Does an S2000 race car need two radiator fans? I'm considering removing one for weight savings and a cleaner airflow through the radiator at speed. I noticed the two radiators are different. Is the larger fan on the driver's right the "primary" fan?

Has anyone removed a fan? Thanks in advance,

Rob

 

One fan is for the air con as far as I know.

 

I removed the AC so I'll try to confirm the large fan is the AC fan and pull it out.

 

That makes sense I've been turning AC on to get the coolant temp down at auto-x recently.
Sitting on grid at auto-x the cars been showing 4/5 bars (with the AEM ECU and modifry temp fix)

I can get to 3/4 bars if I put the AC on which I guess its kicking in the 2nd fan.

On the move the car stays on 2/3 bars - I've only had it at the track at road atlanta in December so I can't say 100% but I'd be very surprised if it went over 3 bars on the move even at track pace in under 20mins.

as I understand 4 and even 5 bars on the AEM is the hot side of 3 bars on the stock ECU so you should be fine on stock ecu

 

The fan on the driver's side is the "A/C Condensor Fan" and the passenger side one is the "Radiator Fan" according to the service manual.

On the bottom drivers side of the radiator, there is an electrical switch. On '00-'05 models it's called a "radiator fan switch" and on '06 and up models it's called a "engine coolant temp (ECT) sensor 2" It is a different part, not just a name change.

It's interesting that turning your AC on drops engine temp. What has been suggested in the past is turning the heater blower fan on as this allows some heat to be released via that fan, but it sure makes things hot inside the car.

Perhaps there is a way to wire the two fans together so they both come on when needed, and then you won't have to run the AC?

 

Cool, that fan will be very easy to remove. I'm going to give it a try since I've already pulled my A/C radiator and pump.

 

I pulled out the manual and verified the small fan is for the A/C so I disconnected the one electrical connector and pulled the 3 10mm bolts and it lifted right out. Seems to weigh about 3 pounds.

 

What? You didn't believe me?! After all that discussion about racing ethics and all?!



I don't think it'll be an issue, but make sure your radiator fan still comes on when it's supposed to, cause the electrical connections may be combined somehow in the ECU.

 

Good idea David. I have to warm it up for an oil change anyway so I'll make sure the fan works properly.

 

couldn't you fabricate some sort of a switch to the a/c fan and keep the fan in there for cooling... turn it on manually from the cockpit when you need it? but i guess depending on what temps the car is experiencing...