Rads

[360gts]

Many options on rads now....so, opinions please as to which are the best at exchanging the heat.

Alloy or copper?

70mm 4 core....or 70mm 2 core?

[imack]

No complaints with my alloy one from Radtec. Now 8 years old.
But, a lot of people say copper conducts heat better, plus alloy will never look period if that's important to you.

[Spider]

Many options on rads now....so, opinions please as to which are the best at exchanging the heat.

Alloy or copper?

70mm 4 core....or 70mm 2 core?

Copper every time.

The heat conductivity of Copper over Aluminum is almost double and to make things worse, thick section aluminum is needed for fatigue strength. There's also the issues of electrolysis to battle too. Beyond the bling and cheap price of an Aluminum Radiator, they have nothing going for them.

Having tried many over the years, 2, 3 and 4 core, the best was the original Leyland 4 Core, as factory fitted to the (Australian) 1275 LS and all 1275 Mokes.

These have a staggered tube arrangement, which is largely why they work so well;-



Most radiators I've looked at in recent years have the tubes in align

[SPO41]

I love the Alloy radiators you buy on ebay, they work fantastically, are very well made and are much more cost effective than a Recored copper radiator.
I use them in all our customers cars and have never had any problems with them, ever.
Swiftune use and recommend Alloy over Copper as well, so if the best in the business recommend them, go for it.

[Catmint]

Nice little article comparing both

https://dolphinradiator.com/blogs/news/ ... ur-vehicle

[Allen Brzeczek]

Specialised in physics at school/college but not familiar with the comparative merits of copper v aluminium radiator construction but, when it comes to replacement radiators I replaced my original S radiator with a Mini Spares C/ARA 4442 (twin core) sometime after I fitted my 1380 motor and have never had a problem since.

[Nick W]

Just had a copper 4 core built in Sheffield...its a proper fat thing, but hopefully will fit my 970 ok

[360gts]

Great article on the comparism....albeit...inconclusive...6 of one and half a dozen of the other.
Comes down to personal choice...I suppose.
My engineering background makes me believe the more surface area the better.....therefore, 4 cores would be an advantage over 2. Also, copper rads have way more fins.....again....surface area.
I think I will stick with my MS 70mm 4 core rad for the race mini..

[roger mcnab]

hi this is something i will have to decide on for the rover v8 some time soon along with oil cooler and electric fans what size rad do i put in
cheers roger