Got new Champion aluminum radiator - starting install

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Mopar to ya

Mopar to ya

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I thought I would keep going with the updates. As I posted before, I had heard both good and bad things about Champion Radiators. I talked (emailed) with FABO member Challengergary and based upon his excellent customer service, I ordered a 3 core radiator and dual electric fan with shroud. The radiator arrived Friday and the fans are due to arrive Monday. I was bored this evening and went out in 100 degree heat and started the install. Here is what I have noted. The radiator is freakin' beautiful. Good welds, no marks or dents. Very nice. Gary said it was the best fit for my car. It is not a direct fit, as most aluminum radiators are not, but should work well. I got the old one out and transferred over the tranny line fittings. I test fit the radiator and it is soooooo close to the original mounting holes, but not quite. It's a half an inch taller. Oh well, I have to drill a couple new holes. I think I will lay a piece of battery mat under it for cushioning. I bought a roll years ago and I can cut it to fit exactly. It will raise it another 1/2 inch, but since I'm drilling anyway, that's no big deal. So far everything is going well. I stopped when the heat started getting to me, and the fans won't be here until tomorrow anyway. More updates tomorrow, but so far I am well pleased.

Radiator fresh out of the box
View attachment Radiator.jpg
View attachment Radiator 1.jpg
View attachment Radiator welds.jpg

Disassembly time
View attachment Radiator removal.jpg
View attachment Radiator removal 1.jpg
View attachment Radiator removal 2.jpg

Set in place
View attachment Radiator set in place.jpg

Hard to tell from the pic, but the mounting hole is a half inch too high.
View attachment Radiator mount too high.jpg
 
What car did you put it in? I also chose to buy a champion from Gary. I have not installed it yet I hope it slides in nice and ez like yours.
 
My 73 Dart Sport. The old 318 never got above 185. The damn 408 runs 210 on a hot day and hotter if it's over 100 outside. Between the aluminum radiator, electric fans and E85 I hope to keep it around 190 degrees or less.
 
Hey, I just bought a 26" 3 core from Gary too! :D

Glad I'm not the only one that had to drill some new holes, I had to move mine down a bit as well. I just thought it was because I put a 26" in radiator in my 22" radiator support.

So far so good, beautiful looking radiator. And priced better than a recore on an original. Not a bad deal at all if you're not trying to look stock.

IMG_0828.jpg


IMG_0829.jpg
 
How much did it cost you; And where did you get it ?????

THANKS ......................... PETE .........................
 
Dodge74 said:
How much did it cost you; And where did you get it ?????

THANKS ......................... PETE .........................
Click to expand...

I bought it from Challengergary here on FABO. I bought the three core aluminum radiator and a dual electric fan with shroud. With shipping it cost me $404 for everything.
 
I bought one from Gary as well. Supposed to be here on Wed. Its the 22in 3 core direct fit for my 70 Dart. We shall see how it turns out. Hoping for the best of course.
 
The fans and shroud arrived today. I had some home landscaping and had to cut the grass as well, so I didn't get too much time put in to installing all the parts. Here is where I am at.
The fan shroud doesn't fit the radiator properly. The holes don't line up. I had to mark and drill new mounting holes in the shroud. Not a big deal. The fans don't come mounted to the shroud, and there aren't even any mounting holes. You have to drill your own. The fans come with a nice male wiring pigtail, but no female pigtail. How am I supposed to plug it in with only one end? Oh, and no instructions at all. I did use my power probe to verify the fans can spin either direction. I'll likely hard wire in one plug of my own instead of having two as they have it. I think I am going to wire in a relay as well.
The fan stuff is not as smooth as I had hoped but there is nothing insurmountable. I should have time tomorrow to finish it all up. I need to take the battery out to gain access so I can drill radiator mounting holes.

Out of the box. Pigtail and no corresponding plug. Nice.
View attachment Fans and shroud 2.jpg
View attachment Fan shroud 1.jpg
View attachment Fan wiring harness.jpg

Shroud drilled and ready to go.
View attachment Fan shroud.jpg

Fans mounted front and back view.
View attachment Fans and shroud.jpg
View attachment Fans and shroud 1.jpg

Set on the radiator. Looking at it makes me wonder how I am going to bolt the shroud to the radiator with the fans installed. And they have to be installed first. Gonna have to think on this one.
View attachment Fans and shroud ready to mount.jpg
View attachment Fans and shroud ready to mount 1.jpg
 
Mopar to ya said:
I thought I would keep going with the updates. As I posted before, I had heard both good and bad things about Champion Radiators. I talked (emailed) with FABO member Challengergary and based upon his excellent customer service, I ordered a 3 core radiator and dual electric fan with shroud. The radiator arrived Friday and the fans are due to arrive Monday. I was bored this evening and went out in 100 degree heat and started the install. Here is what I have noted. The radiator is freakin' beautiful. Good welds, no marks or dents. Very nice. Gary said it was the best fit for my car. It is not a direct fit, as most aluminum radiators are not, but should work well. I got the old one out and transferred over the tranny line fittings. I test fit the radiator and it is soooooo close to the original mounting holes, but not quite. It's a half an inch taller. Oh well, I have to drill a couple new holes. I think I will lay a piece of battery mat under it for cushioning. I bought a roll years ago and I can cut it to fit exactly. It will raise it another 1/2 inch, but since I'm drilling anyway, that's no big deal. So far everything is going well. I stopped when the heat started getting to me, and the fans won't be here until tomorrow anyway. More updates tomorrow, but so far I am well pleased.

Radiator fresh out of the box

Disassembly time

Set in place

Hard to tell from the pic, but the mounting hole is a half inch too high.
Click to expand...

What did you use for hoses? Do you have a bb if so was there a problem with the lower hose and the oil filter ? Thanks
 
How much for the radiator alone?
Are the outlets in the same place as factory, and will the oem hoses fit?
 
..that shroud looks like it will block at least half of the air flow required through the rad.
just a thought.
 
Dartnut said:
How much for the radiator alone?
Are the outlets in the same place as factory, and will the oem hoses fit?
Click to expand...

I had to shorten the top hose about an inch and a half because the radiator is thicker than stock. Otherwise it is the same upper and lower hose I used before. The nipple on the neck for the coolant overflow bottle is on the opposite side, so I had to lengthen the hose for that, but that was no big deal. You tell Gary what inlets and outlets you need, and that is what you will get. Pretty easy install overall. So far, so happy, but I definitely recommend a thermal fan switch rather than a regular on/off switch. The radiator was something like $175 or $195 if I remember right. Get hold oh Challengergary here on FABO and get a quote. He is very helpful.
 
..hopefully it will be fine,what is the total cfm of the 2 electrics
..i've read you will need 3000 cfm but have no experience myself.
 
Has anyone installed a champion in a bb dart? If so what size did you get? I got the 22 for mine and it looks like the lower hose and the oil filter are going to hit. Just wondering if I should buy the 26 inch one if it would fit better any help would be great.
 
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