My SPAL Fan Install...LOTS of pics

[NacsMXer]

I've been wanting to do this SPAL fan mod on my quad after seeing other members' setups and how great they perform in enhancing the oil cooler's ability to do its job. Thought I would share some step by step pics with you guys of my own install.

The thing that makes this install different, is that i'm fitting the fan to work on a Desert Toyz Supercooler system, instead of the stock oil cooler. I bought this cooler through Desert Toyz ATV a few years ago and it has been a very worthy mod. They advertised it to be approx 3x larger than the stock 5 row cooler, and offer a 50 degree drop in temps. With 13 rows and a much larger overall size, I don't think that claim is very far off. I've received a lot of inquiries from members about this kit, but unfortunatlely Desert Toyz stopped offering the kits due to low demand :ermm:

I did take some pics of the kit for you guys if you want to custom make your own kit. You could buy the cooler itself (I believe the cooler to be a Setrab part #613 unit), make your own mounting brackets, and have the oil lines made at a hydraulic shop.

DT Supercooler
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0313.jpg

Fits like a glove
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0349.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0316.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0342.jpg

A hair off of 4 inches overall height
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0343.jpg

2 inches thick
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0339.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0344.jpg

Mounting brackets
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0318.jpg

Top view...U-bolts and bracket
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0346.jpg

Bottom
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0321.jpg

AN fitting on cooler inlet, and oil line
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0323.jpg

Oil line
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0324.jpg

Oil pipe (modified stock one?) and compression fitting
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0322.jpg

AN fitting on cooler return/ 90 degree AN fitting
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0327.jpg

180 degree return hose
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0326.jpg

Fitting on tank return
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0325.jpg

[NacsMXer]

Now for the SPAL fan install!...
Being that the fan is a 4 inch fan, and the oil cooler is a 4 inch height....that presented a problem since the holes in the fan wouldn't be peeking out over/under the oil cooler. Therefore, I needed to devise some type of extension brackets to get the mounting holes in the fan to actually peek out over/under the cooler.

SPAL 4 inch puller :macho
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0309.jpg

My "extension brackets", and stainless countersunk screws/nylock nuts with which to mount them
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0311.jpg

Mounting brackets for the front of the cooler (6" mending plates), and stainless screws/nylock nuts
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0312.jpg

I took the 2" mending plates and cut off the extra length I did not need with a cut off wheel. Then I took an air file and added some bevels for appearance. The line in red marks the material I still needed to take off to get the holes to line up with the fan.
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_03555.jpg

I noticed that the mounting "boss" on the fan was flush with the surface of the fan that would be attaching to the cooler. To prevent metal on metal contact between the cooler and my extension brackets, I shaved the holes in the fan with a dremel so that they were no longer flush.
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0354.jpg

Extension brackets mounted to fan
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0356.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0357.jpg

I then test fitted the fan to the cooler, marked the upper/lower boundaries of the cooler, and drilled holes in the brackets accordingly. The upper left bracket in the pic needed to be rotated a little different to clear the gas tank shield.
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0358.jpg

[NacsMXer]

Then I cut some clear PVC hose and wrapped it on the fan's mounting surface to "soft" mount it and prevent chafing (credit to REPOMAN for the idea!)
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0359.jpg

Here I took the front mounting brackets and drilled random holes to allow for more airflow (didn't have to be pretty). Circled in red are the actual holes I used to mount it.
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_03606.jpg

I then took some more of the clear hose and wrapped the edges of the brackets to prevent chafing.
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0361.jpg

Added some more hose to the top screws to prevent chafing should the fan drop on the cooler for some reason.
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0366.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0367.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0363.jpg

[NacsMXer]

Finally mounted!
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0370.jpg

Front brackets
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0384.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0385.jpg

Enough pics yet? lol
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0376.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0377.jpg

Extension brackets close, but not touching the cooler, as I had planned
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0371.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0379.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0372.jpg

Perfect fit...didn't even have to trim the gas tank heat shield. I lucked out with the upper right bracket, it's close but not touching.
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0002.jpg

[NacsMXer]

Now for the wiring. I tried to solder as many connections as possible. It was my first time soldering anything so some of the joints weren't that pretty, but they were solid. Here is a micromini toggle I got from Radioshack for $3. Having the fan on a switch is nice.
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0352.jpg

I wanted the fan to be fused, so I also picked up a fuse holder and installed a 3 amp fuse in it.
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0353.jpg

Here is my switch harness, almost finished. The switch had tiny solder tabs, so I needed to use tiny 22 gauge wire coming off the switch. The fuse holder unfortunately had rather thick 12 gauge wire leads, so I had to solder them to the 22 gauge coming off the switch...it's a ridiculous transition, but both are plenty capable of handling the 1.9 amps the fan draws. I made sure to add heat shrink to the solder joints at the switch to further reinforce them. I then added insulated bullet connectors (one is missing here), to each end of the harness so that I would be able to remove it with the front plastics.
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0387.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0388.jpg

I then clipped off the connector that comes on the fan harness, and soldered 16 gauge wire to it to extend the harness. I grounded the ground to the frame and installed insulated bullet connectors to my power wires. Red tape for positive power source, yellow tape for fan power wire. I then proceeded to run the power source wire back towards the battery.
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0400.jpg

[NacsMXer]

Ran the wires carefully down the frame rail. I grounded the ground to the coil bolt circled in red.
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_04011.jpg

Into some wire loom for protection
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0404.jpg

Then into an existing hole in the airbox
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0402.jpg

To the positive battery terminal
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0403.jpg

Figured out a good spot to mount my switch and harness on the front plastics
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0395.jpg

Done! :D
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0405.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0406.jpg

[NacsMXer]

First impressions are this thing moves a ton of air! It was kind of a pain doing all these extra steps but it was worth it in the end. I haven't gotten a chance to get an actual ride with it in yet but I was able to let the quad idle for over 10 minutes in one spot without the motor breaking a sweat. I'm eager to see how it performs while i'm tearing it up on a hot summer day. I may get one of those XR's only temp dipsticks to see the actual difference with the fan running and not.

Thanks for reading! :cool:

[bigredisb]

Great information! Thanks!

[Newrider08]

VERY GOOD WRITE UP

You should stick this guys

[sc400ex_rider]

looks sweet, what kind of scoops are those?

[honda400ex2003]

very nice, maybe we can get it to be a sticky or a how to also. Very clean and will work well for you. you will never have cooling issues again with that setup. steve

[ae13291]

wow that is a good set up! i dident know they sell that cooler, im still working on intalling my hyabusa oil cooler, but the hyabusa one is a tad bit bigger.

