Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: moparrulzzz]
#718492
06/07/10 08:38 PM
06/07/10 08:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,531 Jacksonville, FL
Chris2581
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,531
Jacksonville, FL
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Yes.I have one and although I haven't fired the engine yet,my neighbor has one and it does very well.He just put it in 2 days ago and it made a big difference.
Nautilus Racing- We use Superformance gaskets and Turbo Action converters/products.
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: Dabee]
#718498
06/08/10 08:00 PM
06/08/10 08:00 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,679 Mansfield,Ohio
moparrulzzz
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,679
Mansfield,Ohio
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Quote:
I have one in my 69 bee cooling a 511 wedge with AC. Saturday it was 95 here and it never got above 200 degrees with the AC on. On the highway cursing at 75 it held at 180 with the AC on.
What size and how many rows you running in your dodge?? Bolt right in, shroud fit. Thnx!!
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: Dabee]
#718501
06/09/10 08:55 AM
06/09/10 08:55 AM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822 Colorado
denfireguy
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822
Colorado
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Quote:
On the highway cursing at 75 it held at 180 with the AC on.
Its the cursing at 120 that real road rage occurs. Could not help chuckliing at your, I am sure, inadvertent mispelling. Craig
2014 Ram 1500 Laramie, 73 Cuda Previous mopars: 62 Valiant, 65 Fury III, 68 Fury III, 72 Satellite, 74 Satellite, 89 Acclaim, 98 Caravan, 2003 Durango Only previous Non-Mopar: Schwinn Tornado
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: Dabee]
#718504
06/09/10 09:31 PM
06/09/10 09:31 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,679 Mansfield,Ohio
moparrulzzz
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,679
Mansfield,Ohio
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Quote:
It is a 3 row 26 inch and it bolted right in. The only thing I don’t like was the cheapo nylon/plastic drain.
Do you mean the petcock? The ad I read said they were OEM Brass
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: moparrulzzz]
#718506
06/12/10 07:49 AM
06/12/10 07:49 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 316 Coolville, Ohio
Lew
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 316
Coolville, Ohio
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Quote:
Quote:
It is a 3 row 26 inch and it bolted right in. The only thing I don’t like was the cheapo nylon/plastic drain.
Do you mean the petcock? The ad I read said they were OEM Brass
Mine came with brass.
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: HealthServices]
#718510
06/17/10 12:40 AM
06/17/10 12:40 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 372 Kings Beach, CA
tahoechallenge
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 372
Kings Beach, CA
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"I just received a Champion Radiator for my 70 Challenger. After reading the reviews on here I was expecting something nice. The one I received is a real piece of junk! The welding and fit up are lousy. The bottom tank is welded on crooked. When I sat the radiator in place the bracket holes are off about 3/8 of an inch. The tank hits the radiator guard before the holes will line up. The add on ebay said that they would replace or refund any radiator that does not fit correctly. Hopefully they can find me a good one." Update: Called the guy Monday morning and explained the problem. He said he would have a new one sent. Today the new one arrived. Unpacked it and it looked much nicer! Unfortunately when I did a test fit I discovered it has a one inch twist to it. Will see what he has to say tomorrow.
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: tahoechallenge]
#718511
06/17/10 06:15 AM
06/17/10 06:15 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 357 The Garden State
LimelightCuda
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 357
The Garden State
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Thanks for starting this thread. I was just about to ask the same question about Champion radiators.
If it were a smaller price difference between Champion and Be Cool or Wizard of cooling I would just get the more expensive radiator, but there is such a major price difference that I'm thinking I just might try the Champion radiator.
tahoechallenge please keep us posted as I need a 22" for my Barracuda.
