Champion Radiator
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 9
From: KB7TIF Ville NV
Champion Radiator
Just purchased a 3 row for the 454, delivered in 1 day.
Packaging is a so so.
This will the thread to watch for a direct comparison to a stock Harrison rad.
Was running at 200- too high for me. Will see what the champ will do
When just blowing thru the fins there is Much less restriction then the Harrison.
The item to get for your 70K restore protect? Maybe not. Worth 220$ ? hell ya.
Packaging is a so so.
This will the thread to watch for a direct comparison to a stock Harrison rad.
Was running at 200- too high for me. Will see what the champ will do
When just blowing thru the fins there is Much less restriction then the Harrison.
The item to get for your 70K restore protect? Maybe not. Worth 220$ ? hell ya.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Regina Saskatchewan
I bought a DeWitts a few years ago and my best buddy bought a 'not a DeWitts'. This winter he replaced his rad with another 'non- Dewitts' brand because 'they're cheaper.'
You get what you pay for son. I run a 205 themostat in winter (yeah winter in Canada
) and a 180 in summer and it is always BANG ON. I was running a 160 for awhile and DeWitts kept it there too (though 160 is not a good idea).
Good luck
You get what you pay for son. I run a 205 themostat in winter (yeah winter in Canada
) and a 180 in summer and it is always BANG ON. I was running a 160 for awhile and DeWitts kept it there too (though 160 is not a good idea). Good luck
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 9
From: KB7TIF Ville NV
I bought a DeWitts a few years ago and my best buddy bought a 'not a DeWitts'. This winter he replaced his rad with another 'non- Dewitts' brand because 'they're cheaper.'
You get what you pay for son. I run a 205 themostat in winter (yeah winter in Canada) and a 180 in summer and it is always BANG ON. I was running a 160 for awhile and DeWitts kept it there too (though 160 is not a good idea).
Good luck
You get what you pay for son. I run a 205 themostat in winter (yeah winter in Canada
) and a 180 in summer and it is always BANG ON. I was running a 160 for awhile and DeWitts kept it there too (though 160 is not a good idea). Good luck
.
You dont have to spend 600-1000 for a good cooling radiator, Champion has a Lifetime warrantee.
If I dont like the Champ Ill purchase something else. I bet I dont have to.
I bought a 40$ aluminum rad for a car, everyone said POS. Has Lasted over 5 years cools great And that car is overloaded with 1500 lbs of magazines on a typical day in lasvegas heat, no overheats no leaks.
Must have been lucky I guess.
Prior post
..
Last edited by illenema; Jun 2, 2013 at 08:23 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 6
From: springfield ohio
I've been running a two core champion radiator for a few years now with ford focus daul fans and have had zero problems from it. I used it with my old 355 small block, and now with my 402 LSX. My temps stay at 180, even in heavy slow traffic.
You can't go wrong with this radiator. Like said before, you don't have to spend 600+ for a good radiator to keep your car running cool.
Riggs
You can't go wrong with this radiator. Like said before, you don't have to spend 600+ for a good radiator to keep your car running cool.
Riggs
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 9
From: KB7TIF Ville NV
Well the comparison between to a good condition 4 row stock BB radiator VS New 3 row champion isnt as good as I thought.
There is absolutely no improvement in cooling what so ever.
Did my same"cash the paycheck drive to the bank" and temps were exactly the same. Soo its refund time for me.
I wasn't convinced there would be any improvement that why I did not spend 500-600 on a brand name and have to argue the merits of their product.
Anyway Im taking my stock 4 core in for a power flush and investing in a Stewart stage 3 or 4 high volume pump.
There is absolutely no improvement in cooling what so ever.
Did my same"cash the paycheck drive to the bank" and temps were exactly the same. Soo its refund time for me.
I wasn't convinced there would be any improvement that why I did not spend 500-600 on a brand name and have to argue the merits of their product.
Anyway Im taking my stock 4 core in for a power flush and investing in a Stewart stage 3 or 4 high volume pump.
Last edited by illenema; Jun 3, 2013 at 12:37 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 6
From: springfield ohio
Have you changed the temp sending unit, it might be corroded and not reading accurately, or your gauge might be broken, misreading the temp. You could check this with a temporary mechanical gauge installed under the hood before you go changing out a baunch of parts.
