21 replies to this topic

[country clubman]

Does anyone know what core sizes they had, as looking into these they can range from 40mm to a massive 70mm, that would be serious cooling and serious mods needed. Maybe people who didn't notice any difference of alloy and uprated 2core, were running 40mm core size?

[tiger99]

The thermal conductivity of alloy is much less than copper of equal thickness. That is hard fact, and can't be changed by any amount of hype. Therefore an ali radiator of the same dimensions and construction as copper is going to be woefully inadequate.

What can change is the thickness. Thinner wall tube means less thermal resistance between coolant and air. Much lower density of ali means that geometry can maybe improved without it becoming too heavy.

But in general they are non repairable, unlike copper. They also have a very finite fatigue life. If they are adhesive bonded, how long before the bonding starts to peel?

Ali may be cheaper than copper....

So in a given situation there may or may not be some advantage. Personally I would not waste my money. I like things that will be durable over high mileage. A low mileage car, where you are willing to take a risk on an item of unknown provenance and probably no quality control at all, may be another thing altogether.

[psychobob]

My cheap chinese ebay one has been on now for 4+ years, and done about 20000 miles. Its still woking fine, and with a bit of autosol, it's still really shiny! (the Important bit, obviously).

[the.stroker]

The thermal conductivity of alloy is much less than copper of equal thickness. That is hard fact, and can't be changed by any amount of hype. Therefore an ali radiator of the same dimensions and construction as copper is going to be woefully inadequate.

What can change is the thickness. Thinner wall tube means less thermal resistance between coolant and air. Much lower density of ali means that geometry can maybe improved without it becoming too heavy.

But in general they are non repairable, unlike copper. They also have a very finite fatigue life. If they are adhesive bonded, how long before the bonding starts to peel?

Ali may be cheaper than copper....

So in a given situation there may or may not be some advantage. Personally I would not waste my money. I like things that will be durable over high mileage. A low mileage car, where you are willing to take a risk on an item of unknown provenance and probably no quality control at all, may be another thing altogether.

 

In your oppinion..........

[Midas Mk1]

Yet to see any evidence of a mini from tiger... Always gives us a laugh anyway..

[country clubman]

The thermal conductivity of alloy is much less than copper of equal thickness. That is hard fact, and can't be changed by any amount of hype. Therefore an ali radiator of the same dimensions and construction as copper is going to be woefully inadequate.

What can change is the thickness. Thinner wall tube means less thermal resistance between coolant and air. Much lower density of ali means that geometry can maybe improved without it becoming too heavy.

But in general they are non repairable, unlike copper. They also have a very finite fatigue life. If they are adhesive bonded, how long before the bonding starts to peel?

Ali may be cheaper than copper....

So in a given situation there may or may not be some advantage. Personally I would not waste my money. I like things that will be durable over high mileage. A low mileage car, where you are willing to take a risk on an item of unknown provenance and probably no quality control at all, may be another thing altogether.

 

A quick google shows that this is a bit of a debate as to which is better, but if you don't try you don't know what your missing and if you get one from a good dealer then a year warranty at the least, maybe it's like the theory of the bumble bee can't fly but it does(or is that an urban mith!).

[Steve220]

Worth a read - http://www.cgj.com/2...e-great-debate/

 

I personally always use an alloy radiator where I can. Despite copper/brass having a better conductivity, in application an alloy radiator will far outweigh in benefits and will actually cool just as well in real terms. This is mainly due to the construction as you can build alloy radiators with better cores allowing for less restrictive flow to get the heat away.