Radiator debate, All Aluminum VS Copper Brass.

[mackdaddy240]

I recently swapped a SR20 into my S13, I'm running the KA radiator right now. I know that this summer in the 100 degree weather and AC blowing the ka radiator probably wont be able to keep up, plus the hoses are rediculous. So I came across the Article that tested different radiators and fans. The test showed that the $150 brass and copper radiator actually cooled better then the $300 all aluminum radiator. So I planned on getting a copper one. However after emailing phase2 about their copper radiator they said the koyo aluminum cools much better....? You think they say that because they make more money off the aluminum one, or that the copper radiator really isnt as good? This is what they said in they're email.Any input from personal experience would be VERY helpful.

(Phase2Motortrend)The Koyo radiator we carry on website is the brass/copper one but it's more like stock replacement radiator and the cooling is NOT better than Koyo Aluminum radiator. The aluminum radiator provides much better cooling being that it's full aluminum core (better heat transfer) and the capacity is 3 times more than the copper/stock radiator.

[teddy]

Take a look at this page. http://home.satx.rr.com/nissan...t.htm

This is the jackpot for cooling tests. But also keep in mind that the Koyo they used there isn't the current one now. They improved their design.

[mackdaddy240]

Yes that is the test I was refering too, but When I contacted phase2motortrent they said that the aluminum ran much cooler, I was wondering if the phase2motortrent copper and brass radiator was the same one used in the tests?

[spider_slayer]

copper is a better conductor then alum. thus naturally it will dispurse heat better. however, its in the design of the radiator and how it is built. most copper radiators are welded together and the welds act somewhat as insulators. alum. radiators don't suffer from this problem when welded. not to mention the alum one will be much lighter and hold more water.

[NoStickers]

Aluminum is almost as good a conductor as copper but weighs a third as much and also reflects nearly 9/10ths of the heat that reaches it.

[Onizuka]

I remember from a previous thread about this that having the radiator and block the same material is beneficial as well.

But, if your main concern is cost, then get the copper radiator by all means.

[teddy]

well since that test, Koyo has reduced the number of fins it was using, because it was actually decreasing the cooling capacity. You can expect that the Koyo aluminums now will work better than those tested in the article. I apologize also, I didnt read your whole first post...only the first two lines and the phase2 paragraph.

[2_Liter_Turbo]

I am wondering how cool the SR's run from those people in the "Hot Areas"? Who runs an SR with either Radiator and experiences 110+ degrees for months at a time? That as well as their fan/thermostat setup. I have Altima Fans ready for when I do my swap. I will at first have to run the KA radiator, but will want to run an SR one sooner or later. So I need to know

[DawgMode]

well i live in tha bahamas and i run 14 pounds all day on stock rad...boostin fine with no problems

[NoStickers]

The only problems I've ever had with my radiators was that the stock one eventually cracked on top and I overheated with the Koyo b/c a lot of my coolant leaked out of a hose.

[Dori Dori]

Copper vs. Aluminum, all variables equal, the copper should cool better. Copper is heavy though hence the popularity of aluminum radiators.

[deCksy]

Copper vs. Aluminum, all variables equal, the copper should cool better. Copper is heavy though hence the popularity of aluminum radiators.

FTW!

[spider_slayer]

FTW!

whats that mean?

[ILikeMy240sx]

If you mix copper and alum in the same cooling loop, its more prone to corrosion... Keeping it all aluminum should be the best against any rust forming in the loop.

However, with the coolant having rust inhibitant I doubt that would be a problem given that the coolant is changed regularly.

But yes, copper conducts heat better than alum

[ILikeMy240sx]

Oh BTW, Koyo alum rad with a 14" electric fan runs super cold.... That's what I have now and the bottom tank is ice cold usually.

[deCksy]

whats that mean?

ftw = for the win ..... its a game slang i guess you can say. people use it in warcraft all the time.. lol

[Silvia007]

ftw = for the win ..... its a game slang i guess you can say. people use it in warcraft all the time.. lol

I thought it was F*ck the world... lol, didn't make much sense to me.

[Dori Dori]

^That's what it meant for a long time. I guess "gamers" have adopted it to mean something different haha.

[Morph]

ftw = for the win ..... its a game slang i guess you can say. people use it in warcraft all the time.. lol

Omg are we adapting sayings from a MMORPG. Isnt this one of the signs of the Apocalypse.