NB heater core and aluminium pipes

takai · Postby **takai** » Sat Apr 21, 2018 10:18 pm

Looking at changing the heater core on my NA while I have the dash out. Looking around it seems that the NB (in the US st least) has aluminium pipes and Vband clamps rather than the fixed copper ones. Is that the case here too? Or did our NBs come with copper pipe work. Would prefer alloy pipes if I can get them.

greenMachine · Postby **greenMachine** » Sat Apr 21, 2018 11:08 pm

My understanding is that the NBs are aluminium, and the NAs are copper - that is, the piping and core are the same material, and they are interchangeable.

I had a heater radiator failure in my NB8A, and so I think a precautionary change is probably a good idea (it ended up costing me an engine, long story). I replaced mine with another aluminium one (after-market, not OE), and as far as I can recall both were welded-on pipes and push-on hoses. If I had my time again I would go for the copper, but maybe that's because I am an old fart.

I've got one from a 2003 NB8B in my pile of bits, I'll see if I can check it out in the morning, whether there is a v-band.

:mrgreen:

takai · Postby **takai** » Sun Apr 22, 2018 10:36 am

greenMachine wrote:My understanding is that the NBs are aluminium, and the NAs are copper - that is, the piping and core are the same material, and they are interchangeable.

I had a heater radiator failure in my NB8A, and so I think a precautionary change is probably a good idea (it ended up costing me an engine, long story). I replaced mine with another aluminium one (after-market, not OE), and as far as I can recall both were welded-on pipes and push-on hoses. If I had my time again I would go for the copper, but maybe that's because I am an old fart.

I've got one from a 2003 NB8B in my pile of bits, I'll see if I can check it out in the morning, whether there is a v-band.

This is what the yanks got on their NBs. https://imgur.com/S9AiEPV

greenMachine · Postby **greenMachine** » Sun Apr 22, 2018 9:32 pm

Then that is probably what we got. Mine is still wrapped up as part of the full dash, and currently inaccessible.

:mrgreen:

GR124 · Postby **GR124** » Mon Apr 23, 2018 9:22 am

takai wrote:Looking at changing the heater core on my NA while I have the dash out. Looking around it seems that the NB (in the US st least) has aluminium pipes and Vband clamps rather than the fixed copper ones. Is that the case here too? Or did our NBs come with copper pipe work. Would prefer alloy pipes if I can get them.

I have the Ally heater pipes, vee bands, and the heater core if you want them? pulled them from NA had done 99 KM.

takai · Postby **takai** » Mon Apr 23, 2018 11:52 am

GR124 wrote:
takai wrote:Looking at changing the heater core on my NA while I have the dash out. Looking around it seems that the NB (in the US st least) has aluminium pipes and Vband clamps rather than the fixed copper ones. Is that the case here too? Or did our NBs come with copper pipe work. Would prefer alloy pipes if I can get them.

I have the Ally heater pipes, vee bands, and the heater core if you want them? pulled them from NA had done 99 KM.

NA? All the catalogues only list copper cores for NAs.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Mon Apr 23, 2018 1:06 pm

Consider removing the heater core/fan and replacing with a heated windscreen. Less parts and less weight.

takai · Postby **takai** » Mon Apr 23, 2018 1:20 pm

Magpie wrote:Consider removing the heater core/fan and replacing with a heated windscreen. Less parts and less weight.

Still a road car.

GR124 · Postby **GR124** » Mon Apr 23, 2018 1:24 pm

takai wrote:
GR124 wrote:
takai wrote:Looking at changing the heater core on my NA while I have the dash out. Looking around it seems that the NB (in the US st least) has aluminium pipes and Vband clamps rather than the fixed copper ones. Is that the case here too? Or did our NBs come with copper pipe work. Would prefer alloy pipes if I can get them.

I have the Ally heater pipes, vee bands, and the heater core if you want them? pulled them from NA had done 99 KM.

NA? All the catalogues only list copper cores for NAs.

MY BAD, sorry takai, it's a NB8A :roll:

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Mon Apr 23, 2018 1:28 pm

Still legal as it can have the windscreen demisted. There is no rule to say how it is to be capable of being demisted.

takai · Postby **takai** » Mon Apr 23, 2018 1:39 pm

GR124 wrote:
takai wrote:
GR124 wrote:
takai wrote:Looking at changing the heater core on my NA while I have the dash out. Looking around it seems that the NB (in the US st least) has aluminium pipes and Vband clamps rather than the fixed copper ones. Is that the case here too? Or did our NBs come with copper pipe work. Would prefer alloy pipes if I can get them.

I have the Ally heater pipes, vee bands, and the heater core if you want them? pulled them from NA had done 99 KM.

NA? All the catalogues only list copper cores for NAs.

MY BAD, sorry takai, it's a NB8A

Ah for sure. Had one offer from a guy local to me, but if that falls through (previous 2 have been NA cores that people thought were aluminium) I’ll be in touch.