SPAL FANS A NON INSTALL STORY - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

GOLDCYLON · 10-17-2008

Hello I am posting this for Technical assistance for all forum members. Here is a cut and paste of the email I send to another forum member on a future SPAL fan install I was planning to do

I wanted to close the loop on this one. I finally received the fans which took a while as a factory direct ship and ended sending them back to MADVET a few days after they arrived. They arrived with no instructions a bag of bolts and two "mounting brackets". While the ad from MADVET states these are a direct replacement which to me means fits in OEM holes once you remove the factory shroud and fans It would be more correct to say they are an alternative replacement.

Both mounting frames in no way shape or form mount directly as a direct replacement. I called MADVET for assistance from their technical folks and they could not help me as they had never installed the fans on ANY C4 before. Nor did they have any instructions for the install. Nor could they find any online from the vendor.

They suggested I call Dewitt's who sells these fans which was the factory direct shippers. The fans are indeed Larger, Heavier and made in Italy. They are identical fans bolted together side by side. The only direct replacement item on them was the two electrical connectors. Dewitt's when I called never returned any of my phone messages as they were in the process of moving their operations.

MADVET tried to help but admitted hey it was beyond them. I said at my age without instructions on my DD I was not going to figure it out for them so they agreed begrudgingly to a full refund including shipping as this simply was not my problem. I had to get supervisors at MADVET directly involved to get the FULL refund.

Could I have installed them? probably but they would have looked like a cobbled in monkey butt add on item. If they were truly a direct replacement I would have installed them without hesitating. Now that I have replaced the radiator with and OEM replacement, Installed a new water pump and a set of Samcos (from the registry of course) and a stainless debris screen all my cooling nuisances have gone away.

I present this feedback to the brotherhood for anybody who was remotely considering the SPAL fan ugrade as their next project

FU · 10-17-2008

I have had good luck dealing with Tom at Dewitts. Tom's lack of response could have been a problem because of his moving to another building. He is running a special now through the end of the month at 10% off.
If you want try Tom again....business is in the out-house plus it is his "off" season.
Good Luck

GOLDCYLON · 10-17-2008

I agree the voicemail said that they were moving operations but I left a few messages and never received a return call. As they are not a true direct fit I will not be going any further with this project. If the brackets were redone for a true "direct replacement" I would take a look at the project again. The fans looked great but the mounting of them and the lack of any instuctions or technical support closed the door for me.

Chris_32212 · 10-17-2008

WHAT??? the instructions are always the first thing i throw away anyways. lol. jk. that sounds really frustrating. sucks when people providing parts or service dont have their shizz together. what made you want to upgrade the fans? just curious.

Chris

GOLDCYLON · 10-17-2008

The thought was while I was replacing the Radiator, The water pump and the hoses to go for a 4 punch combination to solve my overheating issues. As turned out the Radiator and waterpump were the crux of the problem.

The Spal fans did not show up for three weeks after doing that job so after verifying it would not direct fit I decided nah im not spending days figuring out multiple combinations to try and get them to fit. If they were a direct fit I would have installed them.

Chris_32212 · 10-17-2008

plus why put the time and effort into the fans if they aren't needed? Esepecially since it didnt' fit.

Chris

PhillipsLT5 · 10-18-2008

Stock fans just fine here in AZ
Fluidyne radiator, 180 stat, chip, runs way cool
Save your $

tomtom72 · 10-18-2008

Big D thanks for the heads up on the Spail fans.

Now I think I'll go with the newer/later mod. yr. OE stuff when I come to that point in my maint schedule. Those later fans are supposed to move more air along with having a better weather tightness to the motor cases.

Thanks for the post!

GOLDCYLON · 10-21-2008

No sweat Tom the intent was to advise any forum members who were considering the install in the future. I just wanted to point out what I found to be frustrating. The intent was not to slam anybody just advise as to what my "experience" was and potential pitfalls.

pantera1683 · 06-14-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON

No sweat Tom the intent was to advise any forum members who were considering the install in the future. I just wanted to point out what I found to be frustrating. The intent was not to slam anybody just advise as to what my "experience" was and potential pitfalls.

Thanks,

You saved me from purchasing the SPAL fans I was considering before I read this thread. Does SPAL or anyone else make higher cfm fans that will replace the stock fans and fit into the stock fan shroud?

