Electric Fan Swap Options

[LAWLence]

I got my brackets/fan/controller mocked up while I'm away from the rest of the car for the next few days. Does this look correct to those who have used the N15 brackets?


Correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume most people put the fan towards the passenger side of the radiator, as to not interfere with the water pump. I think this means that the aux fan controller bracket would need to go towards the driver's side of the radiator. If this is the case, I'm worried that in the way that I currently have it oriented, the wire aux fan plug would not reach the other side of the aux fan wiring loom.

Also, the DIY I was following (https://thebuildjournal.com/diy/n15-...fan-mount-diy/) seems to have a slightly different aux fan controller, with different wire colors. The DIY I followed did black->brown, red->blue. Since my controller has brown and grey wires, I did black->brown, red->grey. Does anyone have any info on if this was correct? Or possibly why there may be a difference in appearance/colors between cars?

That looks correct. There were different wiring colors between model years. Thanks for your purchase!

[repoman89]

Brown wires in a BMW are always ground, so you should be all set.

[Smitsky089]

I got my brackets/fan/controller mocked up while I'm away from the rest of the car for the next few days. Does this look correct to those who have used the N15 brackets?


Correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume most people put the fan towards the passenger side of the radiator, as to not interfere with the water pump. I think this means that the aux fan controller bracket would need to go towards the driver's side of the radiator. If this is the case, I'm worried that in the way that I currently have it oriented, the wire aux fan plug would not reach the other side of the aux fan wiring loom.

Also, the DIY I was following (https://thebuildjournal.com/diy/n15-...fan-mount-diy/) seems to have a slightly different aux fan controller, with different wire colors. The DIY I followed did black->brown, red->blue. Since my controller has brown and grey wires, I did black->brown, red->grey. Does anyone have any info on if this was correct? Or possibly why there may be a difference in appearance/colors between cars?

[WOLFN8TR]

Ok, do I assume correctly that the Spal will not fit in the OEM fan shroud like the Mishimoto?

There is a 16" slim line Spal fan that will but the 2049 and 2082 will not as they are to thick.

Here is a Spal fan mounted inside the OE shroud on Brians M3. I think it's a Spal 20101516 that is rated at 1469 CFM's.

[MathewM3]

Yes...

Ok, do I assume correctly that the Spal will not fit in the OEM fan shroud like the Mishimoto?

[WOLFN8TR]

Did you use the N15 brackets for the spal fan?

Yes...

[MathewM3]

I originally ran the Mishimito fan inside the OE fan shroud, worked great.

Did you use the N15 brackets for the spal fan?

[WOLFN8TR]

Can I ask why you switched?

The mishimoto fan mounted inside the OE fan shroud worked great up to 105 degrees but we get days out here in Las Vegas of 110-120 and needed more cooling. I went with the Spal 2082 fan.

[C///M]

I originally ran the Mishimito fan inside the OE fan shroud, worked great.

Can I ask why you switched?

[M3steve]

What is the rationale behind removing the aux fan vs. running two electric fans?

[WOLFN8TR]

Martyn posted that his updated tool will make the modification for the Z4M Electric Fan settings for the E46 M3 Aux Fan - https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/s...on-tool-update. Has anyone removed the aux fan and wired it to an electric fan? I believe there was a thread on M3F that showed how to wire the fan. Which fan is best to use for this application?

Thanks for the heads up on Martyn's Tool update. The Spal 2049 or 2082 fans are the most popular. I'm running the 2082.

[Smitsky089]

Martyn posted that his updated tool will make the modification for the Z4M Electric Fan settings for the E46 M3 Aux Fan - https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/s...on-tool-update. Has anyone removed the aux fan and wired it to an electric fan? I believe there was a thread on M3F that showed how to wire the fan. Which fan is best to use for this application?

Cool, I will probably look into that!

I am currently working on what you are saying (once all parts arrive) - I've removed both stock fans, will be wiring SPAL 2082 into stock aux fan controller. I was planning on following this DIY (which I'm sure is similar to what used to be on M3F). https://thebuildjournal.com/diy/n15-...fan-mount-diy/

[Slideways]

Martyn posted that his updated tool will make the modification for the Z4M Electric Fan settings for the E46 M3 Aux Fan - https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/s...on-tool-update. Has anyone removed the aux fan and wired it to an electric fan? I believe there was a thread on M3F that showed how to wire the fan. Which fan is best to use for this application?

[HassanEido]

Thanks for the clarification. Can you do this using INPA?

AFAIK no, it has to be done by reprogramming the dme for it

[Smitsky089]

Correct. I find it's much better to have it go at full tilt at 88 90 c. Especially if you actually drive your car hard enough 👍

Thanks for the clarification. Can you do this using INPA?