Performance & Maintenance Engine, forced induction, intakes, exhausts, torque converters, transmissions, etc.

Fan shroud absolutely necessary?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-14-19, 12:59 PM
  #1  
Teluga
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
Teluga's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Tx
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Fan shroud absolutely necessary?

Bought an sc300 recently, missing the fan shroud. Only one I could find was on ebay that was a bit expensive. I live in texas, car has never gone above a normal temp thus far, but Im worried about this coming summer heat. I very rarely am in any stop and go traffic which might cause an issue, Should I just pay the absurd price for the piece of plastic or should I be fine? Thanks!
Old 05-14-19, 01:34 PM
  #2  
mcomer
Lead Lap
 
mcomer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: IL
Posts: 3,567
Received 865 Likes on 652 Posts
Default

Shroud both directs the air more effectively and keeps the noise down.
If it starts to overheat in traffic just turn on the heater (ain't gonna be fun...).
Old 05-15-19, 03:30 AM
  #3  
KahnBB6
Moderator
iTrader: (5)
 
KahnBB6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: FL & CA
Posts: 7,227
Received 1,242 Likes on 866 Posts
Default

It definitely is for the OEM mechanical cooling fan. The only other reliable alternative is an IS300 OEM dual electric fan swap with its integrated shroud but it's a lot of work and not really needed for stock SC. Also the OEM mechanical fan with its fluid clutch actually still flows the most CFM... with the factory shroud.
Old 05-15-19, 01:01 PM
  #4  
RudysSC
Pole Position
 
RudysSC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: CO
Posts: 2,384
Received 1,202 Likes on 833 Posts
Default

Absolutely necessary - no. Worth having on - absolutely yes.
Old 05-16-19, 01:25 PM
  #5  
Ali SC3
Lexus Champion

iTrader: (10)
 
Ali SC3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: CO
Posts: 10,761
Received 438 Likes on 368 Posts
Default

You should be fine without it until you find one for a good deal, but Texas summer and stop and go traffic with the a/c on is really going to test it.
You will usually split the plastic top part of the radiator and spit coolant out before anything worse happens, but do factor the price of a new denso radiator into your decision of if it is worth it to get the shroud.

You can also ditch the factory mechanical fan and shroud and find some IS300 fans to mount up, or some aftermarket shrouded electrical fans to put on there.
The factory shroud will probably cost less in the end, you should be able to find one in a junkyard.
Old 05-17-19, 07:15 AM
  #6  
t2d2
Lead Lap
iTrader: (8)
 
t2d2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Location: Location!
Posts: 4,681
Received 234 Likes on 214 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Ali SC3
The factory shroud will probably cost less in the end, you should be able to find one in a junkyard.
I looked for two years and only found broken ones. They seem to be built by the same dude who designed the center air vent!
Old 05-17-19, 08:21 AM
  #7  
Ali SC3
Lexus Champion

iTrader: (10)
 
Ali SC3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: CO
Posts: 10,761
Received 438 Likes on 368 Posts
Default

Really? didn't realize it was that hard to find those, I guess these cars are getting harder to find parts for now.
Old 05-17-19, 09:25 AM
  #8  
t2d2
Lead Lap
iTrader: (8)
 
t2d2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Location: Location!
Posts: 4,681
Received 234 Likes on 214 Posts
Default

I've seen plenty of SC300s, but every single one of them has had the fan shroud missing or broken. And the missing ones were probably left off because they were broken!
Old 05-17-19, 10:16 AM
  #9  
RudysSC
Pole Position
 
RudysSC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: CO
Posts: 2,384
Received 1,202 Likes on 833 Posts
Default

I can attest that mine may have a few zipties holding it in place lol.
Old 05-17-19, 02:35 PM
  #10  
Ali SC3
Lexus Champion

iTrader: (10)
 
Ali SC3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: CO
Posts: 10,761
Received 438 Likes on 368 Posts
Default

Lol, my old one had a few zipties too. I would just find an is300 in a junkyard then and adapt the electric fans to fit the SC.
It also has a coolant reservoir built in which frees up some space for a big intercooler as you usually have to move the stock one out of the way.

You can also use aftermarket fans but I would go for one that is self shrouded, like I use a Derale 17" #18217 fan in the vette.
Its very thick and large compared to most of the off the shelf fans (cause it has a real shroud), and with my lower thermostat it holds solid at 165 degrees.
To me it feels like it moves as much air as a regular clutch fan, which I can't say for the smaller electric fans. I tried like 3 different fan setups including dual fans but settled on this.
Old 05-17-19, 05:52 PM
  #11  
KahnBB6
Moderator
iTrader: (5)
 
KahnBB6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: FL & CA
Posts: 7,227
Received 1,242 Likes on 866 Posts
Default

^^ I've read over the years that the OEM IS300 dual electric fan with integrated shroud (and yes, also that built in coolant reservoir) is considered the most reliable of all electric fan options for the JZ engines. Mechanical still flows more CFM (with the stock shroud) but the IS300 fan system comes close.

I agree though that Derale makes very good products.
Old 05-18-19, 06:41 AM
  #12  
bilgen
Driver
iTrader: (3)
 
bilgen's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 104
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

I doubt your car will overheat without the shroud but your ac may fail.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jackiew
GX - 2nd Gen (2010-2023)
32
07-10-17 04:32 PM
doitlexi
GS - 3rd Gen (2006-2011)
1
05-06-15 03:15 AM
SC3Monster
Performance & Maintenance
6
06-07-13 05:23 AM
1JZPWRD
Performance & Maintenance
4
11-01-12 04:10 PM
BBriBro
Performance & Maintenance
1
01-07-09 07:15 PM



Quick Reply: Fan shroud absolutely necessary?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:51 PM.