Aux Fan Controller running main fan, mounting solutions/ideas?

[BigRussia]

Hey all, wow it’s been awhile since I’ve posted! I’m converting my cooling setup to having the factory Aux Fan controller running my main puller cooling fan (14” SPAL mounted in Zionsville shroud, not yet installed, front aux fan shroud already been removed for track cooling improvement), and stumped how to properly mount the controller box in the engine bay. Looking how to safely and securely mount it and I’m also under the assumption it needs some cooling airflow, like how in its factory mounting location it’s in airflow in the front aux fan shroud?
Even considered maybe drilling holes into the side edge of the Zionsville shroud and bolting it there but dont want to go down that route yet. I dont have a 3D printer of my own either.
How did those of you who are running the aux fan controller + main cooling fan setup end up mounting it? Thanks!

[George Hill]

I'm not familiar with the E46 shroud and it looks like there may not be enough room (from your pic) but this is how I did an E39, been like this for 30k+ miles

[sapote]

The fan controller needs to be mounted in front of radiator to prevent overheated.

[4getr34]

I'm planning to do this update as well. I'm wondering if you are also deleting the aux fan? I've seen some people keep it because it acts as a radiator shield against debris

[BigRussia]

I'm not familiar with the E46 shroud and it looks like there may not be enough room (from your pic) but this is how I did an E39, been like this for 30k+ miles

Hey George! Yeah no room on this one for mounting like that, since the space where the fan isnt mounted has relief flaps, unless i want to mount it over one of them and cover it. Which may be actually beneficial for the controller’s cooling requirements hmm

I'm planning to do this update as well. I'm wondering if you are also deleting the aux fan? I've seen some people keep it because it acts as a radiator shield against debris

Yup I mentioned in my OP the front aux fan and shroud has already been removed. Saw a nearly 10 degree F improvement in water temps on track. My car still has a/c (a must living in south florida) and so i just have the current mishimoto e-fan main puller on a manual switch for when I'm running it; I have its thermo probe kick-on set high so that the fan doesnt just keep running while at high track speeds and causing flow turbulence. So with going to having this SPAL fan ran with the aux fan controller i hope to resolve both dilemmas, since aux fan kicks on with A/C and the DME shouldn't have it running when driving at higher speeds on track

[George Hill]

I wouldn't sweat the "cooling" aspect of the fan controller. The one I posted is a daily driven S/C E39 540 (320k miles) and we've had no issues with the fan (it doesn't have an aux fan either).

Are you still running the stock oil cooler shroud? If not you could probably hang it off the fan shroud in the bottom RH corner.

[bigjae46]

Why does the controller need to be cooled?

[BigRussia]

I wouldn't sweat the "cooling" aspect of the fan controller. The one I posted is a daily driven S/C E39 540 (320k miles) and we've had no issues with the fan (it doesn't have an aux fan either).

Are you still running the stock oil cooler shroud? If not you could probably hang it off the fan shroud in the bottom RH corner.

Nice, glad to hear! Thanks for those details as I was curious what the car’s setup and use was.

Nope, I’m running a CSF oil cooler so no factory shroud since didn't fit onto the thicker unit.