10-17-2008	#1
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,154	SPAL FANS A NON INSTALL STORY Hello I am posting this for Technical assistance for all forum members. Here is a cut and paste of the email I send to another forum member on a future SPAL fan install I was planning to do I wanted to close the loop on this one. I finally received the fans which took a while as a factory direct ship and ended sending them back to MADVET a few days after they arrived. They arrived with no instructions a bag of bolts and two "mounting brackets". While the ad from MADVET states these are a direct replacement which to me means fits in OEM holes once you remove the factory shroud and fans It would be more correct to say they are an alternative replacement. Both mounting frames in no way shape or form mount directly as a direct replacement. I called MADVET for assistance from their technical folks and they could not help me as they had never installed the fans on ANY C4 before. Nor did they have any instructions for the install. Nor could they find any online from the vendor. They suggested I call Dewitt's who sells these fans which was the factory direct shippers. The fans are indeed Larger, Heavier and made in Italy. They are identical fans bolted together side by side. The only direct replacement item on them was the two electrical connectors. Dewitt's when I called never returned any of my phone messages as they were in the process of moving their operations. MADVET tried to help but admitted hey it was beyond them. I said at my age without instructions on my DD I was not going to figure it out for them so they agreed begrudgingly to a full refund including shipping as this simply was not my problem. I had to get supervisors at MADVET directly involved to get the FULL refund. Could I have installed them? probably but they would have looked like a cobbled in monkey butt add on item. If they were truly a direct replacement I would have installed them without hesitating. Now that I have replaced the radiator with and OEM replacement, Installed a new water pump and a set of Samcos (from the registry of course) and a stainless debris screen all my cooling nuisances have gone away. I present this feedback to the brotherhood for anybody who was remotely considering the SPAL fan ugrade as their next project __________________ GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V Last edited by GOLDCYLON; 10-17-2008 at 11:35 AM.

10-17-2008	#2
FU Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Found Member Posts: 4,346	Re: SPAL FANS A NON INSTALL STORY I have had good luck dealing with Tom at Dewitts. Tom's lack of response could have been a problem because of his moving to another building. He is running a special now through the end of the month at 10% off. If you want try Tom again....business is in the out-house plus it is his "off" season. Good Luck __________________ Frank Urbo. NCM Lifetime member # 982 Registry Founding # 237

10-17-2008	#3
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,154	Re: SPAL FANS A NON INSTALL STORY I agree the voicemail said that they were moving operations but I left a few messages and never received a return call. As they are not a true direct fit I will not be going any further with this project. If the brackets were redone for a true "direct replacement" I would take a look at the project again. The fans looked great but the mounting of them and the lack of any instuctions or technical support closed the door for me. __________________ GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V

10-17-2008	#4
Chris_32212 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver Posts: 224	Re: SPAL FANS A NON INSTALL STORY WHAT??? the instructions are always the first thing i throw away anyways. lol. jk. that sounds really frustrating. sucks when people providing parts or service dont have their shizz together. what made you want to upgrade the fans? just curious. Chris __________________ [SIZE=1]1993 Corvette ZR-1 #137, 1990 Yellow 6speed coupe, and 1991 6speed coupe.[/SIZE]

10-17-2008	#5
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,154	Re: SPAL FANS A NON INSTALL STORY The thought was while I was replacing the Radiator, The water pump and the hoses to go for a 4 punch combination to solve my overheating issues. As turned out the Radiator and waterpump were the crux of the problem. The Spal fans did not show up for three weeks after doing that job so after verifying it would not direct fit I decided nah im not spending days figuring out multiple combinations to try and get them to fit. If they were a direct fit I would have installed them. __________________ GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V Last edited by GOLDCYLON; 10-17-2008 at 03:46 PM.

10-17-2008	#6
Chris_32212 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver Posts: 224	Re: SPAL FANS A NON INSTALL STORY plus why put the time and effort into the fans if they aren't needed? Esepecially since it didnt' fit. Chris __________________ [SIZE=1]1993 Corvette ZR-1 #137, 1990 Yellow 6speed coupe, and 1991 6speed coupe.[/SIZE]

10-18-2008	#7
PhillipsLT5 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 2,450	Re: SPAL FANS A NON INSTALL STORY Stock fans just fine here in AZ Fluidyne radiator, 180 stat, chip, runs way cool Save your $

10-18-2008	#8
tomtom72 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL USA Posts: 4,645	Re: SPAL FANS A NON INSTALL STORY Big D thanks for the heads up on the Spail fans. Now I think I'll go with the newer/later mod. yr. OE stuff when I come to that point in my maint schedule. Those later fans are supposed to move more air along with having a better weather tightness to the motor cases. Thanks for the post! __________________ 1990 ZR-1, Black/grey, #2233, stock. ZR-1 Net Reg Founding Member #316 & NCM member

10-21-2008	#9
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,154	Re: SPAL FANS A NON INSTALL STORY No sweat Tom the intent was to advise any forum members who were considering the install in the future. I just wanted to point out what I found to be frustrating. The intent was not to slam anybody just advise as to what my "experience" was and potential pitfalls. __________________ GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V