Phil
1970 Barracuda Gran Coupe 1970 A66 Challenger Convertible
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: enelson]
#718514
06/21/10 11:34 PM
06/21/10 11:34 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 150 Illinois
fishy68
member
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member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 150
Illinois
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I just wasted 1/2 a day trying to fit my new supposed "bolt-in" Champion 22" radiator in my 68 Cuda. It is twisted so when you get 3 bolts aligned the bracket for the 4th is 1/4-3/8" away from the core support and the core support is perfectly straight. The stock fan shroud is supposed to fit. Well it doesn't. Not even close. The Champion radiator core is over and inch shorter than the stock radiator so the shroud overlaps the radiator hoses and trans. cooler lines. To top it off the mounting holes don't line up correctly and there is barely enough metal to redrill the upper holes. Plus I'd have to use a fender washer on the drivers side lower bolt to catch enough of the radiator to make it hold and then it wouldn't be a good tight fit. I just e-mailed the seller and will see what comes of it.
68 Cuda 408/904/8-3/4 02 Dakota 4.7 auto
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: fishy68]
#718515
06/21/10 11:36 PM
06/21/10 11:36 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 150 Illinois
fishy68
member
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member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 150
Illinois
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Pic from above showing how it's twisted.
Last edited by fishy68; 06/21/10 11:37 PM.
68 Cuda 408/904/8-3/4 02 Dakota 4.7 auto
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: rook440]
#718517
06/22/10 06:44 PM
06/22/10 06:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,894 Florida
Locomotion
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,894
Florida
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Quote:
I just sent one back to them last week and got my money back ,,,the exact same thing the radiator was twisted about 3/4 of an inch ....looks like they just sent you my old one to be honest !!!!!!at least they will give your money back ,even tho I lost shipping one way ....31 dollars live and learn ........
Ok, fishy68 had a twisted 22" A-body application. What was your application?
I have an A-body 3-row 26" ordered and wondering if there might be a pattern of certain sizes/applicatons or just random issues.
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: Hemi_Ram]
#718523
06/24/10 08:52 PM
06/24/10 08:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,073 Benton, IL.
DaveRS23
Special needs idiot
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Special needs idiot
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,073
Benton, IL.
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I talked to Champion today. They are out of several of the more popular sizes. They expect some kind of double shipment next Tuesday. And plan to start shipping them next Wed or Thur. FYI
Master, again and still
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: fishy68]
#718524
06/25/10 08:09 PM
06/25/10 08:09 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 316 Coolville, Ohio
Lew
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 316
Coolville, Ohio
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Quote:
I just wasted 1/2 a day trying to fit my new supposed "bolt-in" Champion 22" radiator in my 68 Cuda. It is twisted so when you get 3 bolts aligned the bracket for the 4th is 1/4-3/8" away from the core support and the core support is perfectly straight. The stock fan shroud is supposed to fit. Well it doesn't. Not even close. The Champion radiator core is over and inch shorter than the stock radiator so the shroud overlaps the radiator hoses and trans. cooler lines. To top it off the mounting holes don't line up correctly and there is barely enough metal to redrill the upper holes. Plus I'd have to use a fender washer on the drivers side lower bolt to catch enough of the radiator to make it hold and then it wouldn't be a good tight fit. I just e-mailed the seller and will see what comes of it.
The one you are showing looks like the one for a dart, and your shroud dose not look like mine, which is a 69 340 Cuda, it fit great with no probs. sorry your not pleased, i think you have the wrong rad. I have part # cc1635.
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: Lew]
#718525
06/25/10 10:21 PM
06/25/10 10:21 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 150 Illinois
fishy68
member
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member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 150
Illinois
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The one you are showing looks like the one for a dart, and your shroud dose not look like mine, which is a 69 340 Cuda, it fit great with no probs. sorry your not pleased, i think you have the wrong rad. I have part # cc1635.
I didn't mention it but my Cuda has been switched over to the 70 and up style cooling package which has the inlet and outlet swapped from side to side. Your correct in that the new radiator is for a Dart. I ordered it for a 72 Dart to be exact because that's what the radiator that was in my car was out of and fit perfectly and the shroud bolted up to it correctly. The new radiator was supposed to be just like a 72 Dart V8 radiator but is made too short. The supplier I got it from told me (after he talked to Champion) that they had some problems with some A-body radiators being too tall so they started making them 2" shorter. He's trying to find an early one that's taller. If this one were 2" taller and straight it would work perfect. If it were a case where I screwed up and ordered the wrong radiator I would have just bitten the bullet.