[DirtMonkey]

Sweet thread! Thanks for the write up

[crxjarred]

ok so you have to manualy turn it on and off would it be bad to run this all the time like have the fan kick on as soon as you turn the key would this keep it too cool or is that posibal and would there be any problem going into mud or water good wright up thanks

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by crxjarred
ok so you have to manualy turn it on and off would it be bad to run this all the time like have the fan kick on as soon as you turn the key would this keep it too cool or is that posibal and would there be any problem going into mud or water good wright up thanks

It's nice to have the fan on a switch so that you have the option of not running it all the time. This allows you to warm up a cold motor faster (without a running fan counteracting that), and allows the fan to be turned off when needed such as if you are doing some high speed runs (enough airflow will be going across the cooler if you are going this fast). You can always splice into your ignition wires so that it runs all the time whenever the key switch is on, but you won't have a choice to turn if off if you want to unless you kill the engine. And this SPAL fan was specifically designed for use off road, so it is fully sealed and waterproof. You need not worry about getting dirt or water into it.

Oh, and sc400ex_rider, the CF air scoops are from Quad Tech....and unfortunately they don't offer them anymore, much like most of their cool stuff they used to make :o

It's cool this got stickied, thanks to the mod that got that done ;) Glad you guys found it helpful. :)

Seemed like it would help out someone that wanted to retrofit a bigger oil cooler, like the hayabusa cooler ae13291 mentioned. If you have a stock oil cooler, the install is much simpler, as you do not need to fab up extension brackets. The existing mounting holes on the fan stick out above/below the stock cooler just fine.

I took the plunge and got a XR's only temp dipstick on the way...i'll be sure to report the difference in temps when I can.

Definitely recommend this SPAL fan mod for anyone with a 400EX, snatch one up for 30 bucks new on Ebay like I did while you still can!

I need to write this up but heres a good way i did...

I dont have a headlight, so I just sliced the purple wire going into the headlight harness. I also sliced the green wire, which is the ground and wired it in that way. If you dont have a headlight its a easy way and dont have to run a toggle. Even if you have a headlight, you can wire to your switch. Just wire into the purple or grey wire for power. Of course you will lose your option for your reg or bright lights. (whichever you prefer)

[hypersnyper6947]

I did mine by just running the wires off the fan straight to the battery pos and neg terminals, i wired a toggle in between that so i cant flick it on whenever i want. I mounted the fan with zip ties, they hold it tight and they dont block any air. Unfortunatley when i bought my fan they were $60, so if you can find it on ebay for $30 jump on it:D Great write up, im glad this got stickied people are always asking about it, NacsMXer you surely did a nice clean install.

If I ever do this mod, I'm doing it slightly differently. I would buy a temp switch for the oil tank. You can set the switch so that at a certain temperature it kicks on automatically and stays on until the temp goes back down.
I would just have to find a way to mount the sensor so it touches the oil and what running temperature is.

But sweet write up and you did a REALLY clean install:cool:

[sc400ex_rider]

Originally posted by sc400ex_rider
this is the temp switch its rated at 180*F I got this one out of an electric fan install kit for a car. the threaded part you push into the radiator fins. if you search the web im sure you can find one. or call any major auto electric fan company and tell them you need a 180*F thermoswitch.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/starcraftier1/S4011151.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/starcraftier1/S4011150.jpg
i had the sensor pushed into the oil cooler but it didnt work to well. by the time the oil/cooler and sensor got to 180F it was all ready too hot. so i mounted the sensor directly to the head with a good chunk of alluminum. see how i drilled a hole and have the round post going into the tab for maxx heat transfer. this system works really well mounted to the head. the fan will come on after about 5 min of riding (not WFO) and will go off after about 5 mins of being turned off. i was worried about it running to long and killing the battery. im sure this could be further tuned by the thickness of the mounting plate. (a thinner plate would prob cycle on/off faster).
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/starcraftier1/S4011153.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/starcraftier1/S4011158.jpg
this is the fan i used, i blew my rear shock so i didnt have $60 for a spal i got this one for $10 shipped from ebay. the specs are great 92MM x 38MM (3.75"x1.80") 111cfm 1.1 amp draw 5500 rpm ect. its not waterproof so i dreanched the insides with waterproofing sillicon spray. im not sure how long it will last. i did research on watercooled pc fans and alot of them are "enviromentily coated". i dont ride deep mud or water and after washing it i let it warm up and let the fan kick on for a minute. this fan throws alot of air at the motor and is not to loud. it fit very well with no hacking. this pic is compaired to a reg 80mmx20mm pc powersupply fan. it is very powerfull if you hook power up to it on the bench it WILL start to take off!! if it catches your finger while your trying to stop it, your finger will hurt for 2 hours. im going to mount the fan better than zip ties, this is just a prototype/proof of concept. TY
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/starcraftier1/S4011148.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/starcraftier1/S4011149.jpg
NEW DELL POWEREDGE SERVER FAN 92mm 38mm VA350DC 110CFM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180169516760&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=008

[tyman2395]

hey would i feel a difference if i put a fan on my stock oil cooler? here is 2 i got


http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr286/tyman2395/my%20400ex/100_1398.jpg

http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr286/tyman2395/my%20400ex/100_1397.jpg

http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr286/tyman2395/my%20400ex/100_1396.jpg

[sc400ex_rider]

i put 3 of the small ones (80x20MM) on mine. 2 on the front, on each side of the steering stem pushing and one in the middle on the back pulling. there was hardly any air flow. they dont work well when the fans are mounted up against some thing so i took them all off and got one bigger hi performance fan. you can try it if your bored one day but it barely produced a slight breeze while the bigger one makes a tornado !!!
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/starcraftier1/S4011147.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/starcraftier1/S4011142.jpg

[tyman2395]

here is the switch i put on hows it look it was off an old computer

http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr286/tyman2395/my%20400ex/100_1411.jpg

[tyman2395]

k guys heres some more stuff i got done like i got the switch on prev pic, i got a fuyse box i had off my old battery relay i am gonna use like nacs did as you can see the black wire on there is gonna run from the fuse box to the switch then then i am gonna run the littl wire on the fan to the other prong on the switch. Then the 2 other negative wires i am gonna splice them together then splice that with another black wire i have and run that to the positve on the battery. and then the wire on the other side of the fusebox to the battery then it's done thats nacs for the pics to they helped out alot

http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr286/tyman2395/my%20400ex/100_1413.jpg

[richards]

Thanks for the writeup, I'm going to get one for my 400ex.

