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[T3] Fan vs. fin noise... (tech geeks read on :-)


<x-charset iso-8859-1>Hello-

I've stumbled a VERY interesting idea, and wanted your guys' ears on it...

We all know that a Porsche 911 cooling system sounds different than a VW
one, and previously people pointed to the fan.  But, awhile ago I discovered
this is untrue, as my pancake T4-cooled *aluminum cylindered* engine whines
more like a 911 than any other VW I've ever heard.  Many others who've
driven with me agree.  In fact, is the resonating of the noisy aluminum fins
vs. the dampening cast iron fins that makes the difference!  If you put one
of each cylinder next to each other and run your fingernail on the fins of
each, you'll see what I mean.

Then, a couple weeks ago, I stumbled across part two of the observation.
With my engine running, I happened to put my ear up to the vents on the rear
fenders, and heard what sounded like an airplane propeller.  It had a sort
of beating sound to it.  I disconnected the intake system from the body
bellows to isolate the sound, and it's definately the fan!  I can only
assume that the rhythm of the beating is related to the pattern of the four
posts and the forty fins on on the T4 fan.  Most late bus owners would never
notice this sound since it is not isolated from the rest of the engine bay
noise in the T3-like fashion, and isn't that loud - the sound of the
resonating fins would easily drown it out.

Since this time, I haven't gotten the chance to be near a T3-powered T3
(they are a scarcity in our shop :-).  With the air filter inlet
disconnected from the body, what does the fan sound like?

Take care,
Shad Laws
LN Engineering - Aircooled Precision Performance
http://www.LNengineering.com


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