Anybody used the Champion brand radiator from Classic Ind?
 

I have a Champion in my car for over 4years and at least 30,000 miles. No issues. It was a direct replacement, but I would be a liar if I told you it fits exactly like the original. Given the price it is way acceptable. I would definitely buy another...

out of curiosity which model did you go with number of rows wise? There have been a number of people I have seen lately happy with a large tube two rows rather than 3 or four.

I put the 4 row Champion in my 67. Mounting tabs were pretty close, but required a little massaging to line up with the rad support. Shroud fit ok, but left a gap on the bottom about 3/4" wide. I had to creatively fill this. I used an OER new shroud. Close enough.

With Hayden 2797 clutch and short nose 69 11 bolt pump, I am half way into the shroud. It stays cool, runs on the 180 tstat, even with a/c running in 100+ degree weather. I never thought I'd be able to say that, but I can. I don't let it idle in a drive-thru for 20 minutes in 118 degree heat, tho. That's just dumb. My LS powered GMC won't even hack that insanity.

I liked the Champion so much that I put a 4 row in my 72 Lemans. Fit was much more "drop-in", except for the rubber isolators at the four corners.

I purchased both off Ebay.

I have a 2nd gen, so no bolt holes. it just sits in rubber cushions, much like Squidward's Le Mans. Mine is a 2 row. It runs cool all the time even with the A/C on. It will idle a long time with A/C on a really hot day and stay cool. I also have about a 3/4 inch gap between my fan and shroud. I have been meaning to address that, I just haven't gotten around to it, although summer is coming. I bought it on Epay for like $185.00 shipped to my door. When I bought I figured for the price if lasted a couple years I would be satisfied with that, it was only temporary to begin with. Now its going on five years and still appears to be good and still looks good. This radiator doesn't owe me a thing....

I have the two core in my car. Fit fine. Like mentioned above the lower shroud will not have clips to slide into. I drilled three small holes on the bottom of the radiator bracket and mounted the shroud to it. I have done this on two cars now. Both have two years worth of use and are working great.

The Brass IS correct, but a Aluminum one will never be. I bought a Auto City Classic, and painted black, blends in really good. You will need to fab some tabs to get the shroud mounted. http://www.autocityclassic.com/camar...diator-6769at/

Which Champion radiator did you purchase? 2, 3 or 4 row?

I'd be really interested in you posting the results of your installation once done.
1. Did the fan shroud fit?
2. Does the OEM cap fit?
3. What temps does it run at idle?
4. What mods did you have to make to get the rubber insulators to fit.
5. What motor is in your Firebird? Any performance upgrades to the motor?

radiator
 

I got me one for my 69, 455 aluminum heads. Haven't driven the car yet. Radiator fits fine but not exactly bolt on.

I'm not sure who this question is aimed toward, but in my case...
1. The shroud did fit, no modifications.
2. I use the cap that came with the radiator because the pressure rating was correct and looks close enough to the original for me, but yes the OEM stile cap fits.
3. My car runs about 170-175 unless until fully heat soaked then runs at thermostat temp which in my case is 185.
4. I did not make any mods to the insulators because between the insulators and radiator hoses it stays in place.
5. As far as engine mods: Currently 455 .030 over, currently has ported 6X-4's, RAIV cam, factory RAIII manifolds. (Butler ported EHeads, Doug's headers and Super Victor intake sitting garage waiting for time to install...Should be a game changer). For extra cooling I use the Canton road race oil pan. The extra quart of oil helps a lot as far as cooling. (Ever notice your car runs 5-10 degrees hotter when you are a quart low?) And lastly, in the cooling department, I use the divider plate mod. A side note, I use Dexcool exclusively.

thanks! the 4 row is the biggest they offer. You definitely want 4 row if your motor has any decent performance upgrade. 2 and 3 row versions are generally not enough for most performance Pontiac motors.

So you got 20% off the $289.99 price? And who sent the coupon?

I was aiming my question at the topic starter but we're all reading to gain information. So I think your post if very helpful to readers.

btw, Cold Case has not done our own testing yet but Dexcool can have an adverse affect on aluminum. I don't want to jack this thread, but you may want to do some research on using Dexcool with aluminum just to be safe. Because of the information we've obtained, Cold Case is recommending strictly 'green' antifreeze.

I ordered the Champion CC370, 3 core aluminum. Fit great but no tabs for the bottom of the shroud.

Don't tell anyone, but I just zip tied the bottom... :bolt:

The two core that I ordered has more cooling capacity than the four row. I did a lot of research and found people had better luck with the two core.

Ive seen the same thing in my research. But i dont know that it would apply specifically with champion? most of the things Ive seen say two cores with big tubes 1.175"+ cool better than three and four core. But the two core Champion only have .75" tubes.

I looked at my receipts and I bought mine from Auto City Classic. It has the large two rows.
Here is a link.
http://www.autocityclassic.com/camar...diator-6769at/

Okay cool. That looks identical to the one I had been eyeing on eBay.

I installed the Champion 4 row in my '67 bird & had to "massage" a hole or two, but nothing major. My original plan to use a Mark VIII fan wouldn't clear the water pump so I threw an old Black Magic 15" electric fan/shroud on it. This setup leaves about 3-4 inches on each side unshrouded.
Running down the road it stays around 185* - 190*, but once I get in town & hit 3 or 4 stop lights, it will start creeping up to 210* - 220*. I think this more of a shroud issue so I have an aluminum shroud & 2 12" fans on the way for it.

They say the 4 row will cool up to 600hp & I'm pretty close that so I'll see how well it works this summer in the Florida heat.

The two row you have is completely different configuration than the 2 row that Champion offers. The Auto City Glass unit has 2 1" rows. The Champion has 2 5/8" rows. 2 1" rows cools about 10% better than the champion 4 row. Our Cold Case unit has 2 1 1/4" rows which will cool even better. That doesn't mean everyone needs the biggest radiator. However, it at least gives you a guide to the range of cooling capacities available on the market.

To a lot of people researching aluminum radiator options, it's very confusing at first.

Just wanted to bring this to attention for those that stumble upon this topic.

If after you have run it in the summer out there and find you are even just a little bit uncomfortable with the temp, I'd like you to consider trying our Cold Case unit for comparison. I'd send it out a no charge to you if you report back the results.