I totally understand not having $400-600 to spend on a radiator. I didn't either and that's why I went with the Champion thinking it would be a direct bolt in like they advertised and at a cheaper price. After the Champion didn't work out I searched Summit's website and found a universal 26" Griffin for less than $200. Had to have aluminum mounting brackets welded on it but that was a piece of cake since I have a welding shop right down the street. The cost was $40 counting the aluminum stock. The core was thin enough that my existing thermal fan worked, just had to buy the universal fan shroud. In the end I have a nice STRAIGHT radiator that cools great for about $270 total, counting shipping and price to have the brackets welded on. Admittedly it's not a direct bolt in, but it seems most everyone I've read that used a Champion had to do some mods anyway and your real lucky if you find a factory shroud to fit one so in the end the difference in work it takes to install a Griffin universal is minimal, IMO
72bluandblu posted he got a good 26" Champion which if I'm not mistaken is a B/E/C-body size radiator as I don't remember ever seeing a A-body with a 26" radiator from the factory. In fact the widest opening in an A-body radiator support I've seen was 22-3/4" wide so to use a 26" wide radiator (downflow style) correctly you'll have to open up the radiator support opening otherwise not much air will pass through the outer parts rendering it pretty much useless.
I'd like to point out that it seems most of the problems I've read about Champion radiators concern the A-body size radiator. Not sure why the majority of the problems surround them. Maybe built at a different factory in China???
Here are some pictures of the supposed direct A-body bolt in Champion I received. 1st and last pics show how warped it was.
