heater core replacement, aluminum vs copper (Page 1/1) vette7584 AUG 31, 08:46 PM has anyone used the aluminum heater core to replace the stock copper one? any pros/cons? thanks! Patrick AUG 31, 09:09 PM This has been discussed many times. Except for being a tad shorter , the aluminum ones are fine. Firezappy AUG 31, 11:14 PM This post on the forum covers your questions well. Basically what I gathered is that a well built aluminum heater core will perform perfectly fine. Its not so much the material that is important but the fin density. DukeHog SEP 03, 03:28 PM I recently purchased one of the cheap Spectra brand aluminum ones for a V6 car with A/C from RockAuto that absolutely did not fit due to the pipes being in the wrong place. The pipes would not fit correctly through the tunnel in the firewall. I think their weld fixture setup is wrong. I sent it back and purchased the brass/copper one (similar to OEM) and it fit perfectly. I ordered it online through a different supplier but I would have to look through emails at home to find out the brand name. DukeHog SEP 03, 04:13 PM You can see the difference when viewing the two pictures. The tubes on the aluminum Spectra version are set too far apart especially near the base making it too wide to fit through the dash. https://www.rockauto.com/en...pk=946928&cc=1249107 https://www.rockauto.com/en...k=3612279&cc=1249107 USMUCL SEP 04, 12:46 PM And whether aluminum or copper, they are all just a touch shorter than the stock one even when the pipes are perfect. I literally ordered no less than 7 different variations/brands trying to find one that was the same size as stock. Obviously, all but six were returned, and I made the seventh one work. Even when the seller swore it was of the proper size before I ordered . . . nope. Inconsequential in the end, just letting you know so you don't waste your time like I did. I suspect there are only a couple actual variations manufactured, and they are just rebranded under different parts suppliers.