In the automotive industry it is predominantly done by copper? Don't think to many automotive engineers would agree with you.... even in new industrial equipment most rad's are alluminum nowadays. Its putting rad shops out of bussines because their work is drying up.

 

I meant in a copper/brass radiator, the copper is used for heat transfer. The brass forms the support structure. I also was lead to understand that, in "ye olden times" brass/copper was a better choice due to durability and initial cost. Nowadays, plastics are a lot more advanced and it is cheaper to refine/use aluminium... it's seems to have become cheaper to buy a new rad than refurbish an old all-metal unit.

That said, if I were on a multi day desert trek, I would take the heavy metal unit all the way. If it cracks... you might get a slow, fixable leak versus complete failure of a plastic tank.

 

Hello all. Just wanted to mention that I installed this radiator 1 year ago in my 86 SR5. A few days ago, I found 2 pinhole leaks that were spraying into the AC condenser. It looked like the AC condenser was leaking, which is impossible, because it was leaking antifreeze. I contacted CSF for warranty info, to see if I could get a replacement. They told me to contact the distributor I purchased it from. So I called JC whitney, and I have a new radiator on the way. Typically if a company is ready to replace my part after a year of use, I will recommend all the companies involved. So big ups to CSF and JC Whitney.