Champion radiators - any good?

Thanks Terzmo - I intend running a shroud and a clutch fan.

I have one in my 71 Demon and although I have not had the car on the road yet, I let it idle in the driveway and it seems to cool just fine.

I love the Champs --best value out there even if they are not perfect--My last one had a little " twist" in it but a few washers and away we went COOL as a Cuke!

Just put a 26" 3 row in my 72 Duster. I bought a complete 360 from a guy who was having idleing problems as well as saying it ran hot. I think it may have been an ignition problem but I dropped it in along with the Champion rad and it never goes over 180 without a fan shroud. So I'm very impressed with the cooling. Now the bad... mine came twisted and on recomendation from the seller, I stood on the 2 corners and it did straighten it out. But now that its in the car, it has a slight leak from somewhere in the cooling fins. I'm sending it back for a replacement but it does leak. Overall I'm happy with it, theres always a chance of a defect in anything you buy.

I just got mine last week and it looks great, nice thick construction. I went with a 4 row and the shroud and two 12" fans and all for less than $500 delivered.

I have a 4-row in my Demon. Awesome radiator for the price! Now, if I didn't have a cracked head or blown head gasket I could reap the benefit of it...

I did have to bore out a couple of the holes to get it to fit right, but nothing a Dremel and five minutes couldn't handle. Otherwise, it fits great!

I have no experience with the Champion radiator but from the posts it appears to be good.
I am running an alum. radiator, (2) 1 1/4" tubes , in my street Hemi cuda with no water pump fan. Car stays at 180 degrees while in motion and the electric fan kicks on at 200 degrees when stuck in traffic. Brings it back down to 180 degrees in nothing flat.
Smiths radiator out of Cambridge City, Indiana built mine and he specializes in Mopars. Don't remember the price but he produces great radiators too.

I have a Champion in my '70 Sport Satellite with warm 383 and it's seems to work just fine. Both of the tranny cooler fittings (flare) where smashed flat under the nut that was on the fitting during shipping. This means it was done during construction/storage but I was able to get them round enough not to leak.

I just looked and Summit has a crossflow (18"X22.5" core) for $144. I have one of these in my Demon and it works very well. Construction seems to be a little higher quality (welds anyway). I called Summit and confirmed that they are welded tanks and not epoxy. They don't have petcock or mounting tabs but that's not hard or expensive to take care of.

I just recv'd mine look good i will install it this weekend

Thanks for the replies - I ordered a 3 core - $120 shipping to Australia ain't bad at all.

I'll dredge this thread up and comment when I receive it and check it out.

I think I remember another post with this same question. I have one, it fit well except a small gap around the factory shroud. Easily fixed with some closed cell foam, runs cool and doesn't leak from the top tank like the old stocker. Good radiator for the money.

i have a 22 in my 70 coronet,very happy with it.runs cool.yeah had to open up mounting holes,no big deal.

I just installed a Champion four row radiator and an SRT-8 fan in my 69 Bee.