BTW: The fellow I bought mine from seems like a straight shooter and trying to remedy the problem.
68 Cuda 408/904/8-3/4 02 Dakota 4.7 auto
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: moparjo68]
#718526
06/25/10 10:34 PM
06/25/10 10:34 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 589 Waynesboro, PA
cuda_tim
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 589
Waynesboro, PA
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Ok, I put a radiator in my truck from "www.radiator123.com"... It was an exact fit. And very inexpensive. I probably wouldn't buy it, if I had a show car... But it was perfect in terms of "keeping the truck cool"! Check it out, especially if you just have a "cruiser". My ... Tim...
"Robots building robots.... now that's just stupid!" - Will Smith in the movie "I, Robot".
'71 Demon (340/727)/'69 Charger (383/727)/'65 Barracuda (273-2V/904)/'66 Coronet (340/727)/'86 Dodge Aries (2.5L)/'78 Dodge Aspen (318-2V/904)
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: Lew]
#718530
07/11/10 09:27 PM
07/11/10 09:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,073 Benton, IL.
DaveRS23
Special needs idiot
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Special needs idiot
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,073
Benton, IL.
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I just got a 375 last week and it was twisted. But not real bad and given the mods I will have to do to get the 26" radiator into an A body, I can deal with it. I don't think most guys would have used it, though.
Master, again and still
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: abomb]
#718533
07/12/10 06:53 PM
07/12/10 06:53 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,058 Escondido, California
JonGottaDemonDad
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,058
Escondido, California
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abomb, You can easily return the radiator to Champion Cooling for your money back within 60 days. Have you tried to contact the distributor directly? This is the contact info I found on ebay. If you have any questions you can call us at 209-652-4059 or email at performancecooling@sbcglobal.net with your question include your number if you like call back. Let me know how you make out. I will call them for you if you cannot get anywhere. Craig
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: JonGottaDemonDad]
#718534
07/12/10 07:02 PM
07/12/10 07:02 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19 Sonora, CA
TA6pack
member
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member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19
Sonora, CA
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wow Im just gonna give you my 2 cents here since i do know the guys there. you call Rick,(hes the owner if i remember) at 714-432-1266. They are out of SO CAL and are a good place to deal with has been my experience. I had one bad one out of my dealings and it had a twist in it, but they let me return it and got me a new one right out. I sell for them just by word of mouth, nothing special. But I was so impressed with the service i got and the product was awesome , that i called and got hold of Rick and he and I kinda hit it off and walla. So tell him Brett in Sonora, CA(from Pro Street) told you to call and gave you the #, and I aint saying were best friends, but i think he will remember me and take care of ya man. I hope this helps. Ive run 3 different apps of thier radiators in a cuda,(BB car), a 69 camaro(LS engine), and a 72 chevy 4x4 with an injected engine and all are awesome!! So for the price they are just as good or better than a similar griffin I run in my other camaro. Thanks, Brett
Brett Hankins
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: moparrulzzz]
#718541
12/04/13 04:07 AM
12/04/13 04:07 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,589 Sacramento, CA
cal_gecko
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,589
Sacramento, CA
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Quote:
Well with all that I have read here I am going to recore my OEM 22 inch. I don't think I will fool with these!!!!
Has the quality of these radiators improved since this thread was going on? I'm considering whether to have my 26" Mopar radiator boiled out or should I go with an aluminum radiator? Lots of complaints about the Champions being twisted though.
