Radiator Brands??

[farmboy12357]

Okay, so I really need a new radiator for the ol' girl but I don't want to pay through the nose!  So I was wondering what brands you guys have had good luck with as far as aluminum radiators.

[toocheaptosmoke]

I've had two of the Champion brand rads, for the price have been really impressed with the quality and function so far.  Fitment may have needed a little tweaking.

[jaak]

I've had two of the Champion brand rads, for the price have been really impressed with the quality and function so far.  Fitment may have needed a little tweaking.

I bought a Champion Radiator too, and for the price, I am happy with it. A couple of minor issues with fitment like toocheaptosmoke said.

1. There is a little bump/rib on the core support (upper right corner IIRC) that keeps the radiator from sitting flush. I have seen some threads where they simply cut out this little portion of the core support. I already had my car painted and didn't want to cut it, so I simply used a 3/16 or 1/4 inch shim between the radiator and core support on all 4 mounting bolts. (see a couple of pics below from MoparStuart's thread he cut the rib out I was talking about. BTW he is a distributor for them and sell's them at a good price.)

2. The 'flange' that the fan shroud mounts to, has the holes drilled where you would put on the 'u' clips for the bolts for the shroud. Well that flange is a little too thick to install the clips, so I simply tapped those drilled holes with a 5/16th tap, bought 4- 5/16 bolts and bolted the shroud directly to the radiator. (Original bolts where 1/4", but the slightly larger 5/16th will work.)

3. Last mod I did, just for personal preference... When I got the radiator installed, I didn't liked the way the bright aluminum showed through the grille, so I pulled it back out, scuffed it up and spray painted it satin black using spray can engine paint. Turned out great and still looks good after 2 years of use.

Jason

[4cruzin]

Big block or small block?   

[bill440rt]

Griffin.
Dropped right in like stock, fit like factory and you can even mount a stock shroud on it if you wanted to.

[farmboy12357]

I guess I could have mentioned it was a Big Block  I looked at champion and thought they were pretty well priced but I figured they weren't a perfect fit. I also looked at Griffin and Wizard radiators but I can't get myself to spend 700+ dollars on one of them because of all the money I've got into her right now. I was looking for one in the middle of Champion and Wizard but I don't know...

[VegasCharger]

I bought a Champion Radiator too, and for the price, I am happy with it. A couple of minor issues with fitment like toocheaptosmoke said.

1. There is a little bump/rib on the core support (upper right corner IIRC) that keeps the radiator from sitting flush. I have seen some threads where they simply cut out this little portion of the core support. I already had my car painted and didn't want to cut it, so I simply used a 3/16 or 1/4 inch shim between the radiator and core support on all 4 mounting bolts. (see a couple of pics below from MoparStuart's thread he cut the rib out I was talking about. BTW he is a distributor for them and sell's them at a good price.)

2. The 'flange' that the fan shroud mounts to, has the holes drilled where you would put on the 'u' clips for the bolts for the shroud. Well that flange is a little too thick to install the clips, so I simply tapped those drilled holes with a 5/16th tap, bought 4- 5/16 bolts and bolted the shroud directly to the radiator. (Original bolts where 1/4", but the slightly larger 5/16th will work.)

3. Last mod I did, just for personal preference... When I got the radiator installed, I didn't liked the way the bright aluminum showed through the grille, so I pulled it back out, scuffed it up and spray painted it satin black using spray can engine paint. Turned out great and still looks good after 2 years of use.

Jason

Not to hijack but did this move interfere with any clearance issues regarding the fan?
Also can you run this rad w/o using an overflow?

Thanks and sorry if my hijack is outta line.  

[myk]

Read through this thread:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,107619.0.html

I'm definitely interested in the dual-row radiator that '383 Wing is using...

[RIDELIKEHELL]

I have a Wizard with the shroud...runs very cool!

[RECHRGD]

Read through this thread:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,107619.0.html

I'm definitely interested in the dual-row radiator that '383 Wing is using...

Yea, I've got the ECP big block radiator sitting in my shop as we speak.  It looks to be a quality piece and will accept a stock shroud.  I cannot report on how well it cools until I install it and go cruising in traffic on a hot day....

[RiverRaider]

Hello,

ECP Engineered Cooling Products at speedcooling.com is the way to go.  I have one in my 70 R/T.
I have not had any problems driving around on even the hottest days.  It runs much cooler than with the stock radiator. 
I used long set screws in the existing holes in the radiator to make studs for the shroud before I put the radiator in. 
The radiator bolted right in and the studs ensure you don't damage the radiator when attaching the shroud. I used
the shroud that was on my 70. (not sure if other shrouds would work) I also bought a cheap black catch can from
Summit for less that 20 bucks.  I installed it at an angle on the drivers side of the radiator support.  On a 70 the
existing holes on the radiator support were used that is why it had to be at an angle.  Aside from being a very
good radiator you can buy two ECP radiators for less than what some other brands charge for one.  You can idle
through a long slow drive through on a hot day with no worries.