That is the same fan that KTM sells in their fan kit for the water cooled KTM bikes. It is a good choice, have not heard of any issues with them off road and lots of folks in the KTM community use them. I have one on my 450excr and it really helps on nasty/slow trails where you cannot get much airflow through the rads.

On a water cooled setup you can use a temp switch plumbed into the rad hose and it works well, reacting quickly to rising and falling temps. I'm going to look into a similar setup to switch based on oil temp, if I can get something working well I will post back here. The setup with a temp sensor on the head looks good as well and I will use that if I cannot find a decent way to sense oil temp directly.

[Pipeless416]

just curious, how many amps can safely be drawn for a fan? i found a 5.2 inch fan that im thinking about putting on my FST cooler that moves about 283 cfm and draws 1.9 amps.. any ideas?

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by Pipeless416
just curious, how many amps can safely be drawn for a fan? i found a 5.2 inch fan that im thinking about putting on my FST cooler that moves about 283 cfm and draws 1.9 amps.. any ideas?

Not sure what exactly the limit is, but there is some "gimme" with the stock stator output.

283 cfm is some serious airflow...that's over double what the 4" SPAL moves :eek2:

1.9 amps is the same as what the SPAL fan draws, and is no problem for the stock stator. I don't see any reason why it shouldn't work. You'd have one efficient setup mounting it to the FST cooler :cool:

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by richards
Thanks for the writeup, I'm going to get one for my 400ex.

That is the same fan that KTM sells in their fan kit for the water cooled KTM bikes. It is a good choice, have not heard of any issues with them off road and lots of folks in the KTM community use them. I have one on my 450excr and it really helps on nasty/slow trails where you cannot get much airflow through the rads.

On a water cooled setup you can use a temp switch plumbed into the rad hose and it works well, reacting quickly to rising and falling temps. I'm going to look into a similar setup to switch based on oil temp, if I can get something working well I will post back here. The setup with a temp sensor on the head looks good as well and I will use that if I cannot find a decent way to sense oil temp directly.

Thanks for the info. Post your progress if you can. Glad this sparked some new ideas in you guys...

[Pipeless416]

Originally posted by NacsMXer
Not sure what exactly the limit is, but there is some "gimme" with the stock stator output.

283 cfm is some serious airflow...that's over double what the 4" SPAL moves :eek2:

1.9 amps is the same as what the SPAL fan draws, and is no problem for the stock stator. I don't see any reason why it shouldn't work. You'd have one efficient setup mounting it to the FST cooler :cool:

just realized it was a "pusher" spal fan.. figures.. it was only $32 shipped haha.

[sc400ex_rider]

you can use a pusher fan, just reverse the wire hook up to turn it into a puller. pos is neg and neg to pos.

[Pipeless416]

Originally posted by sc400ex_rider
you can use a pusher fan, just reverse the wire hook up to turn it into a puller. pos is neg and neg to pos.

oh dur. thats how much i have retained from the two strictly electrical based classes ive had :o :p

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by sc400ex_rider
you can use a pusher fan, just reverse the wire hook up to turn it into a puller. pos is neg and neg to pos.

Just got to make sure the blades aren't directional if you try this. If i'm not mistaken, the blades are reversed when going from a SPAL pusher to a puller :ermm:

Not sure how much an effect this will have when reversing a fan with directional blades :confused: Have you tried this when you experimented with those PC fans? How did it work out?

[Pipeless416]

well i just ended up getting the spal 4 inch puller fan. do you guys think i should mount this to the FST cooler or the regular cooler? im guessing the FST cooler since it feeds the top end, which gets the hottest. any suggestions?

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by Pipeless416
well i just ended up getting the spal 4 inch puller fan. do you guys think i should mount this to the FST cooler or the regular cooler? im guessing the FST cooler since it feeds the top end, which gets the hottest. any suggestions?

That's a good question. I'm not familiar with how the FST cooler is plumbed into the stock system. Does the oil go from the stock cooler, to the FST cooler, and then back to the head as the return? It would probably be easier to mount it to the stock cooler (very simple, all you need is 2 "mounting straps" for the front of the cooler like I used, and 4 long screws/nuts). You could always come up with a custom mount for the FST cooler as well to boost the heck out of its current efficiency. If the FST cooler is "2nd in line" behind the stock cooler, i'm not sure if cooling the stocker or cooling the FST will gain more benefit...or if it will just equal out. :confused:

I finally got my XR's only temp dipstick and was able to see some results from this SPAL fan install today. I rode my quad around my property (don't have much) for about 10 minutes to warm things up. I was riding slow in 1st and 2nd gear with occasional quick bursts into 3rd. After that period of time I looked at the temp dipstick and it was at 175 degrees. With the quad still idling in one spot, I flicked on the SPAL fan and rode around for 2 minutes in the same gears at similar speeds. Came to a stop, looked down and the temp had dropped to 160.

Granted, 15 degrees isn't huge, but a 15 degree drop in 2 minutes is pretty good. It took longer warming the thing up from 160 to 175 than it took to cool down back to 160. Proves the fan indeed works.

I had a little idea with this temp dipstick since it doesn't come with any reference markings. I took a green and red sharpie and marked little zones indicating when the quad is up to temp and in its safe operating temperature, and when its starting to get hot. Should make it a lot easier to quickly glance at the dipstick and see where the needle's at, rather than trying to read the exact number. Don't know how I ran for so long without one of these things, it's a great little tool to have!

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/7889/dsc0003qgk.jpg (http://img25.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc0003qgk.jpg)

[Pipeless416]

thats a great idea to mark the temperature ranges. the FST cooler is actually a separate cooler that requires tapping into the clutch case and the valve cover. there is a passage on the cam chain side of the cylinder for the oil to go from the bottom end to the top end. with the FST cooler, it diverts the oil into the cooler and is supposed to deliver cooler oil to the valve train. im kind of lost on what to do here. i suppose since the head gets the hottest it should get the coolest oil and i should put it on the FST cooler?

[Pipeless416]

you can see where the oil comes from right behind the clutch cover and where it goes back into the head at the valve cover.

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by Pipeless416
thats a great idea to mark the temperature ranges. the FST cooler is actually a separate cooler that requires tapping into the clutch case and the valve cover. there is a passage on the cam chain side of the cylinder for the oil to go from the bottom end to the top end. with the FST cooler, it diverts the oil into the cooler and is supposed to deliver cooler oil to the valve train. im kind of lost on what to do here. i suppose since the head gets the hottest it should get the coolest oil and i should put it on the FST cooler?

