Okay, who has installed this radiator from this guys Ebay store? There were a few Fiero feedbacks left so I bet some of our family has it. What did you think? Is it a direct fit? Does it cool well?
I installed the ebay 3 core with my N* conversion in my 88GT.
My stock V6 radiator cooled the N* but had a slow cool down time when the fan came on. With the noted 3 core, it also cooled the N* but it is a much faster cool down time when the fan kicks on.
Fitment was tight. I had to trim the bottom rubber mounts about 1/4 inch or more. The radiator is very tight and does not move in the stock mounts when you bolt it in position. Tolerances are close on the top mounts but are fine.
Quality is good as far as the welding is concerned. I'd say that the cooling fin number count are the same per inch as our stock fiero rads. However, you have the extra thickness.
I'm going to buy another one, especially now that the prices are way down. It does a great job for the money.
[This message has been edited by IXSLR8 (edited 03-11-2009).]
I just got one delivered last week and can say that the radiators look as good in person as it does in the Picture. Maybe even better then I expected. It seems like a very nice piece. Price is lower then the estimate of $200 that was given last year.
History was that someone on here wrote the guy about using his existing alum radiator for a v8 swap. His responce was that it was not good enough but if there was intrest he would design one that could. As far as I know they first became availiable around the holidays. The store was good to do business with and I am very happy with the whole transaction.
I think I may order one soon. My current radiator (the original) does fine at highway speeds and for about half an hour around town but then the temp will begin to creep up. This one looks very good and from the couple of responses so far I think I need one. Thanks, guys for responding. Anyone else?
Hmmmm.... It looks good, and sounds like it works good, and I'll probably buy one if I ever get back to working on the car and he's still selling them...
But why 2 eBay stores, with *slightly* different information (one says 650HP, the other 1000HP, but same P/N) and with 2 different prices?? I guess I'd have to go for the cheaper one, considering it's apparently the exact same radiator... (same picture and everything) Are they just 2 different eBay guys selling the same Champion radiators at different prices? Inquiring minds want to know...
Must be a cut / paste description then like most sellers that just cut / paste details from the manufacturer's website.. They're so close to being identical that I just assumed it was the same seller with 2 ID's... The first guy also lists one for $199 that's "850HP", but when you click on it the ad says "650HP" which seems to be the same.. Ah well. As long as they work!
I installed the ebay 3 core with my N* conversion in my 88GT.
My stock V6 radiator cooled the N* but had a slow cool down time when the fan came on. With the noted 3 core, it also cooled the N* but it is a much faster cool down time when the fan kicks on.
Fitment was tight. I had to trim the bottom rubber mounts about 1/4 inch or more. The radiator is very tight and does not move in the stock mounts when you bolt it in position. Tolerances are close on the top mounts but are fine.
Quality is good as far as the welding is concerned. I'd say that the cooling fin number count are the same per inch as our stock fiero rads. However, you have the extra thickness.
I'm going to buy another one, especially now that the prices are way down. It does a great job for the money.
You know I just might do that . I am not sure when I will start the actual install. The rad in the car is cooling enough, but there are times in the heat of summer when I am in stop and go city traffic that the temp gauge starts creeping up. The fan keeps it down, but is on all the time. I think a larger radiator will keep the fan from running as much.
Yeah, I have one also. My only comment is, and I am surprised that no one else had this experience, I had to modify the upper support. The aluminum radiator (at least the one that I bought) was more square at the upper, drivers side corner. So I had to modify the support to have a 90 degree corner rather than the angled corner. I can't comment on the cooling improvemet since I am still finishing the wiring and some other stuff. I am dying to hear it come to life!
I asked about getting one for a manual from the above mentioned cheaper auction and this is the responce I got :
Trans cooler is included. Ok for manual and auto trans. You can bypass if not needed. Price going up Saturday. $35.00 increase. Buy now to save money. Thank you, Brent...
[This message has been edited by Gto1966 (edited 03-19-2009).]
After doing some digging, I found the contact info for the manufacturer. You can order direct and save money. http://www.championcooling....hampion_page_002.htm These could be the best radiator option for high perfornance Fieros at the price I was quoted.