RiverRaider

[RECHRGD]

Hello,

ECP Engineered Cooling Products at speedcooling.com is the way to go.  I have one in my 70 R/T.
I have not had any problems driving around on even the hottest days.  It runs much cooler than with the stock radiator. 
I used long set screws in the existing holes in the radiator to make studs for the shroud before I put the radiator in. 
The radiator bolted right in and the studs ensure you don't damage the radiator when attaching the shroud. I used
the shroud that was on my 70. (not sure if other shrouds would work) I also bought a cheap black catch can from
Summit for less that 20 bucks.  I installed it at an angle on the drivers side of the radiator support.  On a 70 the
existing holes on the radiator support were used that is why it had to be at an angle.  Aside from being a very
good radiator you can buy two ECP radiators for less than what some other brands charge for one.  You can idle
through a long slow drive through on a hot day with no worries.

RiverRaider

Good to know, thanks.  It would be nice if I could do away with my auxiliary electric pusher fan.

[myk]

Thanks for the reports on the ECP 'rads, guys; I think the $600-$800 price tags on the "other" brands are just ridiculous...

[jaak]

I bought a Champion Radiator too, and for the price, I am happy with it. A couple of minor issues with fitment like toocheaptosmoke said.

1. There is a little bump/rib on the core support (upper right corner IIRC) that keeps the radiator from sitting flush. I have seen some threads where they simply cut out this little portion of the core support. I already had my car painted and didn't want to cut it, so I simply used a 3/16 or 1/4 inch shim between the radiator and core support on all 4 mounting bolts. (see a couple of pics below from MoparStuart's thread he cut the rib out I was talking about. BTW he is a distributor for them and sell's them at a good price.)

2. The 'flange' that the fan shroud mounts to, has the holes drilled where you would put on the 'u' clips for the bolts for the shroud. Well that flange is a little too thick to install the clips, so I simply tapped those drilled holes with a 5/16th tap, bought 4- 5/16 bolts and bolted the shroud directly to the radiator. (Original bolts where 1/4", but the slightly larger 5/16th will work.)

3. Last mod I did, just for personal preference... When I got the radiator installed, I didn't liked the way the bright aluminum showed through the grille, so I pulled it back out, scuffed it up and spray painted it satin black using spray can engine paint. Turned out great and still looks good after 2 years of use.

Jason

Not to hijack but did this move interfere with any clearance issues regarding the fan?
Also can you run this rad w/o using an overflow?

Thanks and sorry if my hijack is outta line.  

No clearance issues with the fan. I don't have an overflow installed in my car.

Jason

[RuNvS69]

BeCool Direct Fit-- worth EVERY single penny!

American Made. High Quality. Direct Fit. Easy Install. 

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/bci-82260/overview/make/dodge/model/charger/year/1970

[myk]

$1500?  My life isn't even worth that much-PASS...

[garner7555]

I can't remember the brand (it's been years ago) but I did a lot of measuring and ordered a universal fit from summit. Fit great!  Mounted using some of the original bolts. Got it cheap. I will try to dig out a part number. I love it. Aluminum is only way to go.

[bill440rt]

$1500?  My life isn't even worth that much-PASS...

Did you bother to read to see what else is included, or did you just look at the price?
It also comes with a dual electric fan setup, billet overflow bottle, billet cap, relays, sending unit, harnesses, etc.
Purchased separately that stuff can add up pretty quick.

I think at the time of purchase several years ago my Griffin was around $550 or so?
At the time the manufacturer choices were slim. I have no regrets whatsoever. It's a quality piece. At 105* temps in the middle of summer with the A/C cranking the car stayed cool.

[myk]

$1500?  My life isn't even worth that much-PASS...

Did you bother to read to see what else is included, or did you just look at the price?
It also comes with a dual electric fan setup, billet overflow bottle, billet cap, relays, sending unit, harnesses, etc.
Purchased separately that stuff can add up pretty quick.

I think at the time of purchase several years ago my Griffin was around $550 or so?
At the time the manufacturer choices were slim. I have no regrets whatsoever. It's a quality piece. At 105* temps in the middle of summer with the A/C cranking the car stayed cool.

I see what's included in that price, but I still say it can be done for the $600-$800 price point that I was already moaning about earlier in the thread.  Add 383Wing's $200 radiator into the equation and the price drops even further.  I'm not saying those more expensive units aren't nice and shouldn't be purchased if a buyer can afford it, but I'm speaking from the perspective of a peasant... 

[RIDELIKEHELL]

My WIZARD was $500-Rad & $150 for the shroud but after exchange & taxes close to $800

[bill440rt]

This is the fan setup I'm using, price was of course cheaper 5 years ago.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FLX-410/

With the rad it was probably in the $800 range.
Myk, I'm not exactly rollin' in dough, either. 

[RuNvS69]

I'm not either-  but like bill said (perfectly btw!) you get EVERYTHING for the $1,500. 

The radiator separately I believe is like $600ish??  But every piece of the kit was extremely high quality. The fitment, the welds, the finish, the wiring, the fans, the overflow tank, the fittings, etc.  When I pop the hood at shows I can hear people talk about it being a "BeCool" setup and being impressed as well.


So $350+ for a Chinese eBay Champion that we have all seen is a complete crapshoot on or $600ish for an American-made BeCool where you don't have to worry about it, ever?       

[toocheaptosmoke]

I payed 169.95 shipped for my champion radiator, I like living on the edge.   

[PlainfieldCharger]

My WIZARD was $500-Rad & $150 for the shroud but after exchange & taxes close to $800

That's one nice looking setup 

[farmboy12357]

I was looking at the engineered cooling product radiators and it doesn't show one for a 68' charger? Will another on fit?