 2 electric fans? lol

Mean Green · #9 09-29-2006, 01:00 AM

That's the way I understand it.

JasonGS · #10 09-29-2006, 01:09 AM

No, there's no room for 2 elec. fans. You need to remove the stock fan and install either the viper or Flex-a-lite to upgrade the fans. Upgrading to either of these should pull enough air to also ditch the clutch fan.