Champion radiator Thoughts?

[demian5]

So as I'm replacing motor and trans, of course I find the copper and brass radiator starting to leak (who knows how old it is).

I have a non AC truck with a 350/350 combo, should be at about 350 HP.

I see the 2-row champions good for up to 500HP, but was going to go with the 3 row just because.

I could repair the brass and copper one (4-row) but that could be $400 as opposed to the $250 for the champion.

Has anyone had good or bad luck with them? Fitment issues? Trans cooler line fitting problems?

It also looks like the lower hose connection is for an AC truck and that is all they sell (as with the coolant return line in the tank for AC trucks).

Thanks in advance!

[notsolo]

I bought the CC 369, 3 row...good fit needs rubber bumpers for 4 row. I cut the 1's I had,
left a space in the middle. I have not run it yet, don't forsee any problems.

[dfwright]

I've been running the cc 369 for a couple of years now, it's been a good radiator

[rockyrivermark]

Originally Posted by dfwright

I've been running the cc 369 for a couple of years now, it's been a good radiator

Yep. Me too.
2 years with mine. Fit well. Slight adjustment for top hold down bracket.
Cools well!
Mark

[siggyfreud]

I'm running a Champion 3 row with their dual fan setup on a 69' El Camino with a 396. Only been running a few hundred miles, but so far so good. Fit was good, welds look good, fans work great so far.

For my build I'll be going with RnD to support local, but spending someone else's money, who is on a tighter budget, I would go with Champion again.

[Roostre]

I put one in my 67 c20. I don't remember now if it was 2 or 3 row. I like it, it fit just fine and keeps by stock 327 plenty cool. I have a 4 speed, so I can't comment on the trans line fitment.

[weq92f]

.
I purchased a 3 row cc369 w/dual 14" fans from championcooling/leadfootracing.

Ended up not using the radiator due to the fact that I could not use the tranny cooler connections with my existing lines. Was unable to resolve the issue with champion or leadfoot. Sold it to a board member for 100 bucks.

The fan shroud and dual fans however fit directly onto my stock 4 row BBC radiator and are working great!

Hth,

-klb

[siggyfreud]

Trans lines for my El camino project did line up well and were able to connect without much issue. Sounds like it can be hit or miss in that regard potentially.

[leddzepp]

I have a Champion in two of my three trucks. When the radiator takes a crap in the third truck you can bet I’m using another Champion. Fits well, does it’s job even in triple digit heat with the AC running constantly.

[Sheepdip]

I now own 3 Champions and all fit/hooked up as advertised and still going strong with no issues. My latest was a 4 row in my avatar pic. I bought the 1000 H.P. version from Leadfoot Racing simply because it's a work truck with A/C and I want plenty of cooling reserve. Good people to deal with.

I recommend the whole radiator/fan pkg as a kit.. less the thermostatic fan switch and relay. I have found that almost all of these therm. control switch's supply way too low of a on/off temp range.

I have found that a on at 210 off at 185 works best for my application and those temps will be approximate as advertised. This along with a relay can be purchased on Amazon, Speedway, Jegs etc. much cheaper.

Important to use the temp sender as a ground to trigger your relay...not ground the fan/fans or it will fail sooner than later because of the fans amp draw. It's also important (to me anyway) to put a fan override toggle in the cab because of slow traffic etc on a hot day.
Just my 2 cents worth

[k2rm]

How loud are the electric fans in the combination kit?

[Redneck Rydes]

Champion here also, good rad and value,

[Sheepdip]

Originally Posted by k2rm

How loud are the electric fans in the combination kit?

I ordered the fan upgrades so mine move more cfm's and are loud, but again it's a work truck so I don't dwell on the fan noise. Can't speak for the lower cfm fans.

[demian5]

Good info! You think a 2-row is sufficient in so cal? It seems the 4 row causes fitment issues, but the 3 row is hit and miss.

Anyone painted it black to look kinda stock?

[dave`12]

I had the same questions. Here is a link to my thread, lots of good info from the guys here:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=710880

I ended up buying a 4 core champion. I paired it with a dual electric fan setup from Summit. I live in Miami and have been stuck in the summer in bumper to bumper with the a/c on and it never got the least bit hot.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Champion-Cool...MC369/10002/-1

Here is a pic. Some MINOR fabrication to get it to fit. After this pic, I painted the brackets and cut off the top of the black mounts and the bolt ends. Looks clean now.

[57Suburb]

If you want a direct drop in (no monkeying with upper mounts) aluminum radiator, you might look into one of these. Champion makes a good radiator, as I've owned and used a couple. But the factory fit from speedcooling is pretty appealing. I've ordered one for my 67.

https://www.speedcooling.com/1967_19..._Radiator.html

[tj1970cst]

I have a champion in our 2006 wrangler. It has been great. Works alot better than the factory radiator getting rid of heat.

Very minor fitement issues. Like using longer bolts, extra washers and cutting the corner off the mounting bracket so it would fit.

I was suspect of it with the cheap price, but I am pleased.

[demian5]

Originally Posted by 57Suburb

If you want a direct drop in (no monkeying with upper mounts) aluminum radiator, you might look into one of these. Champion makes a good radiator, as I've owned and used a couple. But the factory fit from speedcooling is pretty appealing. I've ordered one for my 67.

https://www.speedcooling.com/1967_19..._Radiator.html

I have seen this one as well. I liked the tanks being stock style.

Where did you order from? I saw on Amazon for $200 - its from autoradiator KKS369 (thst the one right?)

Maybe someone else has used them?