Ok I get it now. The FST cooler is a "stand alone" unit so you basically have 2 oil coolers working separately delivering cooled oil to different locations.

You're right since the head gets the hottest, it is most logical to put the fan on the FST cooler. You would get max cooling of the oil going to the head that way.

You can always buy another SPAL down the road and mount it to the stock cooler as well for the most overkill yet awesome setup ever muhahha :eek2: :devil:

[BikeSwimLaugh]

WELL DONE!!!

Not to sound like a techno-nut, but given the width of the oil cooler radiator, you really could run 2 of those fans side-by-side...you already have the electrical running down there, just splice & dice the wires and double the pleasure! :D

[sc400ex_rider]

I would mount it to the stock one. the fan blowing on the head does just as much as cooling the oil. especially when you stop for 5-10 minutes thats when most of the heat soak happens. i have a temp switch and it will run about 5 minutes until the head is cold. not to mention the stock cooler mounts up so high it dont get barley any air flow. the front mount fst already has direct cool air available.

[red_rider_069]

Originally posted by NacsMXer
It's nice to have the fan on a switch so that you have the option of not running it all the time. This allows you to warm up a cold motor faster (without a running fan counteracting that), and allows the fan to be turned off when needed such as if you are doing some high speed runs (enough airflow will be going across the cooler if you are going this fast). You can always splice into your ignition wires so that it runs all the time whenever the key switch is on, but you won't have a choice to turn if off if you want to unless you kill the engine. And this SPAL fan was specifically designed for use off road, so it is fully sealed and waterproof. You need not worry about getting dirt or water into it.

Oh, and sc400ex_rider, the CF air scoops are from Quad Tech....and unfortunately they don't offer them anymore, much like most of their cool stuff they used to make :o

It's cool this got stickied, thanks to the mod that got that done ;) Glad you guys found it helpful. :)

Seemed like it would help out someone that wanted to retrofit a bigger oil cooler, like the hayabusa cooler ae13291 mentioned. If you have a stock oil cooler, the install is much simpler, as you do not need to fab up extension brackets. The existing mounting holes on the fan stick out above/below the stock cooler just fine.

I took the plunge and got a XR's only temp dipstick on the way...i'll be sure to report the difference in temps when I can.

Definitely recommend this SPAL fan mod for anyone with a 400EX, snatch one up for 30 bucks new on Ebay like I did while you still can!




quik kuestion
how much was your total price to get your brackets, fan, and anything you used? aswell as time? how long did it take you to get everything gathered up, and how long to actually install it.. you might hvae posted it but i only got to this page hehe. so hit me up thanks

[racer 557]

i found kit on ebay included everything it was like 90 shipped to my doorcant wait till it gets here

[matt14c]

Hey Nacsmxer do you know anymore information on the oil cooler? Im went to Setrab site and it needs the AN fitting size and I have no idea what that is. I found the cooler and I may even go to the next model which is just 3/4" taller and 3 more rows. Then what else would I have to do?

[red_rider_069]

Originally posted by racer 557
i found kit on ebay included everything it was like 90 shipped to my doorcant wait till it gets here spall fan and brackets and all eh? cool.. so uh does it comes with instructions or jsut do what ucan?

[racer 557]

Originally posted by red_rider_069
spall fan and brackets and all eh? cool.. so uh does it comes with instructions or jsut do what ucan?

said it comes with fuse switch fan brackets and direction to put on but ill let you know when i get it it should be in this week

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by red_rider_069
quik kuestion
how much was your total price to get your brackets, fan, and anything you used? aswell as time? how long did it take you to get everything gathered up, and how long to actually install it.. you might hvae posted it but i only got to this page hehe. so hit me up thanks

Never really calculated the total cost. It was around $50 total for everything when it was all said and done.

Time? I took my time while doing this, and it was a lot of "test and fit" type work so I put a lot of hours into the project. Took me a couple days to complete it. First day was mostly measuring stuff, going to the store to get brackets, hardware, etc. Then I fabricated all my brackets. Second day was mostly wiring, and making everything a clean install. Took me a lot more time, researching here on ATVriders about other people's SPAL fan setups and how they mounted it. I had to go a slightly different route due to the larger non-stock oil cooler I have.

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by matt14c
Hey Nacsmxer do you know anymore information on the oil cooler? Im went to Setrab site and it needs the AN fitting size and I have no idea what that is. I found the cooler and I may even go to the next model which is just 3/4" taller and 3 more rows. Then what else would I have to do?

I don't have any more info, sorry. There are no numbers or markings on my cooler that I can see. I was thinking it was a Setrab simply due to the striking similarity in design. Don't know what the AN fitting size is either, my apologies.

If you were to fab up your own kit, your female fittings on your custom oil lines would dictate which size the male AN fittings on the oil cooler would have to be.

Basically you need to fab up mounting brackets for the cooler, and get a hydraulic shop to custom make you the oil lines. The mounting brackets are not something I would personally tackle to fab up, but they are completely do-able. The pictures are the best I can offer, I simply bought the kit and bolted it on so I unfortunately cannot offer a "how to" on the brackets or oil lines. I was just sharing the pics for those mechanically-inclined enough to come up with something similar. Again, not something I have the skill to do, but there's many on this site that do.

[BamBam21]

Anyone have the temps theirs run while riding pretty hard?? I just put a B&M cooler with spal fan and thermostatic control on my 03 and so far in semi humid 80* weather the most I've seen is 195*, just curious what others run at?? I have to take some pics and post them up.


BB

[Ryan'07400ex]

Someone on this site said a pusher fan won't fit but aren't they the same you just reverse the wires?
I just got a pusher one ebay and thought I could make it pull. Is that wrong?

[Pipeless416]

Originally posted by Ryan'07400ex
Someone on this site said a pusher fan won't fit but aren't they the same you just reverse the wires?
I just got a pusher one ebay and thought I could make it pull. Is that wrong?

yes, they were right because the fan blades are directional.

[Ryan'07400ex]

So I messed up, that sucks. Maybe I can send it back.

[sc400ex_rider]

Originally posted by Ryan'07400ex
Someone on this site said a pusher fan won't fit but aren't they the same you just reverse the wires?
I just got a pusher one ebay and thought I could make it pull. Is that wrong?

I TALKED WITH THE guy who sells them on ebay and he said you could reverse the wires. hook it up to power and test it before you send it back. If it rotates one direction and moves air one way, reversing the direction should move the air the other way. on some fans it might be an issue because the blades are curved but the spal blades are very square. try it out and let us know, im still running a PC fan thats not water proof for over a year and people said it wouldnt work either.....................let us know!!! thx

[richards]

It is a DC motor so the fan will spin the other direction if you reverse the wires. However, the fan blades are designed to move air one direction and will be less efficient moving it in the other direction. That is why they have separate push and pull models.

