Rennline Billet Fan Housing - Whos done it?

[tocobill]

Doing a little research on the billet fan housing that Rennline is producing. Ive found absolutely zero data except from what Rennline and LN have posted on there website, which isnt much. Has anyone gone this route? Looking at the few pictures available it appears it resembles the 901 and 930 styles. I know there are some differences with these but its hard to tell how the billet one compares. It also appears it may come with spacers so that a variety of alternators can be used and shimmed according. Can anyone speak to this?

Im seriously thinking about backdating a 993 to a 11 blade fan with this as the cost for a 993 turbo fan is roughly a few hundred more and I dont want to roll the dice with the earlier housing and future cracks. This 2 piece billet piece isnt quite period but should fit my needs well. Thanks for any real world feedback on this.

[slow&rusty]

I just checked out Rennline's website, I had no idea they were making these. They look very cool. Interested to also read from those who have bought and installed this on their cars.

[MrBonus]

If mine ever cracks, I'd strongly consider it. I'm curious to see if anyone else has tried them.

[75 911s]

Nice parts. They come with two spacers, so they should accommodate the different depth alternators including the original (pre 83) and the newer on-board voltage regulator versions (which are the same as the post 83/carrera 3.2 depth alternators) on the market.

Here are the fan housing sizes in a graph courtesy of Tom Butler:



So by looking at that this Rennline housing should fit all 245mm fans in that list. You 65-66 and 78-79 owners are out of luck as your stock housing is smaller to accommodate a larger/smaller fan respectively.

You can see the two spacers included in the Pelican listing:



https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/RENM57GREY.htm?pn=REN-M57-GREY&msclkid=08d41f3c0568142ea32b7cd4ea4b9641

$950 though? That's a tough pill to swallow. We're talking almost $1000 for a single part. I feel like it's overpriced by about 30%

[shoooo32]

Two comments on this housing:

1) The price of billet aluminum is out of control and CNC operators are non-existent. I'm surprised they can make these for sub $1k in the US.

2) Anodized aluminum does not conduct electricity. Don't ground the coil to this housing unless you grind a some of the finish off where it contacts the engine case. Better yet, just extend the ground lead...

[75 911s]

Good call Tony. It also takes a big block of aluminum to mill out as well as the expense of the anodizing process. With inflation as it is, and the two included spacers, this is probably a fair price. I should also note that Pelican says it fits a 79 SC (226mm fan housing) as evidence of my screenshot above. It will fit, but you need a different fan right? So a bit misleading.

[tocobill]

Honestly based on what a new housing cost 993/964 turbo they are $1300 euro. Remans are $800 usd and most used are $700-900 usd with no guarantee of future failure. Given these will be a forever part no hassle I think it’s priced well next to the reman housings.

I’m sure the split design makes for a lot of the savings. I would venture to say they can nest the halfs better and EDM them into the L shaped raw blocks prior to final machining. It this was a one piece billet I’d imagine it would be $1500-2000 based on wastage. I’m honestly surprised they don’t have a solid option for those who want to pay the premium.

Still would like to see if anyone has taken the plunge yet.

[dg567]

I didnt realize it was a split design, thats a bummer. I recently grabbed a cast aluminum repro made in South Africa thats pretty nice quality.

[AG81]

Used it. Worked great. No issues.

[tocobill]

Originally Posted by AG81

Used it. Worked great. No issues.

Happen to have any other pics?

[AG81]

How many and from what angle would you like ?

[tocobill]

Originally Posted by AG81

How many and from what angle would you like ?

Do you happen to have any pre install? Im curious how apparent the break line is where the halfs meetup installed. Thanks!

[Racerbvd]

I have one from a 964 available.

[tocobill]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

I have one from a 964 available.

Thanks. I have a 993 version. Looking to backdate to a 11 blade.

[AG81]

Originally Posted by tocobill

Do you happen to have any pre install

I do not. Sorry I am not a big picture taker when I'm working on stuff.

If memory serves me it was mid point.

[rothaus]

I ordered one end of November 2022, still waiting to have it shipped. I need it for an engine I bought and the complete fan and housing was not included.

Cheers
Engelbert

[rothaus]

Here is more info on the housing. Just scroll down a bit.

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1114917-jedi-911sc-5.html

[MARISOL78sc]

Updated to rennline when I did my 1978 Rebuild 225mm housing was cracked so went to 245MM
Looks and works great!

[slow&rusty]

If mine ever cracked, I would buy the Rennline unit in a minute. Thanks for the pics guys

[75 911s]

Didn't realize it's split, so that's what the pin and extra screws are for. Pro tip from the linked thread above, put the spacer in *if needed, before assembling the halves.