Which is better a 1 row alumium or 3 row copper brass radiator? Thanks!

 

2 row aluminum, better cooling than the factory 1 row and the 3 core brass, and also ALOT lighter than the 3 row!!

You can pick up the 2 row 1" tubes pretty cheap.

 

Any suggestions about brands or places to buy one? Thanks for the response to my question.

 

I'm running a Howie, or you could use an AFCO which is the same radiator, just the generic brand for $10 less.
I've done quite a bit of business with Performance Bodies since they are local, but they ship race car parts all around the country, they have great prices on just about everything so it'd be worth checking out.

 

I appreciated your help,IHI. Thanks!!!

 

I thought stock radiators were three row aluminum radiators!?!
I replaced the stock one with a direct replacement and it was a three row, so I guess there might be some other ones.
I thought you might wanted to know

 

My 84 Z had the 3 row brass copper radiator and ever since I bought it in 94 its had cooling issues. I put in a 350 and same thing. I had my electric fan go out and threw a clutch fan on and it cooled so-so. Well the clutch fan had some play and when I jumped on it it grabbed the plastic shroud and a piece punctured my radiator.

I bought an aluminum AC Delco radiator and it is a huge improvement over the brass copper. I always had a 160 stat in the 350, but now the temp gauge actually showed around 160. Thats with another used single electric fan. In traffic it will climb close to 190 but mostly stays around 160 and still throws awesome heat in the winter.

 

I bought an aluminum one which has one wide row and so far its cooling better than the 3 row brass version that came with my firebird. This is the 2nd radiator I bought in four years of owning this car.

 

I just pulled my radiator out tonight! It has a crack in the side plastic. I was going to patch it with JB Weld when I noticed that it has 3 other seams in it and is probably just going to bust somewhere else soon. This is my daily driver, so I need a new radiator asap! I found a place that sells factory units for $116 after tax. However, since I have to replace it I would like to upgrade to aluminum but I don't want to spend over $200 for it. Any ideas? Time is limited!

 

Get one for a trans am with 350 engine and ask for the aluminum one at your local auto parts store. I paid about $126 tax including from Advanced Auto Parts and it has the plastic sides so it only temporary until my new 350 engine arrives at my house.

 

the stock one on my car is aluminum and it has plastic sides. I want one that is all aluminum. I hate the plastic on the sides, every vehicle i've ever owned with plastic sides has busted at some point.

 

You're probably NOT going to find as all-aluminum radiator for under 200. Maybe 350.

 

I totally agree with you, Barry85Iroc.

 

While were on the subject of aluminum and plastic radiators, I have a great bit of information I will share. I was talking to my local neighborhood mechanic (the guy I take it to when I can't fix it). He attended a class on the new Dex-Cool anti-freeze. He gave me the scoop for anyone who cares. The green stuff (hereafter referred to as the green stuff) attacks aluminum as it breaks down. The Orange stuff (hereafter referred to as the orange stuff) attacks the plastic as it breaks down. I saw fit to run the Orange stuff, since I'm using all-aluminum rad. So, if the orange stuff breaks down, it won't harm the radiator. Makes sense to me.....

 

ya, i think you guys are right. the cheapest i can find is 300 before tax for a new one. i was kinda hoping i could find a used one at the local camaro/firebird salvage lot, but no luck looks like i'll be stickin to a stock model. if anyone has or runs accross a used all aluminum for a good price please pm me.