champion radiators

[toadman]

For those considering installing the Champion radiator in their U20 2000s, don't do it. I purchased
the one advertised for the '68-'70 2000 with the filler cap similar to stock, but this radiator:
1)does not simply drop in as I was led to believe, 2)requires cutting a section out of mounting
bracket to fit around the horn mount flange (pass. side) 3)is too tall:with the steering linkage just
missing the bottom of the tank, the filler cap is about 1 1/2" higher and would most likely contact
the hood when closed. The dimensional numbers were not sorted out, nor could of this radiator
ever been test installed on a 2L to insure a proper fit. And since I had to cut a section out to try
to fit it in place, they are not going to take it back. (I dont think they will, waiting to hear)

[K1200 GT]

I used there radiator on my 70 1600. No cutting but drilled a couple holes here and there. Dont think they advertise to fit the 70 model any more. Thats a shame tho they wouldnt take the time to make sure it would fit the 2L. Mine doesnt have the fill neck.

Rich

[mraitch]

believe they say only fits through VIN 29000 - see my wikitech article for later cars

[dbrick]

I sent Toadman a separate email. Just for reference, I have no affilliation with Champion, except for getting a free radiator in exchange for a stocker.
Memory isn't the best, but I found the Email I sent to Champion's engineer as a followup. I had sent them a 68 2000 radiator, so should fit with A style steering box. My 69 has a B box, a bit larger in places, Datsun had a different rad for later cars. Had I known the difference, I would have sent a late, as I'm sure the donor for the 1600 rad would have.

All went well. If I had a stock car or a puller elec fan, it would have been a no brainer, bolt it in and go. I had issues with mounting the pusher fan.
Only have3 suggestions. If you can make the pass lower tank corner about ¼ inch “higher” it would clear the steering better. I also needed to notch the bracket on the top pass side, but it may have just been my car. I needed to go find a cap, the OEM Nissan/Datsun cap is smaller than the neck you use, so you would need to source a proper size fill cap. I simply used a 15lb cap, have a 13 on the expansion tank, so it should not be an issue. I can barley get it to run above 120, so have to check the thermostat, but it didn’t even reach normal in situations that would have run it up to 220 with the old radiator

Blue arrows are where I had to notch about 1/2x1/2 off the edge of the flange to make it sit higher to clear the idler, red arrow is where it was hitting. My fan is on the front, so I can't say about shroud alignment. Now my car is not stock, rad mounting was spaced forward and back to clear the elec fan etc, but he built it from the 68 I sent and his 1600 production part. So in essance, I raised mine 1/2 " still cleared the hood.

[fixitman04]

For those considering installing the Champion radiator in their U20 2000s, don't do it. I purchased
the one advertised for the '68-'70 2000 with the filler cap similar to stock, but this radiator:
1)does not simply drop in as I was led to believe, 2)requires cutting a section out of mounting
bracket to fit around the horn mount flange (pass. side) 3)is too tall:with the steering linkage just
missing the bottom of the tank, the filler cap is about 1 1/2" higher and would most likely contact
the hood when closed. The dimensional numbers were not sorted out, nor could of this radiator
ever been test installed on a 2L to insure a proper fit. And since I had to cut a section out to try
to fit it in place, they are not going to take it back. (I dont think they will, waiting to hear)

if they wont take it back...and you decide you dont want it pm me.... id be willing to buy it.

[pletch]

I just tried to install on in my 69 2000 and it doesn't fit. I've just emailed them to see if perhaps they sent me a wrong one.

[zippy67roadster]

It appears to me that they just took the 1600 radiator and put the extension for the cap on it. I had them make me the prototype of the 1600 a couple years ago and I explained that the 2000 would be a bit different. It doesn't look like this is a viable option for you 2L guys. I hope they fix the issues so they fit as well as my 1600 one does.

[toadman]

Thats what I wanted people to know, that the radiator advertised for the 2L just does not fit with your
stock fan, if I was to make it fit in my car, I would have had to use an electric fan. I do want to mention that they were willing to take it back, even though I had to remove a small section of the aluminum frame for positioning. I appreciated that. Will re-install the stock radiator.

[dbrick]

I feel really bad about all this. They used my radiator as a model,with a fan shroud. Mine fit, with minor work, but a production version should be made to fit right. I emailed the engineer about the areas I had to trim and the tight clearance at the idler box..
I won't post it, but if anyone needs his email for help with a refund or exchange, PM me.
I have one of their 1600 rads I was going to use in the 64, but if that gets a late steering box, it may not be a great fit.
Saddest part is the damn thing works REALLY well.

[fixitman04]

ok it seems champion has pulled the roadster radiators from their website. cant find a 2000 version on ebay either now. if one of you dissatisfied customers would sell me yours... at full price id be very happy with you!

i am building a race car.. i dont mind the fitment issues. or the electric fan... im gonna run one anyway.

i dont want to chance them not reappearing on the market... or them being a smaller core.

pm me!

[MSmethers]

ok it seems champion has pulled the roadster radiators from their website. cant find a 2000 version on ebay either now. if one of you dissatisfied customers would sell me yours... at full price id be very happy with you!

i am building a race car.. i dont mind the fitment issues. or the electric fan... im gonna run one anyway.

i dont want to chance them not reappearing on the market... or them being a smaller core.

pm me!

They must have just ended. Back up now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Champion-Coolin ... es&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/68-69-70-Datsun ... es&vxp=mtr

[chubbard]

I would like to install a champion radiator in my 1964 SPL310 but need to know if anyone else has put one in a 1500. I'm leaning toward a champion 3-row radiator with an electric fan and shroud. I don't want to beat the crap out of this fan to make it fit. Also, the photo of the radiator that Champion makes shows a filler tube leading top the thermostat housing in place of a filler cap. Is this a generic stock photo? I want to try 10" electric pull fan. Has anyone done this before on a positive ground?

I was hoping that someone who had already been down this road could fill me in on their findings.

Charlie Hubbard

[K1200 GT]

I dont know about the 1500 but this is the one in my 70 1600.

Rich

[Garm]

I'd like to put one in my 1600.

1. Did we confirm that the one for the 1600 is good to go, fits well and no mods needed? Or what?

2. What if someone wants to convert to an electric fan? Do they provide mounting points, or whatever so that option can be done? Do they provide it with a fan?

I am not opposed to having a one-off made that I know is exactly the way I want it and fits perfectly, but I'd rather not.

[K1200 GT]

The only mounting points on mine were for the fan shroud. And the spoiler under neath. which im sure you could use for electric fans. I had to re drill 1-2 holes for the shroud...but there was plenty of lip there to do so. On the radiator existing mounting brackets I had to drill two holes one top and one bottom on the right side. And was able to use the 2 on the left side that were already there. It sits off about 1" from centered to clear the steering gear box. But a great upgrade and well worth the time and trouble.

Rich