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Champion Radiator Won't Fit

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Old 12-26-2012, 05:07 PM
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Champion Radiator Won't Fit

I Got My Radiator Back In October And Until Now I'm Installing It. It's The 3 Core Champion Radiator And The Top 2 Fins Are Too Tall For My Fan Shroud. Any Ideas? Fyi I Did Remove The Bottom And Top Rubber Supports
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Old 12-26-2012, 05:42 PM
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Re: Champion Radiator Won't Fit

Pull it back out and see if the core support is bent up.
I did one last year and it fit with the rubbers out top and bottom.
I had to shave the top ones a bit tho.
Old 12-26-2012, 05:53 PM
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Re: Champion Radiator Won't Fit

I'll pull it out again and see what I find. I Added another picture pointing at the top fins.
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Old 12-27-2012, 09:50 AM
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Re: Champion Radiator Won't Fit

i have seen those champion radiators i got one for my 80 montecarlo and i was looking into getting one for my 91 gta.which model do you have
Old 12-27-2012, 10:44 AM
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Re: Champion Radiator Won't Fit

That's a common problem, you need to fabricate something yourself to make it fit. Would be even a bigger PITA if you retain the stock fans

Old 12-27-2012, 10:54 AM
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Re: Champion Radiator Won't Fit

nice engine layout
Old 12-27-2012, 02:02 PM
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Re: Champion Radiator Won't Fit

Since the 24th of this month was the last day to return it I guess im stuck with this radiator. I want to retain the stock fans cause I dont have enough cash to buy new ones.
Old 12-27-2012, 08:00 PM
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Re: Champion Radiator Won't Fit

from what i have read they are hit and miss. i didnt buy one due to the fins inside the rad being different. good luck.
Old 12-28-2012, 10:49 PM
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Re: Champion Radiator Won't Fit

I'm running the 3 core Champion with the stock fans and the stock cover on top.

Here's the deal: I had to cut the bottom rubber pieces down to near nothing. "Trimming" is an understatement. I had juuuuuust enough to barely cover the spiky points on the shelf below the radiator.

Upper rubber pieces are basically horizontal only. The half moon shape is long gone. If I were to do it again, I probably wouldn't use the top rubber pieces at all.

I had to push down on the cover and pull backwards in a "tug of war" position to get the cover to align itself with the bolt holes as well as hold down low enough. I had a friend put the bolts back in. It's flush on top. But I dread having to undo it in the future.

So yes, the stock radiator cover piece will fit. But it's not easy. I don't know how one would be able to do it by themselves.
Old 12-31-2012, 03:21 AM
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Re: Champion Radiator Won't Fit

Thanks guys for your help. I manage to get champion to exhange my radiator for a 2 row instead (dont plan on doing 450 hp anytime soon). I removed both top and bottom rubber pieces and it still didnt bolt up, no structural damage either. I guess ill just invest in a stage 2 water pump and more redline water wetter
Old 01-01-2013, 12:43 PM
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Re: Champion Radiator Won't Fit

I cut the top of the support a little. two fan setup.

My bigger problem was the upper hose was in the way of my supercharger pulley. Maybe 20 minutes with the air body saw.

-- Joe
Attached Thumbnails Champion Radiator Won't Fit-champion_rad_inst2.jpg  
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