My fan project is stalled at the moment because I cannot find a good deal on a pull fan. The guy that had them on ebay is out.

[Pipeless416]

Originally posted by sc400ex_rider
I TALKED WITH THE guy who sells them on ebay and he said you could reverse the wires. hook it up to power and test it before you send it back. If it rotates one direction and moves air one way, reversing the direction should move the air the other way. on some fans it might be an issue because the blades are curved but the spal blades are very square. try it out and let us know, im still running a PC fan thats not water proof for over a year and people said it wouldnt work either.....................let us know!!! thx

SPAL fan blades are pretty curved.. i bet the CFM rating would be cut in half if it was reversed.

[Ryan'07400ex]

Originally posted by Pipeless416
SPAL fan blades are pretty curved.. i bet the CFM rating would be cut in half if it was reversed.

"Hi....Though it is not recommended by the manufacturer (SPAL), I just had a customer do the exact same thing and so far he is pleased. I currently do not have any Pull's so best bet would be to give it a try.

Regards"


- troygaud (ebay seller)

Looks like I will try it. I have a stock motor except the sparks key makes it a bit hotter so I probably don't need it so maybe it will be good enough. I'll let you guys know if it all works out.

I am guessing you couldn't mount it on the other side. not enough space? or will it fit?

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by Ryan'07400ex
"Hi....Though it is not recommended by the manufacturer (SPAL), I just had a customer do the exact same thing and so far he is pleased. I currently do not have any Pull's so best bet would be to give it a try.

Regards"


- troygaud (ebay seller)

Looks like I will try it. I have a stock motor except the sparks key makes it a bit hotter so I probably don't need it so maybe it will be good enough. I'll let you guys know if it all works out.

I am guessing you couldn't mount it on the other side. not enough space? or will it fit?

Yeah, there's not enough room on the front side of the oil cooler. The steering stem is right there.

You can try reversing the fan's polarity to turn it into a "puller", but it won't be very efficient at moving air. It will move air, but with the fan blades pointing in the opposite direction that they should be, you're definitely leaving a lot on the table as far as what the fan is capable of. I would try to return the fan, and get a puller unit instead.

[Ryan'07400ex]

Originally posted by NacsMXer
Yeah, there's not enough room on the front side of the oil cooler. The steering stem is right there.

You can try reversing the fan's polarity to turn it into a "puller", but it won't be very efficient at moving air. It will move air, but with the fan blades pointing in the opposite direction that they should be, you're definitely leaving a lot on the table as far as what the fan is capable of. I would try to return the fan, and get a puller unit instead.

So is there no way of changing the blades are they molded on or are there some screws.
I almost don't really care anymore just saying that i have a fan is good enough with all my friends 400ex sitting there roastin' like i said motor never has "overheated" so i think a little pull will be ight.

[racer 557]

you could make some drop down packets that go down say a intch and tilt backwards towards exahust pipe say half inch and put it on front shouldnt be that hard just get some aluminiom like they use on dirt latemodels light weight easy to cut yet strong

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by Ryan'07400ex
So is there no way of changing the blades are they molded on or are there some screws.
I almost don't really care anymore just saying that i have a fan is good enough with all my friends 400ex sitting there roastin' like i said motor never has "overheated" so i think a little pull will be ight.

The blades are molded into the the center "cup" that holds them on the fan. It is molded as one piece of plastic, so there is no way of changing them. Check out this pic from the beginning of this thread:
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu289/nacsmxer/DSC_0359.jpg

You could try buying a "puller" fan blade assembly from SPAL and try to replace your current "pusher" fan hub with it. I have no idea on the cost of that, but might be worth a try.

[Ryan'07400ex]

Originally posted by NacsMXer

You could try buying a "puller" fan blade assembly from SPAL and try to replace your current "pusher" fan hub with it. I have no idea on the cost of that, but might be worth a try.

I am gonna try the pusher reversed first and if it doesn't work screw it I am not spending any more on it. Mine isn't the hot usually anyway, just thought it be 1 up on my friends ex's mostly haha.

[sc400ex_rider]

LOL sorry but those blades are not directional they are the same angle off center on both sides with a normal blade pitch. If you change the rotation it will change the direction of airflow. In stead of scooping air from one way its simply scooping it the other way. just reverse the wires. Im sorry there is no other way i can translate it to REDNECK!! :blah:

PMed you Ryan'07400ex ;)

[Snipe]

I bought a pusher fan as well. there is a $6 difference between a push and pull just cause the blades are different direction. I just bought the push fan and wired it up backwords. Its only a 12V device it will run backwords if you wire the ground to power and power to ground. Works same as pull fun and only cost me $29 brand new.

[richards]

The blades have a curve built in so they are directional. Not a curve on the leading or trailing edge, but a curve in the cross section of the blade. Like a boat or airplane propeller, it will work backwards but not as well.

If someone has one unmounted maybe you can do a comparison for use - fan running as designed and backwards. I'm not really up for dismounting mine to do a test.

[Pipeless416]

Originally posted by sc400ex_rider
LOL sorry but those blades are not directional they are the same angle off center on both sides with a normal blade pitch. If you change the rotation it will change the direction of airflow. In stead of scooping air from one way its simply scooping it the other way. just reverse the wires. Im sorry there is no other way i can translate it to REDNECK!! :blah:

PMed you Ryan'07400ex ;)

no, you're wrong. the blades are CURVED, meaning DIRECTIONAL.

[Snipe]

I have mine wired up backwords and it pushes same amount of air either way. I wired it up to a twelve volt phone charger to test it after I got it in the mail. Works either way and works great no worries on wiring it up backwords it works 100% I swear.

[sc400ex_rider]

Here is the cross section of the fan. There is no difference in section " A" as stated earlier. Unless there is a difference in the blue "B" area i dont see how they could be different. As long as it dont look like the 2nd fan it will be ok. these fans throw a lot of air and I doubt you could even tell the difference.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/starcraftier1/fan.jpg

[richards]

Yes there is a difference in the blue area you highlighted.

A cross section view of the blade would look from the side at the edge of the blade. From that point of view the fan blade is curved like an airfoil.

I agree it would work running backwards, just will not be as efficient as it would be running in the designed direction. Without a way to test I have no way of even guessing what the difference would be.

