FW: brass vs plastic -- what about alum?

[Livolsi, Stephane]

What a coincidence!  I am currently in the market for a rad for my 5kq and
have been shopping around.  The best price I could find was $215 Can for an
aluminum rad.  Apparently all metal is no longer available.  OEM (with
plastic end caps) was running around $250 Can.  I thought that the cores in
all rads are aluminum, and the aluminum rad I was quoted means alum end caps
as well. Maybe I better check further before sending my $$$$.

Stephane
> ----------
> From: 	Ameer Antar[SMTP:ameer at snet.net]
> Sent: 	January 16, 2002 12:06 AM
> To: 	quattro at audifans.com
> Subject: 	brass vs plastic -- what about alum?
>
> when you guys say brass or plastic, what does it realy mean? I thought the
> OE one's were aluminum core w/ plastic end tanks right? So are the brass
> ones all brass or alum. w/ brass end-tanks? [never seen that before]...If
> so
> I think the only advantage of the brass one would be that necks don't
> break
> off....but honestly, I agree, the OE ones work well....and aluminum is a
> better conductor of heat, so the cooling system will have to work extra
> hard
> and prolly be closer to overheating when really punished in the summer.
> Anyone ever venture into all aluminum radiators for the type-44? This
> sounds
> like the best b/c you get the best heat conductivity and have stronger
> fittings than the plastic bits. I've seen 'em cheap for specific car
> designs
> mostly jap stuff, but I wonder if any designs would cross over. Anyone
> know
> of any common models w/ a similar hose config? Thanks.
>
> -ameer
>