Benefit Of Aluminium Radiator Upgrade

[deano27]

hi guys,

just wondering on the benefit of ugrading to an aftermarket aluminium radiator.

[Guilt-Toy]

no advantage. except they are cheaper then a new standard one

[zebra]

Mine used to get hot as buggery until i put a 50mm think aluminium jobbie in the car...now 30+min sessions on the track and temp never went above 83degC

[R31Nismoid]

hi guys,

just wondering on the benefit of ugrading to an aftermarket aluminium radiator.

Are you running hot?

If not - no benefit really until your standard one breaks or doesnt cool correctly as Guilt said - because they are a LOT cheaper than Nissan OEM

[MBS206]

no advantage. except they are cheaper then a new standard one

When I priced it, the alloy one was $50 more expensive from Just Jap then my KoyoRad

Edit: I'm talking a plastic replacement, from Koyo, not OEM nissan.

Also, I was advised against it by many people, as some alloys don't cool all that great.

Edited May 12, 2009 by MBS206

[PM-R33]

Mine used to get a bit hot during the day when giving it some stick, went a thicker alloy item and it doesn't get that hot anymore.

When i track it, i'll just add some redline water wetter into it just to be a bit safer.

[2LV8ETR]

The trick to better cooling is wider tubes. This increases the tube to fin contact area, which determines the radiator efficiency. A typical copper radiator uses approximately 10mm wide tubes while aluminium radiators use tubes approximately 25mm wide. The wider the tubes, the more surface area is available for fins which increase cooling capacity.

When a radiator is designed with wide tubes, the tubing wall thickness must be increased to prevent the tube from expanding or a term known as ballooning. Designing a brass/copper radiator with wide tubes is not practical because the radiators could weigh as much as 30kg. Lighter weight aluminium can be designed with a heavier wall thickness with very little effect on weight. In addition, aluminium has high heat dissipation properties.

Take for example a typical Skyline OEM radiator, granted the construction is of aluminium and plastic but the overall core size is pitiful in comparison to an aftermarket radiator. The more surface area, the more efficient the cooling.

If you're not having cooling issues, remain with the stock radiator. But if you have a need to replace it, by all means take the bigger aftermarket radiator.