Savage heat exchangers
The range Savage built its name on. Every unit pairs a nickel-plated copper shell with a 90/10 cupro-nickel tube bundle and bronze O-ring-sealed end caps — the materials that survive salt water — and mounts vertically or horizontally with an integral header tank, so one unit closes the fresh-water circuit without extra plumbing. Sizes run from the smallest petrol and diesel auxiliaries up to big V8 petrol engines and medium diesels, and the modular construction scales past that for larger commercial engines.
The lineup
Ratings shown are typical Australian applications, not factory limits - final selection is confirmed against your engine's heat rejection at quote.
| Model | Construction | Typical application |
|---|---|---|
| MK2 | 24" × 3" shell | small-block V8s and diesels (a favourite on Mercruiser 6.0 L repowers) |
| MK3 | 18" × 4" shell | to ~280 hp |
| MK3.5 | 22" × 4" shell | to ~400 hp |
| MK4 | 26" × 4" shell, 1-3/4" fresh-water connections | to ~550 hp |
| MK4 LS | 4" × 30" vertical with integral header tank | ~400 hp LS conversions - the Australian ski-boat standard |
Where these earn their keep
- Inboard ski and wakeboard boats (LS and big-block conversions)
- Jet boats - the market Savage grew up in
- Fishing and commercial vessels
- Repowers replacing raw-water cooling with a closed circuit
The materials, always
Nickel-plated copper shells, 90/10 cupro-nickel tube bundles, bronze O-ring-sealed end caps and zinc anode protection - the materials specification is the product.
Luxfords is Savage's Australian distributor - named on Savage's own export page - stocking the MK-series exchangers, oil coolers and service parts in Mornington with sizing help and cross-referencing at the counter.
Owners ask
Which Savage heat exchanger suits an LS ski boat conversion?
The MK4 LS is the one the Australian inboard ski-boat scene standardised on: a 4-inch by 30-inch vertical unit with integral header tank, typically fitted to LS conversions around 400 hp. Confirm the final selection with us against your engine's actual heat rejection - horsepower alone doesn't decide it.
Vertical or horizontal mounting - which do I want?
Whichever your engine bay allows. Vertical units save transom-to-engine length and put the header tank on top where filling and inspection are easy; horizontal units sit low beside or above the engine. Savage builds both across the range, and the integral header tank closes the circuit either way.
Why cupro-nickel tubes instead of copper or stainless?
90/10 cupro-nickel is the marine industry's answer to salt water inside a heat exchanger: it resists corrosion and erosion at raw-water velocities far better than plain copper, without the chloride pitting risk stainless carries in stagnant sea water. Paired with zinc anode protection and bronze end caps, it's why these units last decades on the same boat.
Stock & sizing from the Australian distributor
Send the engine details, the old unit's shell numbers, or photos with a tape measure in frame - we'll match the Savage part and quote from Mornington stock.
(03) 5973 6444