whats the price on it? wasnt it around $230? am interested,last thing for my build

 

$195 + Shipping for a 3 Row (no fans)
$225 + Shipping for a 3 Row (2 12" fans [those cost him $30 extra])
$340 + Shipping for a 3 Row (2 12" fans and fan shroud)

Let me know in the GP thread, thanks!

 

look at the weld right next to the neck it looks like its seperating from the damn body

 

Only a few more days to get in on the GP for these folks!

There's even a 2-row aluminum factory replacement for about $150.

 

Hey guys, I had a few questions about these. They look to be of very good quality, and a total bargain for a better than stock radiator, though I'm eyeballing the two-core version (as far as I know, stock radiators on these cars are plastic tank, single cores).

One question I have is, will the 2-core suffice for a mild - moderately modded L98? That's the long term plan w/my car, though it has a stock 305 TBI in it now. It's just going to be a street/nice weather resto-mod, and maybe see an occasional track visit for fun, but I have no plans to turn it into any type of non-street legal, full on track beast.

Also, what exactly will I need to do to make one of these fit? I hear there is still a bit of tinkering involved to get it to fit perfectly.

And lastly, my car is actually currently sitting (it's been for about a month now). The radiator leaks, and is loaded with scale and corrosive goodness. I'm planning to do both the radiator and the water pump at once, but am curious if I should try and use any stuff to flush out my cooling system out at all before installing the new stuff? Ultimately, I want to play it safe and go get it flushed somewhere that has the right equipment in case there is scale in my block, but I'm just curious how I should go about all of it. It won't make it to the closest shop as is atm without overheating :/

Thanks!

 

It's a better than stock replacement as a 2-core, so yes and the 2-core is going to fit much better as-is than a larger 3-core which may need a little adjustment.

Get on board! 2 days left!

 

will a 3 row with 2 12'' fans + shroud be enough for a 500hp 383 w/ 3inch cowl hood?

 

PM replied. Should be fine, but there is also a 4-core available.

1 more day to order folks! I believe Geoff should take orders till Wednesday.

 

Well, I got my radiator in already! looks very nice!

I still have a question though. Some people have mentioned that the rubber mounts that house the bottom of the radiator need to be trimmed down or removed in order to fit these. Since I'm admittedly a n00b who's never done a radiator job before (but it seems like a pretty easy deal on these cars), I just need to know what exactly I'll be using on what to get it to fit properly. I have the two-core version, if that makes any difference.

P.S: Since I'm running a manual transmission, am I even doing anything w/the transmission cooler outlet when I install it? Thanks!

 

Does anyone know if the Champion radiators come with a tranny cooler built into them?

 

Okay so whats the real issue with this rubber grommet/isolator thing? I tried to drop in my radiator and its like an inch too tall. You take the rubber out and it fits fine. But I wouldn't recommend that leaving metal on metal because of vibrations etc...etc. Now, would trimming help out? Have people trimmed the stock one down or have you tried to put some dense foam tape on the bottom? And hows the threading of the trans lines? Has this been fixed? Mine seemed to thread in fine, no issue there. Maybe they fixed it, I dunno. Lemme know what you guys think or know. Thanks.

-3rd

 

i picke up one... came to $220 shipped took 3 days to get to me from CA to WA state.

just used the old Visa

Fast shipping

 

I just wanted to come back in and make a comment that will hopefully help any fellow 3rd gen owners having problems fitting these radiators in their cars. I strongly recommend you check to make sure that your radiator core support is in fact straight, before you begin. I had tons of trouble getting mine, despite trimming down the rubber isolators pretty well. I got to the point where I knew something else had to be wrong, and it turned out my core support was bent from the vehicle having been previously jacked up the wrong way, rather than by the frame. I know we love our cars, but let's face it, many people who own these cars don't take care of them, or make mistakes like that with them!

As for the rubber isolators, I had to trim mine down fairly thin. A grinder works, but it time consumptive. Try cutting as much as you can off with some type of knife first (you may be able to do it this way alone), and then smooth out the surface, if so desired. I had to trim mine to be both deeper, and wider in order to fit mine. I also had to cut a bit off from the A/C condenser upper isolators in order for the radiator to pull forward enough for the fan shroud to line up with the bolt holes.

Everything fits in there nice and snug, and didn't require any other modification. I guess I'll find out how it works once I'm done installing my heater core, and get a chance to finally fire this thing up again.

 

which ebay store are you guys buying these from there are a few different ones? any bad experiences with any of them???

 

I bought mine from Geoff at ledfoot_racing off ebay. I know alot of others have as well. He's a real nice guy to deal with.

 

As mentioned many times, the issue with the rubber isolators is exactly what you're seeing on your car. The radiator is actually too tall so the isolators must be trimmed down quite a bit. Once while speaking to Geoff at led_foot racing I informed him that the radiators, the 3-row at least, are a little too tall so aren't exactly drop in without the isolator modification. Definitely don't run without them or put some other cushioning material. I ditched my single fan so was able to modify my upper fan shroud piece and didn't have to deal with the upper isolators. I might change it with some sort of rubber cushioned aluminum piece or make something else.

