radiators aluminum or not?

[skunk21]

I'm looking for some advice. I'm doing some motor work right now. Mild build over stock, ported stuff, stock cam, 70mm maf upgrade etc. I'm also doing a 3g alt and wiring upgrade for a future electric fan install. My stock rad is okay at the moment and I could get some more life out of it but I have all teh coolant out and the rad out right now so I was thinking about a change.

My ? was what are thoughts on aluminum vs the stock brass/copper. I know the aluminum is lighter but does it really flow and cool that much more better than a stocker for the price jump. local shop has lifetime stock rad for about $100.

Now I'm keeping an open mind and want to learn about this. I'm looking for a clean install. I did read up on the ford racing rad and the mods needed for that install but any opinions on this radiator from jegs for $289...

I have used thier brand stuff and liked the qaulity. I checked out becool the direct fit is $400 the be cool eleminator is a new budjet line that is custom fit for $300
http://www.jegs.com/i/Be+Cool+Radiators/134/10165/10002/-1

, I looked at griffin also but big bucks.

I have read on here and corral about leaky fluidynes right from the box, another brand which I haven't found alot of info on, and they sound kinda ricey is Mishimoto late model has them....

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/iwwida.pvx?;item?item_no=MIS-RADMUS79 1&comp=LRS.

The other ? is they use a 16psi cap vs the stock lower psi is the alot for the coloing system or what they require for thier rads just curious or does aluminum hold more than copper/brass rads.

So okay stangers, any opinions on aluminum vs stock and some brands like jegs, be cool etc. will be of great value.

 

[Fett]

I have a mildly built daily driver car that sees track time, and I have no problems with my stock radiator in South Florida summers.

Sometimes "better" isn't necessary.

 

[MaxTheHooker]

i won't tell you what to do because fett may be correct.. for your application, your stocker should be alright. HOWEVER

let this be said - in my big block mopar, we'd have her out for 10 minutes with the radiator and it'd be disastrous... we took it to our radiator guy, he SWORE by this HUGE 3 core copper radiator.. he swore that it would get the job done.. we get the car back, took it out, 10 minutes later i was back at my house washing the coolant off of the engine..

got a 2 core aluminum radiator, way smaller than the huge 3 core, put it on, completely solved the problem... it was incredible.

basically, if you're thinking of someday adding some horsepower to this thing.. like some serious stuff, then i'd nip it in the bud right now and get an aluminum one - it worked wonders on my big block.

 

[fastford91]

+1 for the aluminum!

 

[Demented4.6]

+2 aluminum!

 

[MaxTheHooker]

oh yeah, also, we put the aluminum on without returning the fan shroud to the set up - n00b mistake, i know.. either way, HUGE 3 core + fan shroud < small 2 core aluminum without. weigh the two out and see what you want.