Adding fan to Carrera 3.2 1984 UK - worth it?

[Targa_whaletail]

Hi folks,

Happy Holidays!

I have a 1984 Carrera 3.2 (UK RHD). A dodgy weld (!) and poor mounting of my oil cooler has led to a new Porsche part being ordered to replace it (I assume that the part ordered is 930.207.053.00 – but I will need to check). This has got me to thinking about adding a fan. Have had a look at W Dempsey’s excellent book and the post at Porsche 911 Carrera Oil Cooler Upgrade

My questions (sorry for the long list) are:

1. OK this is an important one - for UK weather, is it even necessary to add a fan? Mechanic noted he had made this upgrade only once ever - but for a track car. I’m not tracking it, and weather is seldom over 26 deg C… Was wondering if the upgrade hassle is worth it – say after a run, meeting a traffic jam?

2. The article seems to suggest that the cooler changed from 1984 to 1985 within the Carrera line – is this correct or am I misunderstanding?

3. The fan seems to have been added in 1987, so my question is if the cooler is actually the same from ’84 – and is 930.207.053.00? Pelican Parts

4. For my car, are the only parts I need the below (some further questions on these items below):
- Fan for Oil Cooler
- Thermoswitch for Oil Cooler (stock 930.606.118.00)
- Relay and relay socket for oil cooler (911.615.109.01 and 901.612.333.00)
- Enough wiring to hook up oil cooler fan and relay
- New Horn Mounting bracket & Fender Support (911.635.107.00 and 911.504.080.00)

5. The fan part number is not listed but seems to be 911-624-121-01 – is this correct? Pelican Parts - $540 – wow that seems a lot for a fan

6. The lower temperature BMW thermoswitch Auxiliary Fan Switch - 99 deg. C, (2-Prong, Red Top) Part #: 61-31-1-364-273 is nearly $100 but not sure if the FAE compatible part is OK? Pelican Parts
The genuine Porsche (higher temperature) Thermoswitch for Fan - Late-Style Carrera Factory Oil Cooler, (requires additional 1 900-123-007-30 sealing ring) Part #: 930-606-118-00-M100 is a similar price.
This helpfully calls out an extra sealing ring 900-123-007-30 Pelican Parts

7. Relay and relay socket for oil cooler (911.615.109.01 and 901.612.333.00) – about a $100

8. Wiring – a mixture of 10 gauge and 16 gauge cable - Porsche 911 Oil Cooler Fan Wiring | 911 (1965-89) - 930 Turbo (1975-89) | Pelican Parts

9. Horn Mounting bracket 911.635.107.00 - Pelican Parts about $40

10. Fender Support 911.504.080.00 – this seems to redirect to a GRV part Pelican Parts $150
I have also come across right and left hand side parts LEFT SIDE 91150307901GRV and RIGHT SIDE 91150408000GRV – I guess I need the right hand side part?

11. I also found this listing: Electric Fan Bracket - Late-Style Carrera Factory Oil Cooler, 2 req Part #: 911-624-104-00-OEM – is this required to mount the fan to the cooler? I haven’t seen it mentioned anywhere

12. Have I missed any other hardware that would be needed?

13. Is the stone guard standard on the 1984 or added later?

14. I’ve seen an Elephant Parts kit which seems much cheaper, but seems to be for their aftermarket cooler?

Overall, looks like parts at around $1000 plus the fitting. So is it worth it?

Many thanks!

[DaveMcKenz]

For a street driven 3.2 in your climate, I would probably not add that fan for that cost. Do you have temp issues based on your oil temp gauge?
Good luck,
Dave

[Ian Comerford]

I can't answer all of your questions as I have an earlier SC but I think most people in U.K/Northern Europe manage without a fan. If you're not tracking it I wouldn't bother. Also you may find that the prices are different when you come to buy the parts in U.K. It's worth joining Welcome to Impact Bumpers - ImpactBumpers.com which is UK based and has a lot of knowledgable people

Hope this helps

Ian

[HorstP]

I don't have a fan either and even on the track never had an oil temperature issue. Fan is really only needed in stop and go traffic at very warm temperatures. As soon as you drive faster both the airflow thru the oil cooler and the engine fan provides plenty of cooling. I believe the fan was added with AC, which my car never had.
Your engine will get the hottest when you drive around a low rpms in high gears, such as 2.000 rpm in 5th gear. As soon as you increase rpm, the cylinder head temperatures and subsequently oil temp will drop significantly.

[Targa_whaletail]

Originally Posted by DaveMcKenz

For a street driven 3.2 in your climate, I would probably not add that fan for that cost. Do you have temp issues based on your oil temp gauge?
Good luck,
Dave

Originally Posted by Ian Comerford

I can't answer all of your questions as I have an earlier SC but I think most people in U.K/Northern Europe manage without a fan. If you're not tracking it I wouldn't bother. Also you may find that the prices are different when you come to buy the parts in U.K. It's worth joining Welcome to Impact Bumpers - ImpactBumpers.com which is UK based and has a lot of knowledgable people

Hope this helps

Ian

Originally Posted by HorstP

I don't have a fan either and even on the track never had an oil temperature issue. Fan is really only needed in stop and go traffic at very warm temperatures. As soon as you drive faster both the airflow thru the oil cooler and the engine fan provides plenty of cooling. I believe the fan was added with AC, which my car never had.
Your engine will get the hottest when you drive around a low rpms in high gears, such as 2.000 rpm in 5th gear. As soon as you increase rpm, the cylinder head temperatures and subsequently oil temp will drop significantly.

Thanks for all of the feedback!

Certainly, a clear trend here - not exactly a required upgrade. I don't have any temperature issues, and don't have aircon.

Good tip on rpms vs. cylinder head temperatures. I guess that translates to lugging the car at low speeds as a bad idea (changing up to 5th too early).

I've also posted in IB with a link back to here.

[Joe Bob]

Fans aren't for high speed tracking. They actually block flow. Should only be on cooler/cars that get hot due to bumper to bumper traffic. Leave it off if you don't experience traffic on a regular basis.

[Targa_whaletail]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Fans aren't for high speed tracking. They actually block flow. Should only be on cooler/cars that get hot due to bumper to bumper traffic. Leave it off if you don't experience traffic on a regular basis.

Thanks - good to know.

As an aside, posted on IB as suggested in the thread above - To add fans to '84 Carrera oil cooler or not? - Oil & Oil System - Impact Bumpers
Seems that there was an intermediate brass cooler design with vertical tubes (after the trombone cooler) and before the finned cooler. Need to check what exactly is on my car as it is in the shop. Possibly the finned cooler as it is late '84.