[Ryan'07400ex]

What is the best route in taking to getting power to it. I want to have a toggle switch. l'd rather connect it to something under my hood if possible. anybody no a good wire up front or any other useful info on this?
I am reverse a pusher and i don't care about it may reduce air flow, I am trying it cause can't get puller yet.

[sc400ex_rider]

You can come off the battery + or the constant hot wire on the starter relay. Just take off the nut and use a round eyelet connector, thats what i did. I dont recommend Jumping or splicing into the under hood harness because everything runs through a 10 amp fuse. Also put a 5a fuse close to the +12v connection in case it ever shorts to ground it wont burn up your quad. Just run the wire up the left side frame rail.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/starcraftier1/S4011991.jpg

you can make a fuse holder if you need

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/starcraftier1/S4011988.jpg

[Ryan'07400ex]

Originally posted by sc400ex_rider
You can come off the battery + or the constant hot wire on the starter relay. Just take off the nut and use a round eyelet connector, thats what i did. I dont recommend Jumping or splicing into the under hood harness because everything runs through a 10 amp fuse. Also put a 5a fuse close to the +12v connection in case it ever shorts to ground it wont burn up your quad. Just run the wire up the left side frame rail.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/starcraftier1/S4011991.jpg

you can make a fuse holder if you need

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/starcraftier1/S4011988.jpg

I wish I would of thought of the fuse holder at radio shack today but o well my dad says he has something at Greenline to use.
Thanks for pics

[Pipeless416]

Originally posted by Ryan'07400ex
I wish I would of thought of the fuse holder at radio shack today but o well my dad says he has something at Greenline to use.
Thanks for pics

if you want, you can always just splice into the wire that you use at a later time. the fuse holder that nacsmxer used is perfect. i bought that and a little bag of 3A fuses.

[Ryan'07400ex]

You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find 4mm bolts here. I had my plastic all taken off and the switch, the zip ties, the brackets, etc, etc, and then realize I couldn't go any further than having toggle hooked up with having fan actually on. haha
so getting some from a factory near here haha. then finishing thursday and hopefully have a hot chick on the back with me friday. ahah

[Ryan'07400ex]

WEll I got mine on there and took quite a few pics so I may do a how to with a stock oil cooler. haha
think it would be good or just a waste. idc

[quadrider00]

has anybody used the 185 or 195 degree temperature switch from spal? where did u put it?

[Ba9801]

I have been thinking about this for the past couple weeks. I think that for anyone that wants to run a thermostatic switch to run their fan and they are not running a secondary top end oil cooler they could drill their clutch cover, just like the feed line for the top end cooler kit, but instead of putting the fitting for an oil line you could put a brass fitting in to screw the thermostatic switch into. I would think this would give an accurate temp reading, as it would be the feed oil right from the oil filter which would be the hot oil feeding the engine, so in turn this would be the most practical place to pick up a reading for the sensor correctly.

My main question now would be what is the optimal temperature for the engine to run at? I have seen 185 & 195 thermostatic switches available. I have an oil temp gauge in my oil tank and I have seen it go as high as 235. I do not want to have the engine run too cool and not burn off and condensation or contaminants, but I do not want to run hot and break down the oil quicker than normal either.

I will be ordering my spal fan next week and I will defiantly take pics of my project.

Let me know what you all think about the thermostatic switch location.

Thanks

[bbender85]

i've been watching ebay for a puller for weeks and its not happening, so if anyone can second Snipe's testimony i'll run a pusher backwards.

[Ryan'07400ex]

Originally posted by bbender85
i've been watching ebay for a puller for weeks and its not happening, so if anyone can second Snipe's testimony i'll run a pusher backwards.

My pusher backwards moves alot of air imo you can feel it on your legs so it is doin its job well. of course i havent seen an actual puller.

[clarence]

since i ride the dunes in 100 degree weather once i hit some tight trails my 400 of course gets pretty hot fast so i'm thinking about doing this mod on my stock oil cool? would that be a good idea? or should i just do the fst cooler? :confused:

[pepshocks]

Originally posted by NacsMXer
Yeah, there's not enough room on the front side of the oil cooler. The steering stem is right there.

You can try reversing the fan's polarity to turn it into a "puller", but it won't be very efficient at moving air. It will move air, but with the fan blades pointing in the opposite direction that they should be, you're definitely leaving a lot on the table as far as what the fan is capable of. I would try to return the fan, and get a puller unit instead. your pm box is full

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by pepshocks
your pm box is full

Thanks, try it now

[Ba9801]

OK I got my fan from ebay and I am hoping to do my install this week. I will atke some pics of it and post them soon.
:)

[honda400-4-ever]

how would you mount the 4" puller on a stock oil cooler??

[Ba9801]

You will need to make some brackets and mount it directly behind the oil cooler. You may need to trim some plastic off the gas tank lower shield to fit it. I have not had a chance to do mine yet but it does not look to difficult. Just check out all the pics on the forum about it. Alot of people have done it many different ways.

[marineco]

If Someone has or can take and post pics of the heat shield mod for a stock oil cooler I'd really appreciate it. I have a puller fan waiting to install, but i don't want to take too much off the heat shield.

[hypersnyper6947]

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i276/aclasson86/exriders/IM000574.jpg

I know it seems a little ghetto but i have had it mounted with zip ties for over a year now and i ride some hard wooped out trails and mx. Never have had any problems. Its real easy and holds like a champ

[rob_990]

Originally posted by marineco
If Someone has or can take and post pics of the heat shield mod for a stock oil cooler I'd really appreciate it. I have a puller fan waiting to install, but i don't want to take too much off the heat shield.

i just took a sharpie and marked where it hit and grinded it off.it wont really matter if you take off a little more than you have to.

[rob_990]

I know it seems a little ghetto but i have had it mounted with zip ties for over a year now and i ride some hard wooped out trails and mx. Never have had any problems. Its real easy and holds like a champ [/B][/QUOTE]

thats how mine is to and ive never had a problem

[hypersnyper6947]

Originally posted by rob_990

thats how mine is to and ive never had a problem

yup no sense in complicating things

[turbotexas]

Anyone tie this into their on/off switch? I want to have mine running when the ignition is on!!! I don't want to forget aboutit half way thru the day!!! I do have blonde hair!!!

[Ba9801]

I dont think you would want it to run all the time, it would keep the engine too cool, plus in the colder weather it would take longer to get it to warm up and get off the choke. I would put it on a toggle switch or look for a thermostatic switch to turn it on or off.

[turbotexas]

What will "to cool" do to the engine??? In the 2 strokes I have been working with the cooler the engine the better! Are 4 strokes different???
Show me a link to this therm switch? Where would you tie it into? I guess these switches come on a set temp???

