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Old 04-15-2012, 04:24 PM   #3
Firebirdjones
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Prescott, Arizona
Posts: 2,396
Re: Aluminum radiators.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Psycho71 View Post
I've got a Champion (Ebay special) , both of the ones I have had fitment issues. Both sit just fine in the bottom pads/stirrups. Neither one fit right with the factory top hardware. I ended up creating a bracket for each application. I imagine the more well known makers probably fit better though.
This is one complaint I have about them, they just don't have the raised portion on the tanks for the factory style brackets.

Another issue I have with mine is about a month after install, the tank started leaking at the seam. I had to remove it and reweld it.

I went with a 3 core to cool a 6.0 LS engine swap in my blazer. With dual 4th gen camaro electric fans, it does ok, but it's not what I'd call perfect. When I'm idling on trails with little air flow and the AC blowing, it gets pretty warm, even with both fans full blast.
Biggest issue with them is the tube size. They use tubes of about 1/4-3/8" which is common among cheaper aluminum radiators, not much surface area for cooling (bigger is better). I'll replace it with something else when the time comes.

As for the other brands,,,,

I run a Griffin radiator in 2 other cars and there is simply no comparison. A simple 2 core in my 640 HP chevelle with 1 1/4" tubes and the stock fan setup and I can't get that thing over 175 degrees when it's 110 outside (a/c on or not). Larger tubes and a higher "fin per inch" count equals a much more efficient radiator. Not to mention they mimic the outward appearance of a stock copper radiator, so when painted black no one knows the difference. They mount just like factory with no mods at all. However at $600 a piece, it's up to you.
My opinion.....this is a classic example of getting what you pay for. I'll use nothing but Griffin anymore.
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