Aluminum vs. Copper radiator
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 3
From: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
Aluminum vs. Copper radiator
Besides the obvious weight savings, will a (typical) 2 row aluminum radiator offer noticeably better heat dissapation than a 4 row copper radiator?
Has anyone changed ONLY the radiator (no fan changes) and noticed a difference? Was is 2,3 or 4 row aluminum?
Has anyone changed ONLY the radiator (no fan changes) and noticed a difference? Was is 2,3 or 4 row aluminum?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Kaysville Utah
I noticed a large cooling difference when I changed out the stock radiator on my 81 with a 2 core aluminum. However, the stock radiator on an 81 is not a 4 row, it's only a two row. I definitely like the way the aluminum looks though. You can polish it if you're crazy enough.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
I really like my 2 row aluminum rad and even with my blown big block I have absolutely no cooling problems, even to the point of turning off all the electric fans and still maintain about 180-190 operating temperature.
The advantage of aluminum is that they can make the cooling tubes larger, alot larger up to 1 1/2 inches.
Mine is a 2 row 3 inch rad with 1 1/2 inch tubes.
The copper the tubes are about 1/2 inch to prevent blow out and by aligning 4 or these they get the 4 core rad but there is a problem is alignment and thus air flow restriction with missalignment.
I would definietly go with aluminum.
The advantage of aluminum is that they can make the cooling tubes larger, alot larger up to 1 1/2 inches.
Mine is a 2 row 3 inch rad with 1 1/2 inch tubes.
The copper the tubes are about 1/2 inch to prevent blow out and by aligning 4 or these they get the 4 core rad but there is a problem is alignment and thus air flow restriction with missalignment.
I would definietly go with aluminum.
