Oldguard 7

I need to replace my leaking (aftermarket) 3 row copper/brass radiator after 15 years service. I have narrowed it down to these two choices.

Summitt Classic OEM Radiator #382010
Copper/Brass
3 Row
Price $276.97

Champion AE718 Jegs
All Aluminum
American Eagle Core HD 2 Row
Price $209.99

I have read a few posts stating the Champion requires some modifications. Champion owners what modifications did you have to make and how did you make them? I saw one pic where a member has a foam pad between the radiator and the core support. I also see electric fans on some. Are they really necessary?

The reviews on the Copper/Brass radiator on Summit's webpage had no modifications to make.

I'm placing an order for one of these radiators later on today and Im seeking opinions.

71VetteLover

I bought a Griffen aluminum radiator thru Summit Racing and I couldn't be happier. Yes, it was around $425 but you get what you pay for.

Richard454

I bought a Champion- disappointing- as the neck was not the same size or angle- and had to cut/find another hose to make it work. The brackets holding it in- have to be bent AND cut to fit. Be careful- if you tighten the hose clamp too tight- you'll bend the neck.

Dewitts had a scratch and dent special- I got one for $250 shipped!!!

If you have plenty of free time and like to go to the parts store a couple times trying to re-engineer the tight lower radiator hose from the factory- go for it.


Just look at these welds-

'75

There's a sticky at the top of the page for Aluminum radiators that will give you more reading than you care for!

carriljc

Might want to check the summit radiator part number? I don't see it on their website (unless I'm entering it incorrectly??)....anyway, I would go with a stock replacement, but if you're going to install an aluminum unit, here is some info:

I've had a summit radiator in my 1968 for about 13 years. Since you've narrowed it down to these here is what I can share:
It has been great. I did have to fabricate the rad supports- I bought them from summit and modified them as necessary. I go the widest radiator that I could squish between the framerails since I was doing this, and since the stock one is so small in my 1968.
The one recommendation I would make is to find a radiator that has the lower outlet up a little higher (check Jegs??).... Mine is a little close to the sway bar. I also used a 1990 Bronco radiator hose to connect to lower water pump outlet. You can see how I modified the upper rad mount to hold the radiator "down".
Electric fan is not necessary. I actually ran mine with the regular fan for a awhile.

resdoggie

You do not need electric fans. The mech'l clutch fan works just fine.

7T1vette

Copper was used when these cars were new because copper was less expensive than aluminum. But, aluminum transfers heat better than copper and...today...is also less expensive. Aluminum is the way to go...if you get a quality product that fits well.

I installed a Champion rad in my Pontiac G/P and am very happy with the quality and fit. I needed one hose adapter (thin synthetic rubber tube used to resize a main hose fitting), but that was inexpensive and readily available at car parts store.

Oldguard 7

Richard 454. What is wrong with those welds? Are the overlaps too wide? I not sure what Im looking at regarding welds.

Richard454

That they are really really NICE welds!!! That's the Dewitt-

Here's the Champion- that I am pulling out and replacing w/ the Dewitts-

And below- there is a difference!!!

Oldguard 7

I ordered the copper brass radiator from summit. I got no replies from champion owners who have them in their vettes to answer aforementioned questions about mods. I listened to that little voice saying buy the copper/brass unit over champion. DeWitts is definitely out of the question, too expensive for me.

cooper9811

Oldguard - sorry, just saw this so I guess it's too late - But have been running champion for the last 3 years with no issues. It's been cooling a mild 427 SBC stroker for 3 years now. Never gets over 190/195.

Only modification was minor tweaking of the upper radiator clamps. I did not experience the same problems Richard454 did. There is no reason the stock shroud/fan setup won't work.

Unless you are running something that requires extra cooling capacity no reason the summit rad won't work either.

bence13_33

I would go with aluminum. It dissipates heat much better and saves weight. I purchased my Be Cool aluminum radiator a long time ago but it was a direct fit and cooled my big block well.

ajrothm

Definitely go aluminum, it WILL cool better. Its definitely worth pennying up for a Dewitts for a Vette, the fitment and quality is just so much better...


However, that said, I have used Champion in my dad's 70 Nova and 69' Camaro and had no problems with either one..... Quality is not in the same league as the Dewitts though. All of our Vettes get Dewitts. I've bought 4 of them in the last 5 years.

LT1M21Vette

They are bee-you-tee-full!

red topless gator

I went with Champion a few years ago. Had to weld/reposition the lower neck as it would not clear the shroud.

7T1vette

I will say that it requires a fair amount of research to identify which Champion radiator model is the RIGHT unit to purchase for your car. There are so many models and no easy reference source (that I could find, anyway) to help you decide what is right for your car.

DeWitt's can immediately give you the correct radiator for YOUR car when you call them.

Champion radiators require work to figure out which is right for your installation/options.

P.S. I was very impressed with the weld quality of the Champion radiator in my Pontiac. Don't know if those are "hand" welded or "robot" welded, but it looked like the proverbial "row of dimes".

0Tom@Dewitt

Well, I'm too late but for others that are on the fence we do make a tweener model for Zip. By that I mean we offer our radiator without the nicer (expensive) extruded GM type channels for about $150 less than our standard model for all C3 applications.

Here is the one for Oldguard.
Click here

If you have a different model just search out your year. You will find two models show up, the standard one with all the frills (about $525) and another one for $399. Same radiator, different channels

0Tom@Dewitt

BTW, Champion and America Eagle are basically the same company

cooper9811

Champion is very open about that fact - it's clearly called out on their website. I have found their customer service to be pretty good - when I was searching for a cost-effective cooling solution, the rep on the phone was pretty open about the product lines, and which models would work best for my application.

wahidovic

radiators curvette are the best radiators i have two in my garage old generation thanxs gm thanx curvette i love this car <!--td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->SnapTube TubeMate Test Dpc