[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Radiators are not equal. The original radiator on my El Camino was a wimpy 2 core unit that could not keep the engine under 230 degrees driving down the highway at 60 MPH on a 105 degree day with the AC blasting ice cold.

There have been several times in the past when I did the same thing. Stock rad was wimpy, aftermarket had another row or two for a small cost.

I did some digging and found a high quality replacement and it has gone over 200,000 miles with no leaks except hoses. It has outlasted a couple of water pumps. I do flush my radiator and engine every other year, and the radiator is clean if I look down into it with very minimal corrosion.

That's been my experience (maybe not the 200k miles, because I haven't owned anything that long). I don't think I've had any of the inexpensive aftermarkets cause any problems. I also don't necessarily go with the cheapest available either.