duh..mr stupic...  you might check out what ALL the racers..  use... NASCAR.  FI. ect.. ALLOY rads.. www.crracing.com

Aluminium (or aluminum for you colonials) doesn't transfer heat as well as a traditional brass radiator.  Sure, they're lighter (for racing purposes) and cheaper (for the Quicksilvers amongst us) but they just don't work as efficiently - and that's not opinion it is basic physics.

Running a clean Super 2-core with an appropriate thermostat (essential for control of water speed through the rad) and a decent fan should be more than enough cooling.  Fitting a bigger rad into a 2-part shroud will require fettling to get it to fit.

Swindon. I found that Winning Spares makes the best ALLOY rads coming from China.. some are real POS..  later bc

Just as an FYI... I have had 2 different occasions where I was asked to fit one of these rads for friends minis, they fit fine, but both leaked from day one and had to come out again to have the welds addressed.

Here is my advice:

Use decently calibrated diagnostic tools and determine exactly how hot the engine is getting.

I think you are normally running about 160°F and then getting up around 195° in hot weather. 

I only use 195°F thermostats, and run my engines at that temp or higher.

Now, since a thermostat is a wear item, buy a new 195° thermostat from a quality manufacturer. Place it in a pot of water along with a decent quality thermometer and bring the water to a boil. Note the actual temp that the thermostat opens. It will probably be 193°. Install this thermostat in the car and bring the engine up to temperature. You will be able to feel the upper rad hose and the top tank warm up when this new thermostat opens. Look at the temperature gauge-wherever it is pointing is now roughly that same temperature.

the alloy rads on the ebay ad.. work on ALL minis from 59-96..   later bc

I don't know whether the alloy rads are intended for the early (2 piece) or later shrouds.  While the shrouds are different. I couldn't say whether they have different mounting points for the radiator.

A 4 core will require a non standard top mount.. As long you measure the top mount properly the 4 core will fit between the fan and MkI inner guard shroud.....just.....

Cheers, Ian

Beware that alloy and 4-core radiators may cause fit issues on MKI cars that still have the inner radiator shroud on the inner fender.

A common to-do is to use the Super 2 Core radiator and then put an electric sucker fan on the inside of the wheel well for while idling in traffic.

It's been a LONG time since I've tried any of the latest new-fangled radiators in a stock MKI, so I could be wrong about the fit. But I do know that, expecially when using metal 6-blade fans, the MKI cars are picky about what can fit. Maybe someone who has done this recently can chime in.

Good to know. Thanks for the info! For that price its worth a try. 

MLM   the best bang for the buck are the new alloy rads from china.. about $51 plus $45 shipping..ebay.com # 251632642086 later  bc

Hi fellas,
Living in Texas i'm looking into replacing my radiator.  It's the original I believe and it's been chewed up a bit by the fan blade (happened in the past i suppose) - some fins missing. 
Runs dead center normal temp when the weather is under 80 but runs a little hot in the summer.
How invasive are the modifications for a 4 core?
If it's too bad I might just get a new 2 core and see if it preforms better.
Thanks
in 
advance.