Champion radiator questions

[Root2812]

I wanted to pick all your brains before I pull the trigger. My truck is a 1950 with a 5.3 LS engine. I am pretty sold on the Champion 2 row radiator since I have seen good results on this forum. Before I buy I wanted to ask all of you who have them some questions.

First I have found two vendors (including straight from champion) where I can get it. Buying from Champion at Championcooling.com is more expensive than buying at ChampionRadiators.com. Right away I think maybe the cheaper one is the way to go if I go with just the radiator but what about fan and shroud. So here are the two links.

http://www.championradiators.com/Che...roud-1947-1954

https://shop.championcooling.com/194...Truck-SKU-5100

Did any of you guy buy from these sites?

The price difference on just the radiator is only like $30 but when you factor in the fan and shroud it gets to around $120. I can't figure out if one is selling a cheaper shroud and fan or not. Any one know what you're getting from the first link? I think champion sells spal fans but I am not sure either.

Is a shroud even worth it on a stock 5.3L?

My last question for all of you champion users is how was mounting? does it just bolt in or do you use rubber isolaters or something?

Thanks

[mongocanfly]

im fixing to buy one from champ rad.in the near future for my IH build
im not 100% sure theyre the same company.. theyre both in cal. though
champion radiator has one to fit my truck....
champion cooling does not...

[NorCalGal]

This is what I found
ChampionRadiators.com is owned and operated by Ledfoot Racing, an authorized distributor for Champion Cooling Systems and American Eagle Radiators.

[mongocanfly]

I saw on the mailing address for champ rad that ledfoot was included

[paintman]

Check out my build thread starting at post#279 I had some issues with Champion Radiator.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...558819&page=12

[jweb]

It’s a little more money but I used a Superior radiator. They can make them an last swap with or without steam ports.
http://www.wwwsuperiorradiator.com/1...60_chevy_truck

[ndeep]

i to went with the champion radiator from champion. for about 100.00 extra they moved the upper hose locaton to the left side and added a steam port. i am running a ls3 and they suggested the 3 row, i went with there shroud but they said if i wanted a nice fan to go with one of the main manufacturers of high performance fans.lifetime warranty except i will have to pay for the custom work. total bill i think was about 510.00 delivered, it looks good

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by NorCalGal

This is what I found
ChampionRadiators.com is owned and operated by Ledfoot Racing, an authorized distributor for Champion Cooling Systems and American Eagle Radiators.

So atleast the radiator is the same. I might have to call and ask them about the shroud and fan.

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by ndeep

i to went with the champion radiator from champion. for about 100.00 extra they moved the upper hose locaton to the left side and added a steam port. i am running a ls3 and they suggested the 3 row, i went with there shroud but they said if i wanted a nice fan to go with one of the main manufacturers of high performance fans.lifetime warranty except i will have to pay for the custom work. total bill i think was about 510.00 delivered, it looks good

I haven't decided what to do with the steam line yet but I was thinking of a fitting inline of the upper radiator hose. The warrenty you speak of might be worth spending the extra to get it right from them.

[mongocanfly]

if your buying a new radiator I would just add the steam port to it...much nicer setup than adding it in the hose or into the water pump...

[roger55]

I have an American Eagle in my '57 pickup. It has a 305 TPI engine and Vintage Air A/C. I had cooling issues when I used a shroud mounted single 16" fan. However, when I modified the shroud and went to dual 11" high flow Spal fans, it solved the issues.

[Root2812]

Lots of great info guys. Is anyone running one without a shroud? Or is shroud a must?

Also, I'm not sure if I need to pay to relocate the filler. Is the size and locations of outlets close enough to the stock radiator that I could use my original radiator for mock up?

[roger55]

Originally Posted by Root2812

Lots of great info guys. Is anyone running one without a shroud? Or is shroud a must?

Also, I'm not sure if I need to pay to relocate the filler. Is the size and locations of outlets close enough to the stock radiator that I could use my original radiator for mock up?

I don't think it's a good to run an electric fan without a shroud. When it's done, it mounts directly to the core with nylon ties. I think this is hard on the core and shortens it's life. It's also going to cool less efficiently when stopped or at low speeds because it doesn't draw air through the entire core. That can actually be an advantage at higher speeds and why you see some people put flaps on the shrouds to allow air to flow with positive pressure from the front. This is what I did on my shroud that I showed photos of.

[Root2812]

Anyone know if the size is similar to the original 1950 radiator? Can I use the original for mockup and have it be close enough so I can make sure to order the right radiator mods?