97 GS-R radiator

Could anyone confirm what kind of radiator comes with 97 GS-R? I was under the impression it was aluminum. I took it to a repair shop and they found my radiator leaking and needed to be replaced. When I asked about the replacement I was told it would be replaced with a plastic one and claimed it to be equal or better than OEM.

And also what is the radiator life time(factory installed in 97 GS-R)? Is it common to have radiator leak in 8 years of usage?

Thanks

im not familiar with any honda/acura comming with an aluminium radiator but if you look at it you can easily tell if it is

plastic housing, its not all aluminum like a fluidine

Thanks and you are right it is aluminum core with plastic housing.