I have been told in another thread that I have a 10:1 wiseco piston and a 440cc motor. The previous owner claimed to have a trinity racing header (it is larger than every other 400ex I have seen in the last few weeks 6 I looked at!) and a LEX slip on exhaust with a quite core.
The carb still looks like the stock carb. with the choke lever still intact. That might be the next thing I change!
I am in South Texas, and if it is colder than 50* My old man *** ain't riding LOL

[turbotexas]

Originally posted by turbotexas
What will "to cool" do to the engine??? In the 2 strokes I have been working with the cooler the engine the better! Are 4 strokes different???
Show me a link to this therm switch? Where would you tie it into? I guess these switches come on a set temp???

I have been told in another thread that I have a 10:1 wiseco piston and a 440cc motor. The previous owner claimed to have a trinity racing header (it is larger than every other 400ex I have seen in the last few weeks 6 I looked at!) and a LEX slip on exhaust with a quite core.
The carb still looks like the stock carb. with the choke lever still intact. That might be the next thing I change!
I am in South Texas, and if it is colder than 50* My old man *** ain't riding LOL

OH and I added 2 3" cooling fans like you would find at radio shack! I had them here at home and used them to cool CB radio amplifiers tey put out a good flow and are each using .15 amps!

[Ba9801]

Well seeing as you are in Texas you may not have as much a problem with the engine running to cool. On a 4 stroke engine you need to oil the valve train of the engine and proper oil temperature directly relates to proper oil flow. Also to cold of oil and it will take longer for the engine to come up to operating temperature & wont burn out any condensation in the crank case, to hot and you thin the oil out and it breaks down faster. As for thermostatic switches, yes they come in preset Temperatures. 180, 190, etc. THere are a couple different ideas that people have had here on where to install one. You can put it in your oil line, or maybe in your oil tank. I have even thought about putting it right into the oil passage in the engine. Any of these would consist of modifying things on the bike. The toggle switch and a temp sensor in the oil tank are really the easiest way to do it. I have mine set with a toggle for now but I am looking into options for the temp sensor.

[turbotexas]

Most places I plan on riding are either desert or dunes in the southwest! I read somewhere on here the 440 motor will run hotter so I hope It should be ok... I am more likely to forget to turn a toggle switch on so it will stay as is until we find a good way to plumb in a thermo switch.. I have a thermo switch in the radiator line on my Odyssey 350r. How much oil pressure is built up in these? Would simply cutting a rubber hose and splicing in this work, or would there be leaking issues???

[Muzzgit]

There's no reason why you can't run the wiring through the ignition and have a toggle switch in the line. If you want to leave it on, you can. It will simply come on with the ignition.

When you are riding in cold conditions, you can turn it off with it's own switch.

[smokestarter]

NacsMXer, EXCELLENT write up, don't know if it has been said but it deserves it. You're writing skills and pictures to show step by step instructions were spot on.

Thank you so much for the time you spent showing us, I am planning my setup and I know how I will start now.

[slightlybent47]

Very nice right up and a lot of good ideas throughout. When I do mine I think I’ll go with the thermo switch but also put a switch that I can manually turn it off and bypass the thermo switch so if I want to turn it manually I can.
One thing that I have discovered is that if I solder the connections on something on the bike, it will start to corrode the connector over time. I found it best to just crimp the connectors together. A soldered wire or connector will corrode that’s why all the connections on bikes and cars are crimped.

Still you did a great job and nice and clean to.

[big_poppa49]

I hate to bring up an old thread, but I haven't been on here in a long time and trying to play catch-up. So you guys are running fans on 400ex's now........hmmm.

Not trying to say its a useless mod or anything, but I have never had a problem with stock oil cooling, even after a long day of hard riding. Maybe its just a self-confident thing of knowing you have a fan on there. But I see in alot of peoples sig stating they have this done to theirs. Maybe I missed something somewhere, there is alot of pages and didnt feel like reading them all.

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by big_poppa49
I hate to bring up an old thread, but I haven't been on here in a long time and trying to play catch-up. So you guys are running fans on 400ex's now........hmmm.

Not trying to say its a useless mod or anything, but I have never had a problem with stock oil cooling, even after a long day of hard riding. Maybe its just a self-confident thing of knowing you have a fan on there. But I see in alot of peoples sig stating they have this done to theirs. Maybe I missed something somewhere, there is alot of pages and didnt feel like reading them all.

The fan makes a big difference in keeping oil temperatures at bay. This is especially true when there is not much air flowing over the cooler or engine. The fan "sucks" the air through the oil cooler and removes a lot of heat from the oil in the process. Makes a big difference in preventing lost power from "heat fade/heat soak" after prolonged riding.

I recently had my quad idling for 20 minutes in the garage while I was playing with the fuel and idle screws on my carb. With the fan running the oil temperature was stuck at a consistent 125 degrees F (not even in the operating range yet). A stock machine would be boiling hot at this point with no air to cool the motor.

This mod is not absolutely necesssary but a hot running engine like the 400 depends on the oil to cool and lubricate it. This mod does a very good job of removing heat from the oil. Heat is the enemy of performance and longevity of any motor let alone an air cooled one. Any time you can efficiently remove heat from the oil is always a good thing IMO.


....and thanks for the comments guys, i'm glad this was of use to some of you :)

[Muzzgit]

On normal fast tracks I don't have a problem.

This time last year we were down south riding some BIG dunes and the weather was pretty hot. On every day, after about half an hour my bike started pinging!

On many of the dunes, we were sidewalling them, and there was very little airflow over the motor which was working really hard.

On the way back to the cars we had the wind to our backs and my bike was cooking because there was absolutley no air flow.

I have only done about an hour in dunes since fitting the fan, and next weekend it's gonna get a work out. I'll let ya know how it goes.

[sc400ex_rider]

Originally posted by big_poppa49
I hate to bring up an old thread, but I haven't been on here in a long time and trying to play catch-up. So you guys are running fans on 400ex's now........hmmm.

Not trying to say its a useless mod or anything, but I have never had a problem with stock oil cooling, even after a long day of hard riding. Maybe its just a self-confident thing of knowing you have a fan on there. But I see in alot of peoples sig stating they have this done to theirs. Maybe I missed something somewhere, there is alot of pages and didnt feel like reading them all.

you have scoops and zero engine mods ;)

[big_poppa49]

who says you must have engine mods to have air scoops? I do mostly trail riding and sometimes having to follow behind slower riders in group rides, and even with stock engine, you still need all the air you can get. So the scoops do help, but I also like the looks too.

as to my original question about the fan, as somebody mentioned that the oil cooler helps cool the oil, which in turn cools the motor, would make since to have the fan.

