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Is This Fan Worth It? Permacool 14 inch Performance Analysis

Fast Monty's Garage

17,729 views

Does the Permacool 14-inch fan actually pull 2950 CFM? We put this cooling fan test to the limit to see if the specs hold up.

Many aftermarket parts come with bold marketing claims, but real-world performance is what keeps your engine cool. I am putting the Permacool 14-inch fan, part number 19114, through a rigorous evaluation to verify the advertised CFM rating. By utilizing Home Garage equipment, we can determine exactly how much air this unit moves when pulling through a radiator.

We are analyzing the static pressure and airflow data at various inputs to give you the hard numbers you need for your build. Understanding these metrics is vital for anyone upgrading their automotive cooling system. Skip the marketing hype and see the raw data before you buy your next radiator cooling component.

Subscribe for weekly musclecar hardware breakdowns, and comment below if you want to see a noise level comparison next.

0:00 Testing the Permacool 14-inch cooling fan
1:07 The truth about CFM ratings
2:48 How to evaluate an electric fan for your build
8:17 The surprising results of the free flow test
11:52 The most disappointing fan test result yet

Over 60 Shroud designs are available on my website; https://www.fastmontysgarage.com all shrouds will accommodate the Spal and Proform brushless fans, some are also designed for Spal Brushless fans. Send us an email if you can't find your radiator.

Current Compatible Cold Case Part Numbers;

1968 through 1977 GM A-Body radiators; GMA42, GMA42B, GMA42A, GMA42AK, GMA42ASK, GMA42AB, GMA546A, GMA546AK, GMA546SK

1970-1981 Firebirds, or LS Swapped Firebirds/Camaro with Cold Case radiator part numbers; GPF18, GPF18A, GPF18B, and LS Swap CHC557A

1970 to 1981 Camaro's, now available for CHC545, CHC545A, CHC545AK

1967 to 1969 Big Block GM F-Bodys, Camaro, Firebird, and Nova's, now available! These will house 12" fans. Cold Case Part numbers CHC11, CHC11A, and LS Swap models CHC547, CHC547A.

If you have a different Cold Case Radiator part number, or would like a modification done to this design to fit your radiator, please send us an email with your radiator details.

Oil Pan Protection Plate Summary and Installation video;
1964 through 1972 GM A-Body Skid Plate - U...

#BuiltNotBought #MuscleCar #DIY

20 Comments

@FastMonty Creator 2 weeks ago Pinned

My New Link Tree has links to hats, shirts, Cold Case Radiator Shrouds for oversized fans, and the latest 1964 - 1972 GM A Body Oil Pan Protection Plates. https://linktr.ee/FastMontysGarage

@goaheadmakeourdayscooterpe9644 2 weeks ago

Thanks for the work you do exposing some of these scam companies, Permacool should be ashamed of itself. I would love to hear what BS they would say trying to excuse this. High price don't always equal high performance. These aftermarket companies have been sticking it to hot rodders forever with their lies of added HP etc.

@roydamen3028 2 weeks ago

Thanks for the videos you make, i love them!! This Permacool fan is a big disappointment for that price and results of the CFM. This is a good warning for people who want to buy this fan. Thanks Mike.

@ProductCode74 2 weeks ago (edited)

I got that exact same fan on my 82 Chevy, and it struggles in the summer heat in traffic now I know why.

@danjones815 11 days ago

When I saw that Permacool fan with its metal blades on Summit Racing it reminded me of the mechanical flex fan I had on my 510 horse Chevy Vega years ago it didn't cool at all with the Griffin Radiator . When I saw what it was rated at, I didn't believe it. I'm glad you tested it and verified my thoughts.

@chrisford8403 2 weeks ago

Monty's disappointed dad disposition over this fan is making me feel like I did something wrong! LOL ;)

@v1-vr-rotatev2-vy_vx31 2 weeks ago

Used these fans back in the day...

@rboynton8671 2 weeks ago

I'd like to hear what Permacool says about your results. Unbelievable!

@67Bird455 2 weeks ago

Great work

@moonburnt_garage 2 weeks ago

Great Video

@kenselleck2414 2 weeks ago

There is a flaw in your testing. That fan blade throws a significant amount of air to the outside diameter rather than straight out like most other fans. Although Permacool overrates their fans a bunch (why I won't sell one) the test cone for all the fans should be pear shaped so it can accurately measure all of the fans equally.
Good Stuff! I am subscribed!

@davegt27 2 weeks ago

your working through the same problems that my Ret Army buddy is working through, he has a 68 Firebird with a bored and stroked 400, he even has an anemometer (he has a two pass 4 core radiator), he had over heating problems back in the day when it was only a 400

@Fazz73jr 2 weeks ago

had 2 of these fans on my nova, would constantly overheat. put a mark 8 fan on there and never over heated again... feel validated now lol

@Tryagain205 2 weeks ago

Any fan like that is a very dangerous thing to have.
I know a guy who had his head cut almost completely off by one of those types of fans…it wasn’t electric but it has rivets…he was revving the engine while under the hood with his neck directly over the fan and one of the blades let go…. His head was held on by his spine.

@krusher74 2 weeks ago (edited)

In the UK you could now inform the trading standards council they are trading with false advertizing and they would be investigated.

@FullOutPwr 2 weeks ago

Should try one of Burndown Garage’s popular ZL1 or Silverado PWM fan setup.

@berserkerracing9974 2 weeks ago

My cousin Vinny!!!

@Gman-Garage 2 weeks ago

Thank you for the videos that you’ve done excellent stuff. I do have a question though regarding your 1100 45kpa spark map setting. After tuning your system, did you leave that particular setting at the default of 22 that Fitech has set or did you change that?

@darkhollowgarage 2 weeks ago

I have a 66 Tempest with the taller A/C radiator with no A/C on the car, new cold case radiator, new butler divider plates. New flow cool pump and have mechanical fan, non clutch, 389 with automatic, have been leary of electric fans but I need to go to your website because you selling the fan and being able to do a shroud has me extremely interested!

@dgjesdal 12 days ago

572 Hemi 720 HP, Daytona, stock radiator with a Flex fan. Removed clutch fan. Move air. 90 degree days, stoplight - never overheat. Hate aluminum radiators.