Anyone here with a 1986+ done a Kuehl Wirblesturm "Hurricane" evap motor upgrade?

[mthomas58]

Before I do this just thought I check to see if anyone here with an 86+ has done this mod and what they think of the result.

Kuehl's Hurricane motor with 30% increase in airfow will only fit Behr boxes 1970 thru 1985. Thus, the way to do the mod for a 1986+ is to backdate the box cover to an 85 or earlier. I've been checking the classifieds for some time and just bought a 1984 evap box from another Pelican. My assumption here is the the OEM motor for the > 1986 and < 1985 Behr boxes generate the same CFM but I don't know this to be true.

Thanks!

[deshetlr]

I am going to run my stock '86 fan through a relay so I get full power to it. Seems like an inexpensive first step.

[PSJoyce]

Hi Mark,

I installed this on my ’85 last year, along with the Kuehl evaporator and variable fan speed controller. The "Hurricane" does feel like it puts out more CFM at max speed. Even better, it is simply much, much quieter and smooth feeling at all the intermediate speeds than the original. I added some photos of the installation to your long AC upgrade thread from last year. For me, it was a very worthwhile improvement, getting the most out of the other system upgrades.

Paul

[mthomas58]

Originally Posted by PSJoyce

Hi Mark,

I installed this on my ’85 last year, along with the Kuehl evaporator and variable fan speed controller. The "Hurricane" does feel like it puts out more CFM at max speed. Even better, it is simply much, much quieter and smooth feeling at all the intermediate speeds than the original. I added some photos of the installation to your long AC upgrade thread from last year. For me, it was a very worthwhile improvement, getting the most out of the other system upgrades.

Paul

Thanks Paul, I went back and looked at the pics you posted on the A/C thread. Still looking for certification that the Wirbelsturm generates more CFM that the 86-89 Behr OEM fan motors.

Anyone else out there get your Wirbelsturm on?

[mthomas58]

I completed the evap box backdate and Griffith's Hurricane motor upgrade this weekend. Airflow at the vents is noticably improved - highly recommend.

I mentioned this motor replacement on another thread ( front condenser upgrade) and got questions on back dating the box cover due to different motor orientations on 1985 and earlier box covers and 1986+ box covers. Confusing because parts diagrams show the same picture for both so here are some pics showing the difference.

Essentially motor upgrades are available for 1985 and earlier boxes from Griffiths and Retroair. No upgrades from anyone for 1986+ boxes are available from anyone as far as I know.

IMO the pre 1986 box cover/metal fan is a significantly better design than the later box covers with the plastic cage fan. I guess the idea was to pick up fan speed with a lighter plastic fan but the design does not allow a motor upgrade.


1984 stock fan box cover


1984 stock fan motor mounting bracket - the 4 spider legs that hold the fan motor mount get cut off to accomodate the new motor


Fan (metal) attached to new motor


Hurricane fan mounted to 1984 box cover


Stock 1987 box cover


Stock 1987 fan (plastic)

[88911coupe]

Just to clarify...does the earlier evaporator box "top" work fine on the later evaporator "lower/main" boxes or do you really need to replace the whole evap box? I am wondering if the vents and such will line up using an old evap box on a '87 -'89 Carrera.

[db_cooper]

Originally Posted by 88911coupe

Just to clarify...does the earlier evaporator box "top" work fine on the later evaporator "lower/main" boxes or do you really need to replace the whole evap box? I am wondering if the vents and such will line up using an old evap box on a '87 -'89 Carrera.

Just installed on my 86...you only need to replace the top of the evaporator box...no need to pull the entire box or even disturb the pressurized system.

Anybody want an upper box with a pretty new Bosch motor in it? I wont be going back.

[88911coupe]

Follow up, this is looking like a good option since the fan on my '88 is starting to squeak again and I don't think it's going to last the summer. Has anyone compared this product to the Retroaire improved fan motor and assembly? They both claim to substantially increase the volume of air through the system.

[mthomas58]

Originally Posted by 88911coupe

Follow up, this is looking like a good option since the fan on my '88 is starting to squeak again and I don't think it's going to last the summer. Has anyone compared this product to the Retroaire improved fan motor and assembly? They both claim to substantially increase the volume of air through the system.

DO IT! I would not survive the summer heat without it. The difference in air flow, recirculation and cabin cooling is HUGE!

[Canada Kev]

I think Griffiths now offers the fan for '86 - '89 cars with the box top. This would certainly make things easier for the later cars.

911/930 Kuehl Wirbelsturm Evap Box Assy. 86-89 911 evaporator blower motor, 930 evaporator blower motor, 901-624-901-00, 90162490100, 901 624 901 00, 901.624.901.00 [911930KuehlWirbelsturmBox86plus] : Griffiths Technical Inc

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by syzygy

I think Griffiths now offers the fan for '86 - '89 cars with the box top. This would certainly make things easier for the later cars.

911/930 Kuehl Wirbelsturm Evap Box Assy. 86-89 911 evaporator blower motor, 930 evaporator blower motor, 901-624-901-00, 90162490100, 901 624 901 00, 901.624.901.00 [911930KuehlWirbelsturmBox86plus] : Griffiths Technical Inc

FYI, that's a reconditioned 'early' box top

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by deshetlr

I am going to run my stock '86 fan through a relay so I get full power to it. Seems like an inexpensive first step.

Doesn't it already have a relay in the smuggler's box?

Love to see how you did it, please

Sorry OP for Hi-Jack

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by 88911coupe

Follow up, this is looking like a good option since the fan on my '88 is starting to squeak again and I don't think it's going to last the summer. Has anyone compared this product to the Retroaire improved fan motor and assembly? They both claim to substantially increase the volume of air through the system.

I fixed my squeeky fan by straightening out the fan liken to a bike wheel. Also I found if you don't position the fan properly it will rub against the housing resulting in squeels as well.

If you have radial play then your motor is shot.

[wwest]

If your system cannot hold the evaporator vane surfaces down to at least 35F with your current blower at full speed then a faster blower will be of little or no help.

[DRACO A5OG]

+1^

I also notice the air was colder on medium compared to the high setting on the fan blower. At least on my baby.

[Mitch Leland]

Let me add a couple of other points to all of this, when you get rid of the factory fan motor you also get rid of the resistor pak that hangs down in the return air duct. Griffith's circuit board mounts horizontally to the top of the duct so it doesn't impede the air flow.

If you're upgrading the evap fan motor, then I would also suggest buying Griffith's variable fan switch and panel cycle light to complete the package. I like the low speed setting for the fan and the cycle light gives you a heads up on what the compressor is doing at any given moment.

[Brorag]

I've blown (get it?) the budget on my recent suspension upgrade and front a/c condenser replacement.
Anybody got any ideas on doing this without dropping $350--400?
jd

[shadowjack1]

Is it the fan design or motor speed or a combo of both that gives the 30% increase air flow?

[Mitch Leland]

It's the motor, you'll be using the same fan...

[88911coupe]

I was thinking about this now that we're hitting 102 and we have not gotten to the "hot" part of the DFW summer...I'm really only hitting the upper 50s evap temp in the best of conditions so I think I really have a lot more room for improvement in the evap temp area. Thinking it makes more sense to add a Procooler on top of my additional condenser and fan in the rear wheel well, which did help things by getting the evap temps down another 8-10 degrees.