[CTC B4Z]

Just bought my fan tonight. Where do you get that temperature dipstick???


and where in the burbs are ya?

[CTC B4Z]

How big of a cooler can we upgrade before we cause problems in oil flow??? Any idea how much oil pressure these things have?

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by CTC B4Z
Just bought my fan tonight. Where do you get that temperature dipstick???


and where in the burbs are ya?

Not sure on the oil cooler size/oil pressure question.

You can buy the dipstick here: http://www.xrsonly.com/content/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=1010&category_id=104&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=70

They ream you on the shipping for this little thing, but it is a very worthwhile mod for our quads. I marked mine with colored Sharpie's to indicate the 400EX's temperature ranges. Makes it easy to glance down at it quickly to see if it's in the safe zone.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/2015/dsc0003ua.jpg (http://img90.imageshack.us/i/dsc0003ua.jpg/)

[clemsonteg]

Where do you find what the normal operating temp is for this bike, I didn't seem to find it in the service manual.

[CTC B4Z]

I had seen that in the previous pages, just wasnt sure where to get it from. On their site, it says its for s 650 or something... confusing...


Someone really needs to find out the flow rating of the oil pump. I have several trans coolers off of trucks I could fit on this thing... lol

[big_poppa49]

$40 for a dang dip stick!!

Ya'll quit worrying about your temperature and just go riding!! :D

this aint no NHRA Dragster or anything....;)

[Muzzgit]

I know it's not the same bike, but the local quad mechanic put a temp guage in the water line of his daughters yammy 450 and was amazed to see how hot the thing got. The bike has no engine mods!

The other day he said "I'd rather not know" just ride the bloody thing and shut it off when you're not moving.

Personally I think a fan on the oil cooler is a good idea.
-----------------------------------------------------------

Aren't there "seven enemies of oil" or something?

heat - water - detergent - carbon - salt - time - air

Or something like that!

[CTC B4Z]

When I get my SPAL in ($35) on eBay, yes it is a puller, I'm going to custom mount my fluid cooler off a truck on the quad, with the fan ofcourse. ITs about 3 times the size of stock cooler

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by clemsonteg
Where do you find what the normal operating temp is for this bike, I didn't seem to find it in the service manual.

It's not in the manual anywhere unfortunately. I did some post digging and found out what temperatures people were seeing (those who have the temp dipstick or trail tech vapor). I was then able to establish some general operating ranges for the 400EX as far as "not so hot", "really hot" and "DANGER zone" lol. The numbers aren't set in stone, but are a good reference.



Originally posted by CTC B4Z
When I get my SPAL in ($35) on eBay, yes it is a puller, I'm going to custom mount my fluid cooler off a truck on the quad, with the fan ofcourse. ITs about 3 times the size of stock cooler

Sweet, let us know how it goes and feel free to share some pics of the install if you like :)

[CTC B4Z]

Most definately... the cooler I am not goin to spend much time on. I Would take the lines to a hydraulic shop and get nice crimps and such, but I dont think there is much oil pressure, so rubber trans lines and clamps is how I will get the cooler to connect to engine... I will pick up a spare set of oil lines sometime and get it done right, but not now its riding season and I dont want her to be down for more than a few days at a time...

I got the cooler off a Explorer at a junkyard... They have AWESOME factory trans coolers.... Econoline vans too...

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by CTC B4Z
Most definately... the cooler I am not goin to spend much time on. I Would take the lines to a hydraulic shop and get nice crimps and such, but I dont think there is much oil pressure, so rubber trans lines and clamps is how I will get the cooler to connect to engine... I will pick up a spare set of oil lines sometime and get it done right, but not now its riding season and I dont want her to be down for more than a few days at a time...

I got the cooler off a Explorer at a junkyard... They have AWESOME factory trans coolers.... Econoline vans too...

I honestly don't think you'll have oil pressure issues as far as the size of the cooler goes. As long as it's not ridiculously huge you shouldn't have a problem. And barbed fittings and hose clamps should do just fine.

[rcatvrider]

Anybody mount 2 of these on a stock oil cooler yet? It was around 80 the other day and i was reintroduced to that heat fade again. I have decided that rather than more performance mods, I will simply increase cooling since the added power from that alone is noticeable in hot weather.

[lynfrm]

dude that is a awesome install had this on my last bike but just kinda wired it to come on with the key like the switch i just used a 450r fan

[bkelley]

Anyone know how many amps this things draws? 330 CFM is some serious airflow.

SPAL Fan 4" Straight Puller 330CFM (http://tinyurl.com/y2lqfl9)

[Wheelie]

I think their numbers are off.

The SPAL fan that most are using move about 130cfm of air and draw 1.9amps.

[bkelley]

Yeah, I was thinking something wasn't right as well. I was looking on the SPAL website and those are the specs for their 6.5" fan.

[TYTE440]

Thanks for the good info and pics! :cool:

[VTredneckgames]

If anyone is wanting to do this, Im selling the fan I bought to do it. It is the Spal 4" puller as shown here. Brand new, bought from ebay.

$35 shipped.

[TORO1968]

PM sent.

[TORO1968]

Bump...I'm still interested in purchasing your fan. :D

[RATPACK Z400]

What about the themostatswitch/fan from A z400? have you looked into it ?

[82toyota]

ok are u still running stock oil pump just asking

[VTredneckgames]

Originally posted by TORO1968
Bump...I'm still interested in purchasing your fan. :D

clean out your PMs. I cant send anything back to you.

I'll email you pics tonight.

[TORO1968]

Sorry about that! Just sent you a reply to your e-mail...

[QuadJunkies]

How many Watts equal that 1.9 Amp ? Im trying to equate whether or not this will be suitable to a Raptor 250 . We are wired and ready to test but I dont want to blow fuses or have battery issues .

[thebig450es]

at 12 volts * 1.9amps = about 23 watts

[QuadJunkies]

Originally posted by thebig450es
at 12 volts * 1.9amps = about 23 watts would you happen to know where i could get exact info on what the 250 has? Were guessing 35 watts max. I dont want to fry anything.

[QuadJunkies]

OOOOHHH SHHHAT.... Looks like we will need a PULLER fan, not a PUSHER. Oh poo... Ill have to order a new fan.
Were on the right track though. LOL

[tri5ron]

watts divided by volts equals amps

[QuadJunkies]

A few freinds of ours told us
to just reverse the wiring.Never even thought of that . LOL
Should be good to go !