California Mods Questions... E-Fans and Tune?

[Xing_Gateway]

Hello!

Searched and couldn't find anything so here I go. I have a 2004 Yukon Denali and HATE the semi truck sounding stock fans so really want to switch to electric. But I'd either need to use a thermal switch thing or use a tune to turn them on. I'd also like to try the BBP tune to control the fans and liven things up a bit in general.

Are these mods ok in California? Anyone done these here?

I was thinking I could do the EFILive route where I could go back to stock tune when getting the smog check if I had to.

Truck currently has 126,000 miles and I've only done the Airaid MIT intake tube. Thinking of maybe just a muffler for a bit more rumble and freshening up the suspension.

Thanks!

 

[Marky Dissod]

... have a 2004 Yukon Denali and HATE the semi truck sounding stock fans,
so really want to switch to electric, but I'd either need to use a thermal switch thing or use a tune to turn them on.

Use a tune, like everyone else has been doing for the past 20+ years.

...
I'd also like to try the BBP tune to control the fans and liven things up a bit in general.

PCM Performance dot com charges $100 LESS to tune vehicles with GM Gen3 V8s; they've been tuning since 2005.

... Are these mods ok in California? Anyone done these here?
I was thinking I could do the EFILive route where I could go back to stock tune when getting the smog check if I had to.

CA has no way of detecting a 'tuned' P59, except when the tune is so obvious as to be detectable by just driving it.
Put another way: CA cannot detect a 'tuned' P59 simply by plugging into the pcm.
(If I am wrong, someone please correct me with P59-specific info.)

... Truck currently has 126,000 miles and I've only done the Airaid MIT intake tube. Thinking of maybe just a muffler for a bit more rumble and freshening up the suspension.

Besides a tune, no better bang for your buck than 4.10 axle gear(s).
Costs more than many cheaper mods, BUT
4L60E will last longer, city (and towing!) MpG will improve, and vehicle will be more fun to drive.

 

[Xing_Gateway]

Thanks for the reply. I'll check out PCM Performance. I hadn't considered the gears since it's my daily driver but my commute is only about 80 miles a week so not too concerned if gas mileage goes down. It kinda sucks anyway

Anyone else want to chime in? I haven't had to smog the truck yet but I probably will this October. I'll wait until after the test to do the mods.

Thanks.

 

[Fless]

The OE fan (not two) uses a clutch to engage the fan. We've heard about aftermarket clutches and fans being very noisy; I can tell you that the OE fan on my '04 Tahoe (5.3) is not noisy at all. Maybe yours was changed from OE.

Converting to electric fans won't affect the smog system.

@ScottyBoy sells the harnesses for the fan conversion; check out his thread here:

02 Tahoe Electric Fan Conversion

Ok, so I know this subject has been talked to death, so I'll try to keep it short. Bought some factory fans from a ??? Silvi a few years back. Based on the number of blades, earlier than an '09. How do you test the fans for full operation before installing? I've hooked them straight up to a...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[Tonyrodz]

Converting to electric fans won't affect the smog system.

@ScottyBoy sells the harnesses for the fan conversion; check out his thread here:

02 Tahoe Electric Fan Conversion

Ok, so I know this subject has been talked to death, so I'll try to keep it short. Bought some factory fans from a ??? Silvi a few years back. Based on the number of blades, earlier than an '09. How do you test the fans for full operation before installing? I've hooked them straight up to a...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

^^^^^
This.
@ScottyBoy uses oem harnesses from the junkyard. He cleans them up, makes any minor repairs that might be needed, wraps them really nicely and marks all the wires with the locations they go to. A few guys here have bought aftermarket harnesses for their conversions and they just haven't held up. They'll usually/eventually melt from all the draw they require. Save yourself a huge headache and buy an oem harness from @ScottyBoy. I bought one from him several years ago for my 03--which has a cammed 6.0--and I've had 0 issues with it.

 

[ScottyBoy]

Yeah, I have sold quite a few refurbished OEM fan harnesses on here, and a few other forums too. I tried selling them on Ebay, but they pretty much **** you with the exorbitant transaction fees that they charge. I mostly just sell by word of mouth now. I can't think of ONE single person who has anything negative to say about me or the harnesses that I sell. I take the time to put out quality. I have have quite a few comments that my harnesses literally look BRAND new by the time I'm done with them.