Just my thoughts.
Riggs
Just my thoughts.
Riggs
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,610
Likes: 344
From: No Where USA
I bought a DeWitts a few years ago and my best buddy bought a 'not a DeWitts'. This winter he replaced his rad with another 'non- Dewitts' brand because 'they're cheaper.'
You get what you pay for son. I run a 205 themostat in winter (yeah winter in Canada) and a 180 in summer and it is always BANG ON. I was running a 160 for awhile and DeWitts kept it there too (though 160 is not a good idea).
Good luck
You get what you pay for son. I run a 205 themostat in winter (yeah winter in Canada
) and a 180 in summer and it is always BANG ON. I was running a 160 for awhile and DeWitts kept it there too (though 160 is not a good idea). Good luck
I always love it when people say you get what you pay for. So that means when I buy something I should get the most expensive because it is the best. Dosen´t always work out that way.
I have had champion radiators in my cars and have no complaints.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
What thermostat are you running?
Also, you went from a 4 core copper/brass to a 3 core aluminum and the smaller 3 core cooled just as well as your old 4 core. You saved some weight and coolant and it doesn't run any hotter than it did before. How is that a bad thing? And why would you use anything smaller than a 4 core with a big block?
Also, you went from a 4 core copper/brass to a 3 core aluminum and the smaller 3 core cooled just as well as your old 4 core. You saved some weight and coolant and it doesn't run any hotter than it did before. How is that a bad thing? And why would you use anything smaller than a 4 core with a big block?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,610
Likes: 344
From: No Where USA
Well the comparison between to a good condition 4 row stock BB radiator VS New 3 row champion isnt as good as I thought.
There is absolutely no improvement in cooling what so ever.
Did my same"cash the paycheck drive to the bank" and temps were exactly the same. Soo its refund time for me.
I wasn't convinced there would be any improvement that why I did not spend 500-600 on a brand name and have to argue the merits of their product.
Anyway Im taking my stock 4 core in for a power flush and investing in a Stewart stage 3 or 4 high volume pump.
There is absolutely no improvement in cooling what so ever.
Did my same"cash the paycheck drive to the bank" and temps were exactly the same. Soo its refund time for me.
I wasn't convinced there would be any improvement that why I did not spend 500-600 on a brand name and have to argue the merits of their product.
Anyway Im taking my stock 4 core in for a power flush and investing in a Stewart stage 3 or 4 high volume pump.
And what do you do when the stewart water pump dosen´t improve anything. I don´t understand why you would waste your time to take out something that is working.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 9
From: KB7TIF Ville NV
I took in my 4 core copper for a overhaul and sent the champion back.
If you are looking for a good radiator the champion is good. To replace a good working stock radiator I would not waste the time.
End of saga. Car runs at 195-200.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 81
From: Hamilton Virginia
Sounds as if after you power flushed your 4 core, you still had temps of 200. If I read your last post correct. Looks like the champion stayed in line with whatever you have going on with your 4 core harrison rad.
I put a 3 core Champion in my vette after the bigblock swap. So far cooling betta than my original stock radiator.
I put a 3 core Champion in my vette after the bigblock swap. So far cooling betta than my original stock radiator.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 9
From: KB7TIF Ville NV
Well update. Champion refunded my money no problem.
I took my 4 core harris stocker in, they dipped/flushed it and repainted. $40.
Cools exactly 100% as good, no changes.
I took my 4 core harris stocker in, they dipped/flushed it and repainted. $40.
Cools exactly 100% as good, no changes.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 9
From: KB7TIF Ville NV
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
On one post it was said if you flush out the stock 4 core Harrison and run a 180 t-stat it cools as well as the Champion 3 core. Did you have the shroud installed on both? Did you have the mechanical fan with a good clutch or electrics? Not arguing but you logic is good if a Harrison with the stock setup would cool as well as aluminum.
If that is true why would one invest in an aluminum radiator of Dewitts, Be cool etc? Every post I have seen says the aluminum radiators cool much better especially with high HP changes.
If that is true why would one invest in an aluminum radiator of Dewitts, Be cool etc? Every post I have seen says the aluminum radiators cool much better especially with high HP changes.