 

that looks pretty good man did you put something in between the front of the radiator and the core support it looks like the top of the tanks would be hitting it?
also does the shroud give it better cooling capabilities?? because it will kind of create a vaccum with the fans?

 

The radiator tanks are pressing up against the rubber isolator pieces that go over the a/c condenser and then sit between the condenser and the tanks, same as with the original radiator. I only removed the top ones that are normally attached to the ends of the upper plastic shroud piece which you see I've cut down.

I can't compare shrouding alone before and after on my setup b/c I went from the stock single fan un-shrouded setup to my dual shrouded setup but from everything I read it makes a big difference. Also, when I first tested the setup idling in the driveway I only had one fan connected (the other was still mounted to the shroud, just not running) and even with it like that it cooled the car down from 210 to 180 really fast.

 

I just got the Champion 3 core from koolradiatorscoolingsystems on Ebay for $167 shipped. He has more for $224 now. The one I received was built crooked and does not fit. It looks like they started with a bowed core and then welded the tanks on crooked to try and make up for it. The seller said that happens every now and then and is going to pay to have it shipped back and replaced. Something else to check if you are having fitment problems.

 

Just installed mine. I used a flat rubber mat for the bottom tray and trimmed the top 2. I exstended my top shroud peice to hold the radiator as it is too tall and sticks in to the motor more then stock.

With ledfoots 3 row, and 2 zirgo 16'' 3000cfm fans ( 1 mounted on the inside, 1 mounted on the outside as pusher puller ) My car goes from 195 down to 160 at idle in about 25-30 seconds. The fans produce alot of electric and bogs the motor down about 4-500rpm when there on. I bought an aftermarket fan relay switch to control when they come on.

Something to look into if your having cooling issues

 

go to a bike shop. get a bad bike tire tube. now cut it into 4" squares.

now you can glue them down. in the spot you need them.

i have had my car from day one. and it fit just fine with the rubber pads zip tied the the bottom of the new radiator.

zip tied (8 small holes drilled into the bottom rail)
then the zip ties go into the pads and rail and ..shzzam! rubber boots on the bottom of the radiator. that never fall off

 

I just bought a dual row all aluminum radiator "direct fit" from summit racing for my 87 Z28, and of course like most "direct fit" there's usually a little bit of modification required. My rubber mounts were entirely too small, I just went to a local junk yard and found a 1996 chevy pickup 2500, still had the rubber mounts and they fit the new radiator like they were made for it. Also the drain plug is on the opposite side than that of the stock radiator, had to cut the groove out of the tray so it would fit. Nice radiator though. I have a single Zirgo 16" 3630cfm fan and also wired it to an aftermarket switch to control when it comes on and off, cools brilliantly.

 

Lol..finally back on the IROC.. Went to install my transmission lines into the radiator..threads stripped right out from the top.. What is my best option?? Sleeve and tap is what I was going to have done since the trans fitting just slides in and out of the hole now.. This is what is holding me back from starting the IROC in the last 4 1/2 years.. Perfect..

 

ehhhh. best option is buy an external cooler. they dont warranty the radiator with stripped threads.

 

But I don't believe that will be adequate cooling.. I should get one anyway though.. Thanks..

Anyone know the size and pitch of the male and female threads of the transmission line fitting and the radiator..

Are these the correct thread size for this radiator..as my stock lines fit..just stripped.. Thanks..
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...8448_233208_0_

 

AWWW MAN that's not what I was hoping you would say!!
I was hoping to hear how you're loving it!!

Can you take it to a rad shop?

Hope it turns out good for ya!!

 

Yuppers..last important part needing install and this happened.. I have since bought an external cooler and am bypassing the radiator (for now) until I can have it fixed..probably when I have my fans wired up and installed as well.. Or I may 5spd swap..sell the radiator to someone cheap and get a manual radiator instead.. We will see..for now its' all about starting the car..then going back over everything.. And thanks..

 

Do the stock dual fans mount up to these Champion radiators?

 

Hey guys, I just signed up with this site. I have a 91 RS that I have been slowly building. It has a mild 355 in it.

I was talking to Jeff at Champion radiators about the CC951 3 core. He says it is good up to 750hp for 219.98. He also offers the EC951 that is good to 450hp for 149.98. I am leaning toward the 750hp one since not a huge price difference.

He also recommended the single 16" fan (49.95) vs dual 12" fans. $30 bucks shipping for the fan and radiator to TN.

I questioned direct fit and he pointed me in this direction to read comments about the fit and quality of the radiators. I read it is pretty much direct fit.

My questions to you guys are...., Has any other members had any other issues with the radiators fit, quality and did they get the trans line threads correct yet?

