I have a line on a aluminum radiator for my 91 EX for $250 shipped. Seeing as how the motor in the car will be mostly stock (no engine work... just add-ons and computer work... it will be a JDM DOHC ZC, tho) will I really need an aluminum radiator? The conventional ones go for about $90 shipped.

When/if you vote, please list pros and/or cons. Thankee-sai.

 

Yay for vote #1.

Just to point out, aluminum is a shitty condutor of heat compared to copper. One of the main reasons some radiators are made of aluminum is that they bend when hit with tire walls and other cars, instead of cracking. They can also be welded very easily if they do break.

The stock radiator is so overkill for these cars, I love it. Unless you plan on beating the **** out of your car (physically, and I don't mean the motor ) stick with the regular one.

 

To me it was simple when I had to replace my CRX's radiator..... That extra $160 helped by me an Exedy race clutch...... which is to say I think that moneys best spent somewhere other than a radiator (although a polished aluminum radiator does have more bling....)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by drdisco69 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yay for vote #1.

Just to point out, aluminum is a shitty condutor of heat compared to copper. One of the main reasons some radiators are made of aluminum is that they bend when hit with tire walls and other cars, instead of cracking. They can also be welded very easily if they do break.</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

#1

 

#1 2

 

I say go buy an aluminum half radiator ('eg') off of eBay brand new for like 50 bucks shipped. The coppers ones are a dollar or 2 less.

 

My my... conventional it is, I guess. I don't plan on doing much more than a swap and bolt ons, so I guess it would be just overkill... thanks for the input, all.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by drdisco69 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just to point out, aluminum is a shitty condutor of heat compared to copper.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Aluminum may not conduct heat as well as copper. But conventional radiators are not made of copper. They are made of brass. Brass, as you may know, is a copper-zinc alloy. And alloying degrades thermal conductivity. Painting the fins (as is the case on a brass radiator) degrades heat transfer further. So bare aluminum is MUCH better than painted brass. On the other hand, a conventional radiator is probably good enough.

 

I use a stock aluminum half radiator in my crx I bought off of ebay, ITs worked great even under boost, never had a problem. spend your money elsewhere, I agree with Aragorn. To me it was simple when I had to replace my CRX's radiator..... That extra $160 helped by me an Exedy race clutch...... which is to say I think that moneys best spent somewhere other than a radiator

 

Coefficient of heat transmission:

Aluminum .00203 BTU/Sec

Copper .00404 BTU/Sec

Brass yellow/red .00142/.00157 BTU/Sec

Heat transmitted in British thermal units, per second, through metal 1" thick, per square inch of surface, for a temperature difference of 1 degree F.

I like my cheap Auto Zone aluminum and plastic 90-93 Integra radiator.