Are our radiators copper-brass or aluminum? I read somewhere that GM made aluminum radiators for its performance vehicles but that doesn't sound right.

 

Well all radiators are made of some aluminum. The cooling fins are always aluminum.

The tubing is another story. I've never seen brass tubing, but I guess some company has probably done it. Normally copper is the metal used for the tubing. Then the casing is normally steel. It's the best for strength and definetly the cheapest metal.

If you want to spend the money on an aftermarket radiator (ex. BeCool) then you will get a 100% aluminum radiator. Everything on theirs are aluminum. And they cost (IIRC) about $550-$600 for our cars. That would keep my car cool, but keep my wife HOT for spending that much on a radiator. But if you drop ~$10K for an engine, that's cheap insurance. (Not that she'd let me spend that much on a engine either )

AJ

 

Ok thanks man. I don't plan on a new radiator anytime soon unless my car all of a sudden decides it wants one

 

The stock GM is a combination aluminum/plastic unit. The OE unit made by the Harrison division of GM is actually a very high quality radiator. They will last in most cases an excess of ten years. Many people complain about the plastic tank, however if you remember to not add coolant or water when it is hot they are in fact reliable. I totally agree that there are very high priced units out there, but unless you race or expect extreme conditions to be placed on the cooling system there is little cost vs. benefit to a $600 unit.

 

The Vette's in the 60s had aluminum radiators. Not sure if they continued that into the 70's.