whats the best radiator?

[voodoorick]

Gday all
just wondering what the best type of radiator is to go for my GQ, as I've been checking out Ebay & have noticed a few different types. full alloy or full copper/brass or aluminum which is the better option & 48mm or 55mm ( i presume the thicker option would be the best?). & while I'm at it would a thermo fan be a good option?

cheers

[97_gq_lwb]

Personally i prefer copper brass 3 core.

[voodoorick]

thanks, thats the way i was thinking of going. just thought i would ask around though.
cheers

[Robo]

Copper brass should be the best at doing the intended job.
Brass for main body rust resistant.
Copper fins to absorb heat away from brass and disperse the heat away.
Alloy fins don't corrode away like copper
Probably really only used in mass today for weight saving and lower production cost.
And to be fair, externally lasts better than traditional brass copper.
But you would find copper wins at dispersing heat better than alloy.

It is constantly being "sand blasted" buy particals all the time , paint wears exposing the sensitive copper elements.
If you want to make brass/copper 1 last, then say annually .
All you need to do is remove, flush inside and out annually, let dry and lightly respray to renew protective coating.
This will if done correctly extend the life of rad substantially.
not to mention you should be flushing the entire cooling system while your at it.
Rad coolant is an enviro hazard so dispose of old stuff responsibly.
renew with mixture of recommended product and de-mineralised water only.
D-water is far better cooling and anti corrosive than straight tap water.
D-water has a higher boiling point, than straight tap water.
You could replace thermostat say bi-annually, but that's my idea of good practice while your at it.

If you decided on alloy then 1 with the proper air flow and cooling capacity is needed.

A mate of mine purchased an alloy e-bay job about 2 yrs back.
thinking thicker was going to be better, not always true.
Airflow has to be maintained if going thicker.
Product design and quality is what matters.
It leaked, and suffered insufficient air flow to cool water.
lucky for him he was able to return it as faulty item for refund.
Cheers

[Ben-e-boy]

I run a pwr 55mm radiator it does the job brilliantly

[White Elephant]

Personally i prefer copper brass 3 core.

+1 Copper/brass is definately the way to go, a 2 or 3 row should be fine. If you want it to last and be serviceable for longer, definately steer clear of the alloy ones. My 2c.

Edit- In saying that it depends on how much you have to spend as well...I have heard that some of the high end aluminium ones are quite good, but also quite expensive.

[my third 256]

with an aluminium radiator you need to watch out for electrical leakage as it will set up electrolisisand the unit wont last very long

[Airstrike]

where can u get a plain plastic replacement

[iht2670]

Copper/Brass & have a radiator shop make it Triple Flow (that is baffles in tanks to cause flow to go across & back & across again ) much more efficient.

Steve.

[MQ MAD]

Flicken that darn plastic header tanked radiator will be a leap forward
The rad in my GQ was the original one since new,1997 , and i had it rodded , then cracked a non replacable plastic tank
I replaced it with an off the shelf natrad replacement
It doesnt go off road, it pulls many loaded trailers, doesnt run a trans cooler and to date doesnt have any heating issues
Think the rad was about the $500 mark