Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000) EG/EH/EJ/EK/EM1 Discussion

Need recommendations on a 2100+ cfm 14” fan

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Old May 28, 2018 | 08:41 PM
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Default Need recommendations on a 2100+ cfm 14” fan

This is for the condenser on my J-swapped Civic. It is a universal 12x14” condenser that has a 14” no-name fan mounted to it. What are your recommendations and experiences with various 14” fans?
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Old May 28, 2018 | 09:03 PM
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Default Re: Need recommendations on a 2100+ cfm 14” fan

I’ve been looking at Derale, Maradyne, Perma-Cool, and Mishimoto. Not very good reviews on Perma-Cool... I know nothing of Derale. Maradyne and Mishimoto are highly spoken of, but I seem to only be able to find a 1300 CFM Mishimoto 14” fan, whereas Maradyne offers a 2135 CFM 14” fan.
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Old May 29, 2018 | 05:12 AM
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Default Re: Need recommendations on a 2100+ cfm 14” fan

I've yet to find any fan manufacture that can beat Spal. Check their website for listings under the 14" sizes.

https://webstore.spalusa.com/en-us/p...fans+-+14.aspx
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Old May 29, 2018 | 06:04 AM
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Default Re: Need recommendations on a 2100+ cfm 14” fan

Thanks, Chance! I’m looking through them right now, trying to understand the specs on their PDF file... Kinda new to that, but I’m going to research that some more.

The fan may not even be the problem. My issue is that the A/C isn’t blowing as cold as it should. The stock Accord A/C charge was 19oz and the Civic was 23. I arbitrarily decided to run 24oz at first, and that seemed to be ok. But now that it’s HOT down in the South, it wasn’t working as well, so I removed 8oz of Freon. It’s still just “cool” coming out the vents, but it definitely works better driving and in cloud cover. That’s why I was thinking insufficient airflow and the need for a more stout fan.

I did some research on K-swaps that were running A/C, and they said they were having issues with the half-size Civic condensers. Something about them being to small for the K-series compressors?

To check this out, I’m going to remove the bumper, remove the condenser fan relay, get the water hose to run on the condenser coils, turn on the A/C, and feel the air out the vents. If it’s just “cool” I’ll look into a larger condenser and a better radiator fan and maybe run the no-name fan and the Mishimoto fan on the condenser. If it’s cold, I’ll get a better condenser fan.

Since this project is my first time running a custom A/C setup, I figured there’d be problems!
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Old May 29, 2018 | 06:39 AM
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Default Re: Need recommendations on a 2100+ cfm 14” fan

Just tried the running the water hose on the condenser. It blows cold! But I’m going to try it again at lunch when it’s super hot.
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Old May 29, 2018 | 08:55 AM
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Default Re: Need recommendations on a 2100+ cfm 14” fan

I’m really considering upgrading to a 14”x24” condenser with dual fans and upgrading my radiator fan to a Spal high output fan.

Still going to check this thing in the bald, open sun.
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Old May 29, 2018 | 12:14 PM
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Default Re: Need recommendations on a 2100+ cfm 14” fan

Proper level of freon and oil in the system can make a drastic difference as well, so hopefully you've got that zeroed out.

Could always use Cerakote coating or something similar as well on the condenser, might make a very mild difference.
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Old May 29, 2018 | 01:07 PM
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Default Re: Need recommendations on a 2100+ cfm 14” fan

Originally Posted by Chance EG
Proper level of freon and oil in the system can make a drastic difference as well, so hopefully you've got that zeroed out.

Could always use Cerakote coating or something similar as well on the condenser, might make a very mild difference.
It blows ice cold when the hose runs over it, so I don’t think it’s got too much oil that would cause a restriction. Freon level... 18oz, but the fan and condenser just don’t seem capable of cooling down what comes out of the compressor. Thought about the coating, but meh.
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Old May 29, 2018 | 01:55 PM
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Default Re: Need recommendations on a 2100+ cfm 14” fan

Originally Posted by Freedo_Civegra


It blows ice cold when the hose runs over it, so I don’t think it’s got too much oil that would cause a restriction. Freon level... 18oz, but the fan and condenser just don’t seem capable of cooling down what comes out of the compressor. Thought about the coating, but meh.
I think you have the right idea then with an upgraded fan and possibly a larger heat exchanger if you can fit one.

Again, mad respect for getting AC working in your J swap. I admire your effort sir.
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Old May 29, 2018 | 05:07 PM
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Default Re: Need recommendations on a 2100+ cfm 14” fan

Originally Posted by Chance EG
I think you have the right idea then with an upgraded fan and possibly a larger heat exchanger if you can fit one.

Again, mad respect for getting AC working in your J swap. I admire your effort sir.
The condenser is getting heat soaked — no if’s and’s or but’s. From driving about 7 miles after heating up to operating temperature, I noticed that it would only blow cool out the vents.

Got back to the garage and stuck my hand behind the fan, and it was way hot. The low-side hose was hardly cool to the touch when I grabbed it at the compressor, whereas it had been cold with the water running over the condenser.

This whole situation is like running a radiator that is too small. No matter how big the fan is, it just won’t cool it down.

Don’t respect me yet: it ain’t finished!
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