I have other questions and going to look around to post them in correct sections on here..

Thanks for any tips or advise.

 

I got one a little over a month ago and put it in last week.
The trans lines threaded in fine. It is substantially taller than stock, I had to trim my rubber grommets/pads down tremendously to get it to fit. If you dont cut them down the top plastic piece wont mount.

 

Thanks for reply. That makes me more comfortable on my purchase. I am going to order one today. Did you get the dual 12" or single 16" fan?

 

My stock dual fans mounted just fine.

 

Ok, I don't have stock ele fans. I ordered the 16" single fan. That was recommended to cool better than the dual 12" fans and little cheaper also.

Suggestion to anyone that is going to buy a Champion radiator... Do a little research.. I first saw the fans on the Champion web site. I looked around little more and found same radiator cheaper on ebay from same company. I called and adked about why Ebay was cheaper than actual web site.. He dropped the price and saved me $30 bucks...

Also, he says a group order would save even more. If you have buddies that need a radiator get a group order and will be a lot cheaper. I read on some of these posts that some have already completed a group order and saved some bucks. If I would have had more time I would have worked on getting one up.. Fed Ex tracking says I will have my items on Wed... Hope to be able to get it on there Wed night.. Plan to have my gear in and hit the strip Fri night.. I will post my opinion on the Champion radiator after I run it a few times..

 

Not sure on the quality of the fans they recommend or how much air they can *actually* move. I'm not saying there better than a dual stock setup but there is a lot of other options out there. I only kept stock to figure out what exactly is going on with my car and why its overheating.

 

So has anyone concluded what the best bang for the buck is as far as aftermarket fans? Single Vs Dual? Brands etc, it seems to be a mixed bag in this sticky. Is there an option available for a nice replacement setup that doesn't require a custom mounting solution and will mount on a champion without having to draw up CAD brackets like turbo did?

Steve0

 

I had single, and upgraded to dual.. It cools it down too much actually lol

 

I just bought this radiator!!!! Heck Yeah!! But then I noticed you said the adapters are "M to NPT F fitting" then you said "Metric F X SAE M". So what is the size of the adapter that I need? I run a 86 IROC if that helps.

 

screeminchicken, disregard my last post. I read a bit more and found the answer. My appologies.

 

Just got my Champion 951 radiator today! After investigating the Champion Company, I found out that back in 2005-2006, I use to drive right infont of Champion Company in Lake Elsinore CA. I also find it rather odd (in my case) that the part number is "CC951." the 951 is the area code of Lake Elsinore. Its a small world. Also I varified the tranny fluid tanks. Mine looks hollow inside. So I removed the blue plugs and plugged one with my finger, then I blew on the other end and there is no escaping air. So my hollow looking tranny cooling tank is sealed.
3-1.jpg?t=1318549155

 

One more thing, how does the little fluid level sensor work and how can I monitor it?

 

Installed my radiator today in the morning. As usual, I had to cut off the little section that seperates the OEM radiator from the condensor. Other than that, Its a beautiful radiator. One problem though, as I went to take off the plug for the heater core, the damb stub broke off inside the fitting. Im just gonna have to drill and tap the fitting. I did have to remove the upper rubber mounts. THen I cut up 2 rubber sections of a bike tube to hold the upper radiator snug. Worked out pretty good.

 

I'd really like to see pictures of people bolting the shroud and fans on for future ease of removal. I see some riveted them on, I'd like to take my shroud and fans off completely without drilling out rivets. As I see a fan upgrade in the future, possibly.

 

I didnt have to do anything with anything. Only mods I made was cut off the elevation on the lower rubber mounts. Then I removed the upper mounts under the fan shroud. Then I cut to 3 inch pieces of rubber tubing and put them on the upper tanks. Thats it. I did read that another member had his fan shroud not line up to the upper bolt holes, but that wasnt the case with me. It wasnt all that hard either. I had more trouble trying to bolt the lower fan bolts to the lower fan shroud than anything else.

 

The stock fan shroud fit like absolute crap for me. It will not work unless i drill new holes into it and even then the fans are still crooked to the point where they scrape into the back of the radiator when I spin them.

Its definitely not a "direct bolt on" installation. I wish I did more research before I bought the radiator, that's for sure.

 

To make future research easier. Expect everything to go in as custom fit. I expect nothing to be "direct fit" as not every car goes through the same treatment.

 

so do the tranny cooler fittings fit automatics or what? still not clear to me..

 

If your tranny lines are stock, they will mount up perfectly. Confirmed by me.

 

Mine mounted up, but stripped during second install. I ended up getting a trans cooler, just be Carefull

 

I thought I had stripped mine. I was highly pissed. But after wiggling the line itself and finger tightening the nut, I was able to get the nut far enough to believe the fitting wasn't stripped. So after tightening, I turned On the IROC and it worked like a charm.

 

fresh..just ordered mine