Hi everyone,
I have been a long time lurker on the forum and I have found the post very useful and helpful in upgrading and maintaining my 97 sportage.

I am looking to do an electric fan upgrade and I was hoping that someone may be able to confirm that the following kit has everything I should need - http://www.amazon.com/PROCOMP-SINGLE-ELECTRIC-THERMOSTAT-RELAY/dp/B004MNH7DY#productDetails (besides the shorter belt for the AC).

Also been looking to add a snorkel to the sportage and the snorkels are rare + expensive. Just wondering if anyone has tried fitting a snorkel for an Nissan Navara d22 on the sportage? Or had any luck with other prefabbed snorkels?
Thanks everyone
Synthium

Hi Synthium and welcome to the forum <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Noticed you are a fellow Darwinite as well. You may have seen my Sporty getting around. It's the one with lift <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> and green springs.

Keep an eye out for other Sporty's getting around, what do you drive?

Suppose I am the best person to answer regarding snorkels as I have one fitted to mine.

To the best of my knowledge you have two options, purchase a pre made one or have one custom made.

To purchase you can source through Out Door Auto in Australia or perhaps source from Taiwan yourself if you can find the company that makes them. Postage is expensive due to the length of the snorkel package.

My snorkel was one of the first ones through VTTR and the finish up close could be better. The ones that ODA source now (the ones with a picture of the elephants head look like they are finished off a lot better.

It's all reletive, the snorkels are around the same price as a safari snorkel.

The wading depth of a Sporty is fantastic standard at (700ml). Fitted mine due to sand getting in the air box after a couple of trips down Stockton Beach in NSW.

Say GDay if you see me getting me around Darwin. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

cheers, Chris <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Hi Chris,
thanks for your response. I actually have seen yours around! Mine is a 1997 burgandy colour one with a 40mm spring lift and alloy roof racks and a nudge bar - I will post a pic soon!
Thanks for the info on the snorkel - I will see if I can get one from Taiwan at this stage. I have heard that the sporty has pretty good wading depth due to the high air intake, but I was also hoping for a slight performance increase from the ram intake when cruising. Also would just like to keep the water as far from the intake as possible - once I have set up the sportage how I want I would like to attempt to go to twin falls.
Will say hi if I catch you around!
Thanks
JP

Welcome to the forum! I think that kit will do the job. I just installed an electric fan. It works great. And I used parts nearly identical to what you're looking at. I did some research on the SPAL-type controllers. And the consensus seemed to be to go with a simple snap switch to trigger the relay. It's more reliable. And I can attest the setup can do the job in 100+ degrees Fahrenheit. A few bits of advice on the install...

- Mount the snap switch right below the hose mount coming from the thermostat and trim off the excess length of brass rod before mounting the thermocouple.
- Fab up some metal mounting brackets to mount the fan. Do not use plastic ties to strap the fan to the radiator core. The weight of the fan will tear out the fins in the core and can possibly create a leak in the radiator.

Here's a link to my thread with pics of the radiator fan mount I used. It's holding up perfectly so far...

Peabody's overhaul...

As for a snorkel, I've seen people fab them out of black ABS drain pipe. I wouldn't pass it off as classy. But it's affordable. And it works!

Hope that helps...

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for your response Peabody. I will probably do the electric fan install in a month (have people visiting shortly and need the car running so would rather leave it in working condition till they leave in case of mishap). Thanks for the link to your overhaul - very useful!
I am considering having my dad make a snorkel out of steel (he is a blacksmith) as he may have some around.
The sportage is like a disease. Everyday I want to do more to it.
JP