Brass vs alloy heater cores
Many heater cores are made in two constructions: alloy (aluminium) and brass(copper-brass). Both do the same job — hot coolant runs through the core and the fan blows air across it to heat the cabin — but they suit different vehicles and budgets.
Alloy (aluminium) heater cores
- The construction most modern vehicles leave the factory with.
- Light and usually the lower-cost option.
- Autoheat's value range of standard aluminium replacement parts.
Brass (copper-brass) heater cores
- Heavier, thicker-walled construction built for long service life.
- A good choice for vehicles that work hard: trucks, buses, 4WDs and machinery.
- Autoheat's heavy-duty copper and brass replacement heater cores are developed for exactly this.
How to tell which one a part number is
Where we stock both, the core has two part numbers with a letter on the end: A = alloy andB = brass. For example, IHC1566 comes as IHC1566A (alloy) or IHC1566B (brass) — the same core, fitting the same vehicles, in a different material.
Which should I choose?
For an everyday car, alloy is normally the sensible, economical choice. If the vehicle is used commercially, runs long hours or has already been through a heater core, brass is worth considering. If you're not sure, tell us how the vehicle is used when you request a quote and we'll recommend one.