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: moparrulzzz]
#718543
12/04/13 12:51 PM
12/04/13 12:51 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
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I bought one off of eBay for $189 to my door. It was a 2 core for my 65 dart 318 & was touted as a direct fit. I did have to redrill 1 mounting hole in the drivers side flat side flange. It cools well tho a 318 DD does not challenge its' cooling abilities. No leaks. No bottom integral trans cooler but I use a seperate cooler
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: DaveRS23]
#718544
12/04/13 06:27 PM
12/04/13 06:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,938 Spokane Valley, WA
Big Bad Bee
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,938
Spokane Valley, WA
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I bought a 26" 3 core over he summer. I test fit it just to see if it would line up and it did so. I think for the dollar it's a good product. It just really bothers me that the finish quality is so poor. I've built assembly line products and worked in the packaging equipment industry. 90% of the ugly appearance of a champion radiator can be completely avoided by better handling of the raw materials during transfer, storing, machining, welding, handling and packaging. Their production practices are sloppy and would only require better planning and training on the part of their production managers and possibly some improvement of their work and storage surfaces. Mine will require a half days work to straighten fins, clean it up and polish the tank to make it presentable. Not terrible considering the price but totally avoidable so there's my rant. Of course if they took my word for it and put in the effort to make their product prittier, they would want more money, so maybe I should be happy with the ugly duck that is the Champion radiator.
I’m listening.
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: StrkrDart69]
#718546
12/06/13 11:19 AM
12/06/13 11:19 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,270 Missouri
MY340
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,270
Missouri
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I bought and installed an Ebay 2 core 22" Champion/American Eagle radiator in my 70 Duster 360 and all I had to do was widen the holes/slots for a couple of mounting bolts to fit. For $159 delivered I was more than happy and the motor ran much cooler with no need for a fan shroud.
1970 FE5 Duster 360/904/3.91's SOLD
1973 TB3 SpaceDuster 340/4spd/4.10's SOLD
Moparless for now but when the opportunity is right I'll have another one.
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: MY340]
#718547
12/06/13 11:38 AM
12/06/13 11:38 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,413 Newark,Ohio
kissmyaspen
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,413
Newark,Ohio
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Anyone ever paint one black to make it blend in more like a stock one? been looking at one for my 68 Road Runner.
79 Dodge Aspen 12.265 at 109.75 MPH
67 Satellite NSS/E 11.83 @ 110
1968 Plymouth Road Runner 472 Hemi
3 time MOPAR NATIONALS CHAMP '03 FWD and '06 & '09 Street. '07, '10, '12 Mopar Nats runner-up Street.
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: cal_gecko]
#718549
02/12/14 06:25 PM
02/12/14 06:25 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,467 So Cal
autoxcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,467
So Cal
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Quote:
Quote:
Well with all that I have read here I am going to recore my OEM 22 inch. I don't think I will fool with these!!!!
Has the quality of these radiators improved since this thread was going on? I'm considering whether to have my 26" Mopar radiator boiled out or should I go with an aluminum radiator? Lots of complaints about the Champions being twisted though.
Do you currently have a fan shroud with your current original type radiator?
If so, it will not fit the Champion.
If you have to pay someone to make you a good fitting shroud for the Champion, there went of the $$$ savings of buying a Champion.
A Champion without a shroud will cool no better than a properly working equivalent brass with shroud. But the Champion will weigh a little less.
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: skicker]
#718551
02/12/14 10:32 PM
02/12/14 10:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482 Lake Orion, MI
goldduster318
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482
Lake Orion, MI
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Have a 26" 3-row in my Duster with V6 Contour fans on it. The fans only have to cycle on and off to the low speed only at idle to keep my engine cool on a 90+ degree day. It was also straight and the quality is pretty good. Very happy.
Last edited by goldduster318; 02/12/14 10:32 PM.
'70 Duster 470hp 340/T56 Magnum/8 3/4 3.23 Sure-Grip
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: goldduster318]
#718552
02/13/14 12:27 AM
02/13/14 12:27 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,101 cincinnati ohio
mcat4321
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,101
cincinnati ohio
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Quote:
Have a 26" 3-row in my Duster with V6 Contour fans on it. The fans only have to cycle on and off to the low speed only at idle to keep my engine cool on a 90+ degree day. It was also straight and the quality is pretty good. Very happy.
what fan assembly is that
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Re: Champion Radiators any good???
[Re: kissmyaspen]
#718553
02/13/14 12:38 AM
02/13/14 12:38 AM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,099 Rogue River, OR
Jeremiah
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master
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,099
Rogue River, OR
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Quote:
Anyone ever paint one black to make it blend in more like a stock one? been looking at one for my 68 Road Runner.
Yes, and I drove the hell out of that car all over the Western US.
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