Got a few extra $'s so I figured I'd replace my 17yr old rad since it's the last of the original cooling system components. OEM replacement(aluminum/plastic) would be fine (has been for this long) but was wondering if this all aluminum one would be worth the few extra $'s.

http://www.genesisautoparts.com/all_....0l_l6_242.htm

 

2rows better than 1rows I paid 120.00 from Bennett spectra brand works great a metal tanks the best...

 

Looks like I can get a Spectra at my local Auto Zone for $99.99 (sheesh,what's a penny).

Did some surfing and it seems a GOOD all aluminum one should cost GOOD $'s.

 

I would get an aluminum 2 row before a stock one and they ain't that much more$$

 

check rockauto.com bro they have a ton of stuff on the cheap. unless you need it now, then hit up the local and get a 2 row if available

 

The tanks (what they're made of) do nothing for cooling. The FSM says the plastic tanks r stronger than metal tanks. The link says the core is 1.25" thick, same as OE factory 1 row. Since its a 2 row, that means there's a space between the 2 rows.....and that space does nothing for cooling. Technically, if the space between the 2 rows wasn't there, that rad would have a thinner core than OE. I'd stick with a 1 row, 1.25" thick (or thicker if u can find one) aluminum core minimum.

 

I wasn't concerned so much with tank material cooling capabilities as much as just an upgrade to a better built 1 row radiator. After noticing how narrow oem radiators are I can understand how more than 1 row might affect efficiancy. Are the multi row rads wider?

 

depends. check the specs on them compared to the OEM to find out! just watch your clearances

 

Rad design has changed over the past 25 years. 3-5 row, narrow tube copper/brass rads have been replaced with 1-2 row, wide tube aluminum core rads. Again, the 2 row in your link technically is a narrower/thinner core than OE 1 row, due to the space between the 2 rows that does nothing. A rad that has more rows vertically, wider rows and more fins/inch should be more efficient at heat disipation than OE. Unfortunately, that info is seldom made available.

 

When I replace my rad a few years back, I just picked one up at the local AutoZone. Back then it was a little over $90 and I have never had a problem with it and I live in South Texas where we can see ambient temps around 110 and my 98 stays between 210-213 and I never had an over heating problem. Except for one time I was driving down the high way and my rad got completely plugged up with thousands of butterflies.