Copper rad compared to others?

[cschepp]

Ok so I have a copper rad and wondered if I should keep it and what it will perform like? I have heard of them before but have never really read up on them much. I imagine they would be a little more expensive but really don't know what it's worth nor how it would perform. I'm definitely interested in knowing because I might swap it out for a different one if it's not going to live up to it's expectations.

[Bruizer]

Copper cools better. What kind is it? I'm looking to change my forged racing one.

[bellis_GTR]

Yeah it dissipates heat better then aluminum.

[cschepp]

Excellent! I think it is either a nismo or sard. Either way I'm super happy to hear that.

[Marus92]

Copper has twice the thermal conductivity of aluminium, so you're effectively doubling your cooling potential for the same exposed surface (same radiator size and fins). Thing is though, aluminium is more noble than copper; I can assume copper will oxide or corrode faster in a metal rich contaminated environment (like coolant from an engine block). It could possibly affect long term cooling capacity but I'm sure you can just flush it with CLR if that's the case.

[cschepp]

I'll prolly run it for a bit and see how it works. If I don't think it's working to full capacity then I will give it a good flush, but it did look pretty clean.

[dark_sky]

copper dissipates heat better then aluminum, yes. but the size of the core tubes are biger in aluminum then copper rads. so you get more flow out or a 2 core aluminum rad rather then a 2 core copper rad. but if this rad looks good try it mabey its a 3 core. try it if it work the way you like it keep it. its up to you chris.

[cschepp]

Ya man that's what I'm thinking man. If it works then I'll prolly just stick with it. But the rad in general looks bigger thickness wise then stock. I'll try it out once my rb26 actually starts and see how she goes. I will be using this car all year round so I don't know what's going to happen yet.

[Marus92]

lol Don't use CLR btw, thought it's inert to metals but apparently not. Was going to use it to clean one of my cooling coils in the lab. Really wonder why the R is in CLR if it's so limited in the first place.

I'm gonna try some Can Tire rad cleaner instead.

[cschepp]

Prolly not going to clean it yet as it's pretty clean, will use the crappy tire stuff just to be safe