 

[Fless]

Yeah, I have sold quite a few refurbished OEM fan harnesses on here, and a few other forums too. I tried selling them on Ebay, but they pretty much **** you with the exorbitant transaction fees that they charge. I mostly just sell by word of mouth now. I can't think of ONE single person who has anything negative to say about me or the harnesses that I sell. I take the time to put out quality. I have have quite a few comments that my harnesses literally look BRAND new by the time I'm done with them.

And this is why I recommend your work. Quality, reliable product and no shortcuts.

 

[Tonyrodz]

And this is why I recommend your work. Quality, reliable product and no shortcuts.

Same.
Excellent product.

 

[justirv]

Hello!

Searched and couldn't find anything so here I go. I have a 2004 Yukon Denali and HATE the semi truck sounding stock fans so really want to switch to electric. But I'd either need to use a thermal switch thing or use a tune to turn them on. I'd also like to try the BBP tune to control the fans and liven things up a bit in general.

Are these mods ok in California? Anyone done these here?

I was thinking I could do the EFILive route where I could go back to stock tune when getting the smog check if I had to.

Truck currently has 126,000 miles and I've only done the Airaid MIT intake tube. Thinking of maybe just a muffler for a bit more rumble and freshening up the suspension.

Thanks!

You can tune in fans in CA. I was worried about checksums and all that, I was assured that adding e-fans wouldn't be a problem. For everything else I may sure it has a CARB EO sticker.

 

[Xing_Gateway]

You can tune in fans in CA. I was worried about checksums and all that, I was assured that adding e-fans wouldn't be a problem. For everything else I may sure it has a CARB EO sticker.

Awesome.

Is there a local place you can recommend for tuning or did you go with BlackBear? I'm near Long Beach.

Thanks for the info.

 

[adventurenali92]

While my 2006 XL Denali came from the factory with efans, my truck is blackbear performance tuned here in Southern California mountain town and it’s never given me problems passing smog. Depends on where you are, some shops like to do the inspections to be nit picky but externally there’s nothing for them to see. Pretty much as long the truck is running good and no CEL illuminated it should pass. Owned mine 10 years with I believe the last 8 years being BBP tuned. Nothing crazy under my hood yet though. But that’s TBD…. lol

 

[Xing_Gateway]

This is great info. I think I'm due for a smog test later this year when my registration renews, I'll wait until after that but then I'll go for it.

Thanks!

 

[justirv]

Awesome.

Is there a local place you can recommend for tuning or did you go with BlackBear? I'm near Long Beach.

Thanks for the info.

I purchased HP Tuners MPVI-3 and 2 credits a while back. I went with the 2011+ 7 blade/9 blade fan config, as I already had the 34" radiator ('02 Z71). I went with a Nelson Performance fan harness (1-wire) before hearing of @Scottydoggs solution (who's well spoken of). Black Bear or PCM Performance can take care of your programming.

 

[Scottydoggs]

Hello!

Searched and couldn't find anything so here I go. I have a 2004 Yukon Denali and HATE the semi truck sounding stock fans so really want to switch to electric. But I'd either need to use a thermal switch thing or use a tune to turn them on. I'd also like to try the BBP tune to control the fans and liven things up a bit in general.

Are these mods ok in California? Anyone done these here?

I was thinking I could do the EFILive route where I could go back to stock tune when getting the smog check if I had to.

Truck currently has 126,000 miles and I've only done the Airaid MIT intake tube. Thinking of maybe just a muffler for a bit more rumble and freshening up the suspension.

Thanks!

a tune in general is allowed in CA, but no codes can be deleted, them commies can now see if they are deleted or not. adding e fans wont set off any warnings. so either buy a tuner, efi, hpt to just do the fans, (thats a easy thing to do) then learn how tuning works on your own and tune her up some, being stock you'd feel most of anything from a trans tune. or get a tune from a vender or local shop.

 

[Xing_Gateway]

Have a Scotty harness on the way so I'll start looking for the fans now, thanks!

 

[RET423]

California smog test for your vehicle is a visual inspection to see if everything is there, a check via the OBD port to verify the readiness monitors are set & verification that the check engine light is both functional & not illuminated

If you meet that criteria you pass, if not you fail; your engine fan & tune are irrelevant unless they cause a fault that turns on the check engine light or prevents a readiness monitor from completing successfully

 

[Xing_Gateway]

California smog test for your vehicle is a visual inspection to see if everything is there, a check via the OBD port to verify the readiness monitors are set & verification that the check engine light is both functional & not illuminated

If you meet that criteria you pass, if not you fail; your engine fan & tune are irrelevant unless they cause a fault that turns on the check engine light or prevents a readiness monitor from completing successfully

Beautiful, thanks!