Radiator replacement opinion??
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
Radiator replacement opinion??
I need to replace my radiator in my 82 and started to look around and the average radiator is running around $230 for a Spectra or equivalent so I popped on ebay and found a aluminum for around the same price. Many companies are selling the Champion brand with 100% feedback. Have any of you used this brand for the aluminum one? I'd deffinately rather have a aluminum over the brass for the same price.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
My '72 SBC measured the same on height and width of the radiator on the tank seams as a later V8 camaro plastic tank/alumininum single core radiator for 185 bux locally....
now trick is, to cope with the I/o of the hoses.....
now trick is, to cope with the I/o of the hoses.....
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The issue with aftermarket radiators is the lower neck.. Make sure the neck is a radius neck and not one that makes a sharp 90 degree bend. L <--- won't work it hits the sway bar... Even the Delco replacements, US radiator and other brands.. all have the wrong lower neck.. Just a heads up.. 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
The issue with aftermarket radiators is the lower neck.. Make sure the neck is a radius neck and not one that makes a sharp 90 degree bend. L <--- won't work it hits the sway bar... Even the Delco replacements, US radiator and other brands.. all have the wrong lower neck.. Just a heads up..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 854
Likes: 7
From: dudley ma
Check out Zip Corvette...aluminum for 399.00 they have 10% off right now and free shipping. There was just a thread about the Champion rads. Some mods had to be done to make it fit. I e-mailed Zip Corvette and the response was theirs are Dewitts...direct fit.
Last edited by 78pace; Aug 26, 2012 at 07:25 AM.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: NYC NY
This comes up all the time. Sometimes in pays in the long run to spend a little more up front. You have to decide if this is one of those times.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
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From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
I went with a 4 core replacment from 1800 radiator under 200.00 and fit just fine on my 77 I have drivien the car in over 100 deg weather this summer and not an issue...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
GM Cert Corvette Tech
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Anaheim Hills California
I have the stock 2 core in my 1980 L48 and I was just wondering if you had to do any modifications in order to install the champion radiator. Also which champion radiator did you get the 2,3 or 4 core?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 338
Likes: 9
From: South Bend IN
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I put the 3 core in. No modifications for me. I did have to put some adhesive foam strips between the front of the radiator and the support so the air would be forced to flow through the radiator since the Champion is thinner than stock.