The guys on the A4 forum say that the fan clutch saps up about 10hp and if you replace it with this electric on ($225) you will remove a lot of drag from the engine.

They state that the car is faster with the electric fan....do you believe it????

Good news is that it seems this would benefit V6 and 1.8t owners.<ul><li><a href="http://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/697007.phtml">http://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/697007.phtml</a></li></ul>

In all mechanical systems, any moving part creates friction. Considering that I have heard AC systems robbing up to 40hp, this seems feasible. However, assuming a belt driven fan, removing the fan would help some, but rerouting the belt would be better.

I was following that thread too and it seems like an aweful easy way to gain 10hp, or even 5hp. My question is, what kind of harm are/may you be doing by just removing the fan belt entirely?

couldn't you just replace the fan with any electric fan and have it kick on via a thermostatic activated switch? VW has been doing it that way for decades. I got 2 12in electrical fans from pep-boys, spliced the leads into the stock fan leads and they power up when the the water temp reaches 180F. Total cost....$110.00

The only thing I would be worried about is the fact that you now are reliant on a electric system so if the fan or thermostat goes your toast. I would also be worried about the warranty issues.

my old dodge used an electric fan.. fan didn't go bad in 12 years, 6 of them in FL with it getting A LOT of use.. thermostat did need to be replaced recently, probably once before that I'd imagine, but it still engaged the fan, it just waited till the car was much warmer then it should have been to engage it

I would doubt 10 hp. and it pretty much free wheels unless the car is hot.But it does rob some.
I wonder if the guys on the forum figured out how much HP you lose by putting more strain on the Alternator with an electric fan?
Anyway I have a new fan in a box....Just needs a good home.

Its like fishing with hang grenades!!!!!
I knew you would.
It may cost you lunch again though! :)

Does anyone elses A4 feel stronger with the AC on? Just curious. My old car felt like a dead horse just by turning it on. This car, I swear, feels stronger?! Go figure.

Tom