champion aluminum radiators
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 87
Likes: 16
From: Midway Ga
champion aluminum radiators
Anyone here have one of their radiators ?
I would like to have a Dewitts but the price is not in my budget so dont beat me up for not considering one.
The dimensions on the Champs are close but the tanks are @1/2" larger and the height and width are pretty close.
If anyone has installed one please let me know what u did to get it to fit into the shroud.
Thanks
I would like to have a Dewitts but the price is not in my budget so dont beat me up for not considering one.
The dimensions on the Champs are close but the tanks are @1/2" larger and the height and width are pretty close.
If anyone has installed one please let me know what u did to get it to fit into the shroud.
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
There was a discussion here awhile back on Champion Radiators.
Some said they were Great and others said they were junk...In the end though, the general consensus was that they were a good radiator for the money.
More people liked it than hated it...
Some said they were Great and others said they were junk...In the end though, the general consensus was that they were a good radiator for the money.
More people liked it than hated it...
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 195
Likes: 23
From: Sand Springs OK
I have one in my '89, I think their part number is CC829. The fit was close, but I had to modify the rubber cushions that ride between the radiator and the brackets on the top side. Had to remove some of the material to make the I.D. wider to accommodate the increased thickness of the radiator. The bottom side didn't need any modifications. Nice tight fit when it was done. The only real problem I had was when I screwed in the transmission lines. The first one seemed to start just fine by hand, then I proceeded to use a wrench when it started to tighten, and I really didn't have to use hardly any torque to turn it, but it stripped the threads right out. The threads seem much softer than typical aluminum threads. Anyway, I had to go buy an external tranny cooler and just bypass the radiator, but everything works well and the new radiator keeps the car below 215 even with the A/C on in 100+ degree weather. I would say it's a good product for the money, just be careful with the tranny lines.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 274
Likes: 12
From: Louisburg NC
I've had the 3 row in my '94 for about 6 months. Works great. I had to do some cutting on the rubber mounts but it was pretty easy. Since I installed the radiator, electric water pump and programmed the fans to come on at 200, the temp has never been above 205 even in the worst DC traffic.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 242
I've had one for over a year. No problems - car runs between 170-190 max. In addition to the aluminum radiator it also has an electric water pump, 160* tstat and reprogrammed fans.
Radiator fits perfectly and looks top notch with excellent welds.
edit: after reading the post above mine I recalled that it was also necessary for me to trim the rubber mounts to fit the radiator. Other than that - perfect fit.
Radiator fits perfectly and looks top notch with excellent welds.
edit: after reading the post above mine I recalled that it was also necessary for me to trim the rubber mounts to fit the radiator. Other than that - perfect fit.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,220
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Search for "budget radiator" in title and GreggPenn as originator of the thread and you will find pics on the rubber foot modification necessary to get the "American Eagle" line of all-alum Champion radiators to fit in your car.
I recommend them. (Don't use the trans cooler though...as mine's a stick.)
