Page 1 of 1

Radiator Aluminium or copper?

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 3:39 pm
by dawg runner
Gday,

I am putting a VS V6 ecotech into my runner.

I am told that a copper diesel 3 core radiator will suffice but to get one near new or reconditioned costs around $400 - $500.

Spoke to desert coolers and they do a 4 core copper radiator (12.5 mm cores) for $480 and a 2 core (26 mm cores) aluminium radiator for $750.

I want to lean towards the copper radiator as from what i have been told, from assorted radiator places they are probably a little more durable and able to be serviced and repaired if needs be and the aluminium ones cant but i will be the first to admit i am wrong.

My understanding of the aluminium ones is that they are mostly for high performance high horsepower applications but again i will be the first to admit i am wrong.

Any advice appreciated as i just want to get the Dawg Runner back on the rocks ASAP.

Thanks

Dave

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 4:32 pm
by Guy
My vote was for the ali one as it sounds to me like it would be far easier to get mud and crud out of that invaribly ends up in 4b rads.

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 4:38 pm
by Sic Lux
My vote's for copper as i think it'lll handle the vibration better and my copper one has actualy pulled the side mounting plates off it and just took it down to red devil and had them re solder it and all is good this was over a year ago now and still all good I'd say with ally one it'd be case where they may be able to fix it or it maybe a throw away job

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 5:10 pm
by Guy
Sic Lux wrote:My vote's for copper as i think it'lll handle the vibration better and my copper one has actualy pulled the side mounting plates off it and just took it down to red devil and had them re solder it and all is good this was over a year ago now and still all good I'd say with ally one it'd be case where they may be able to fix it or it maybe a throw away job
Thats more of a mounting issue.

Mounted in the little rubber feet things would negate that, as well as make pulling the rad iin and out alot easier.

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 8:51 pm
by chunderlicious
aluminium. spend the bucks and get a dessert cooler or similar... even better just go to the local radiator shop and talk to the guy about it, he may be able to make a custom awsome job that will make it hard for the car to warm up.

Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 12:47 pm
by simcoz
chunderlicious wrote:aluminium. spend the bucks and get a dessert cooler or similar... even better just go to the local radiator shop and talk to the guy about it, he may be able to make a custom awsome job that will make it hard for the car to warm up.


Thats why you run a thermostat

The hilux diesel radiators cool a v6 very well but can be a tight fit in early runners an luxs but fit easy in later models as the have a bigger engine bay.Could be wrong though.