After doing some digging, I found the contact info for the manufacturer. You can order direct and save money. http://www.championcooling....hampion_page_002.htm These could be the best radiator option for high perfornance Fieros at the price I was quoted.
How much was the quote? Did you just email them with the info for your car?
They quoted me $155 when I called them. They said they could probably go as low as $145 right now because they made alot of these radiators in anticipation of selling many of them, but they have not had a good response. The chances of them continuing to make these awesome radiators for use in the future is slim if we don't start buying them. If you want one, get it now while they are in abundance and cheap.
I just got mine and plan to swap it in this weekend if I can get some shop space out of the rain.
I will take pictures and try to document everything.
------------------ Kendall (Icelander) Whitlatch '85 Fiero 2M4 - 5spd Isuzu '67 LeMans/GTO clone 6.5 litre TH400 All the rest aren't Pontiacs, so what does it matter?
I just spoke with Cid at Champion cooling. A very polite and helpfull person. He said he would honor the reduced price for folks here on the Forum. I ordered mine! Lets support vendors who help us build our cars!!
------------------ 84' Indy Pace Car (car #2000) 86' G.T. 87' Coupe (daily driver) 88' Formula (V8 project) Member: NIFE
As an "FYI", or comparison or whatever, a "generic" 1 row replacement radiator from Autozone is $190, and it likely won't provide the cooling that this all aluminum one will.. I want to order one, just not sure where I'm going to store it.. I already can't walk in here...
Edit.. Sent Cid an email. Might as well get one now. Maybe I'll hang it from the ceiling 'till I get back down to the car....
[This message has been edited by Riceburner98 (edited 03-20-2009).]
I know an aluminum three-core is sufficient for engine swaps, furthermore I would imagine even stock engines could benefit, the fan would probably run very little if at all. So, every Fiero owner should buy one.
Edit: to add pic for those who haven't seen one yet.
They even come with a cap!
[This message has been edited by ClayTonto (edited 03-20-2009).]
I am calling him Monday. The price on Ebay has jumped already.
The eBay guys probably had a "spike" in their sales of these after this thread popped up and figured they should boost the prices. Too bad we all now know they can be had from the manufacturer for less.
I just got off the phone with Cid, you're looking at $209.95 + 24.95 shipping now. He said they made them hoping they would catch on and kept the price low. Now that eveyone is buying them they are marking them up.....supply and demand gotta love it.
He has 5 left right now and another shipment due the end of April. I also asked if he was going to stop making them or if this was a limited run, his said no. Still cheaper than what I paid for my BeeCool setup in my Camaro.
I just ordered mine also. Prices have went up a bit but they are still a great deal. I guess the early birds caught the worm on this one. Mention Pennock's for a discount. I'm going to ask Archie to install mine on my build thread, so hopefully we'll get some more pics and info there.
Yeah, I started this thread and I am in the same boat but when I talked Cid he never mentioned a discount even when I brought up Pennocks a couple of times. I guess I will get one eventually but not right now.
They quoted me $155 when I called them. They said they could probably go as low as $145 right now because they made alot of these radiators in anticipation of selling many of them
Wow, price goes from $145 to over $209 in 3 days! I need one too, but I'll wait until the engine swap is done since there doesn't seem to be any reason to buy right now.
How would this compare to Archies 4 core radiator? I would assume with an extra core and the benefits of copper heat exchange that Archies would be cooler but heavier.
How would this compare to Archies 4 core radiator? I would assume with an extra core and the benefits of copper heat exchange that Archies would be cooler but heavier.
Archie is no longer selling a 4-core, the radiator he sales now is a copper 3-core. I have one of his 4-cores in my car and I'm switching to the 3-core aluminum. If you want a 4-core, I will sell mine (only 500 miles on it, like it matters).
[This message has been edited by ClayTonto (edited 03-24-2009).]
Cid send me an email telling me that he knocked $20 off due to the response from the forums. That's cool. I know others got them a lot cheaper but I am ok with spending what I did to help put food on someone's table.
The first guy also lists one for $199 that's "850HP", but when you click on it the ad says "650HP" which seems to be the same.. Ah well. As long as they work!
