Alum vs Copper-brass radiators

[cudabob496]

From Be-Cool site:

Copper is a more efficient heat dissipater than aluminum but the other components in a copper/brass/lead radiator minimize its overall effectiveness and actually make an aluminum radiator more efficient. As much as 25% more efficient.

[Bullitt-]

Guess I'd be saying that to if I was in the aluminum radiator business..

This article agrees but disagrees, construction/ design plays a role
http://www.hotrodhotline.com/md/html/aluminum_vs_copper.php


ck all these options on a copper from US -Radiator

Core Description    AVAILABLE CORES
Standard Automotive: Similar to the OEM style radiator of the 60s with tubes on 9/16" centers. [More Info]
High Efficiency: 20% more heat transfer points over "Standard Automotive" core with tubes on 3/8" centers. [More Info]
High Efficiency w/ Tripelfow Option: 20% more heat transfer points over "Standard Automotive" core with tubes on 3/8" centers. Walls in tanks that route coolant through core 3 times before exiting (Up to 15 degrees additional temp drop over High Efficiency core). [More Info]
Optima w/ Tripelfow Option: 40% more heat transfer points over "Standard Automotive" core with tubes on 5/16" centers. Walls in tanks that route coolant through core 3 times before exiting. [More Info]

[cudabob496]

an issue that will be debated for the ages!!

[tommyg29]

I recently did a lot of research online. I have NO experience as a radiator producer or servicer, but from about 8 hours a few weekends ago reading those sites and many others, it seemed to me the consensus was that aluminum holds up pretty well for heat dissipation (with fewer but larger rows) for that exact reason- the alloys they have to use in all the solders and welds for copper.

[Strawdawg]

copper/brass cores use small oval tubes...the oval shape comes from the need to give the tubes strength.

The aluminum tubes in a cross flow radiator are rectangular in shape and usually 1.0"-1.25" in the air flow direction.  This allows the air flow to contact more of the tube all the way across whereas the oval tubes really only exposes the high point of the oval to the air stream which is a very small area.

The larger interior cross section of the aluminum tube allows for much more turbulence in the water flow which exposes more of the passing water to contact with the tube which allows for more heat transfer.

An aluminum radiator with vertical tubes does not buy one much if the tubes are smaller which makes the thermal characteristics of the copper/brass more apparent.

[Topcat]

The earlier Modine aftermarket Brass/Copper radiators were the best.
larger cooling capacity, excellent cooling, long lasting, re buildable. 

[cudabob496]

A simple test would solve this. Take an alum and copper-brass radiator, similar size,
put a fan in front of each, run same temp water into inlet, and measure temp of water
from the outlet of each radiator. I suspect the alum will cool bettter. Thats what happened
on my 440 Cuda. Was overheating with a 26 inch Mopar three core. The stopped overheating
with a similar size two core alum radiator.

[Mopar Mitch]

Choosing bewteen which type of radiator is of my interest... I only have a 22" core support opening .... and I'm running an OE type stock 22" copper radiator, fan shroud, large-blase aluminum flexfan,, and a 160 thermostat... a-ok for normal driving, but, when running long road course lapps on a road course, with mid-upper long stands of rpms (3500-6000... avg ~4500-5500), an if its hot outside ~80-90 then my temp gauge runs up high... so, I turn on the heater full blast and that helps lowr the temp a little.   SO.. a new radiator is in my near future... I want low weight... maximum cooling, and prefer OE apperance (would paint it black).. and also prefer the usage of the OE plastic fan shroud, but that's optional.   I may also switch to a factory large clutch fan ... the one I'm looking for is what E-Berg wrote about sometime in the past... aluminum blades?  large diameter... from a Chrysler Imperial???

[tommyg29]

check out these guys. Black aluminum oem look, well close anyway, but not sure they have 22" too. They do sell a "conversion" bracket though.
Oem shroud will mount dircetly.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291410651949?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

IIRC these are made in the USA, and not china, but you might want to confirm that

[Chryco Psycho]

To me Alum is less durable & will crack with flexing faster , this is why most new cars mount / float the rads in Rubber bushings