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Champion Radiator Aluminum 3 core swap

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by 1997tacomav6, Apr 12, 2018.

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HAS YOUR CHAMPION RADIATOR CORE FAILED?

  1. Radiator core failed 5k

    4 vote(s)
    10.8%

  2. Radiator core failed 10k

    4 vote(s)
    10.8%

  3. Radiator core failed 15k

    1 vote(s)
    2.7%

  4. Happy with radiator?

    18 vote(s)
    48.6%

  5. Radiator defect when new?

    5 vote(s)
    13.5%

  6. Radiator failed after 25k

    5 vote(s)
    13.5%
Page 19 of 39
  1. Mar 28, 2019 at 11:47 AM
    #361
    Amoore131

    #361
    Amoore131 Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 6112/5160's 33" STT Pros SCS F5's All-pro Armor Softopper Snorkel Winch Heretic Lights
    I keep going back and forth between this and something like the Mishimoto or Koyo oem style 2-row. How is everyone's holding up?

    I'm forced to swap out my good-working radiator due to the all-pro bumper not clearing the automatic one.
     
    Amoore131, Mar 28, 2019
    #361
  2. Mar 28, 2019 at 12:30 PM
    #362
    burntkat

    #362
    burntkat Well-Known Member

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    Mine is only 2 months old, but no problems whatsoever. Even the install of the lower hose was easy (the spout is a bit too large). Old guy trick- dish soap on the nipple.
     
    burntkat, Mar 28, 2019
    #362
    1997tacomav6[OP] and Amoore131 like this.
  3. Mar 28, 2019 at 12:40 PM
    #363
    Phessor

    #363
    Phessor Well-Known Member

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    Mine is the new style with the smaller cap and it is offset to miss the hood.
     
    Phessor, Mar 28, 2019
    #363
    burntkat likes this.
  4. Mar 28, 2019 at 12:42 PM
    #364
    BYJOSHCOOK

    #364
    BYJOSHCOOK Mr. Mojo Risin

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    Woodstock and Alpharetta Ga
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    Check Out My Builds
    I'm sure mine is the same, kinda stupid looking from the recent pics I've seen but ah well. It's not a show truck, also waiting on a few other parts but should be good to go for next weekend install
     
    BYJOSHCOOK, Mar 28, 2019
    #364
    burntkat likes this.
  5. Mar 28, 2019 at 12:54 PM
    #365
    Phessor

    #365
    Phessor Well-Known Member

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    Under normal conditions my stock radiator has been fine. But as the temperatures start to rise this summer, so does my engine temps. That is when this radiator shines!
     
    Phessor, Mar 28, 2019
    #365
    1997tacomav6[OP] and burntkat like this.
  6. Mar 28, 2019 at 1:20 PM
    #366
    Amoore131

    #366
    Amoore131 Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 6112/5160's 33" STT Pros SCS F5's All-pro Armor Softopper Snorkel Winch Heretic Lights
    Thanks for the feedback. Does anyone have an issue getting up to temp in the winter? When I had an aluminum radiator on my Subaru, the heat never really got hot since the engine ran so much cooler.
     
    Amoore131, Mar 28, 2019
    #366
  7. Mar 28, 2019 at 2:30 PM
    #367
    Phessor

    #367
    Phessor Well-Known Member

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    Mine stays a constant 188° F all year round.
     
    Phessor, Mar 28, 2019
    #367
    Amoore131[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Mar 28, 2019 at 5:32 PM
    #368
    Shortman5

    #368
    Shortman5 Well-Known Member

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    ..
    Vehicle:
    Supercharged TRD
    TRD S/C, ADS coilovers.
    Running a 180 degree thermostat?
     
    Shortman5, Mar 28, 2019
    #368
  9. Mar 28, 2019 at 7:36 PM
    #369
    burntkat

    #369
    burntkat Well-Known Member

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    So is mine.

    There was much made about the cap being off center and a non standard piece. While mine is off center (who cares), the stock Toyofa cap works a treat.

    VERY happy with mine thus far. However I should repeat, it is new yet. The real story will be told in August when the heat and humidity race each other.

    It isn't high-end fabrication, no. But then, a pretty weld isn't necessarily strong, and the inverse applies. These aren't ugly welds, they just aren't that pretentious bullshit tiny stack of dimes everyone sees on the fab shows.
     
    burntkat, Mar 28, 2019
    #369
  10. Mar 28, 2019 at 7:37 PM
    #370
    burntkat

    #370
    burntkat Well-Known Member

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    Shouldn't be a problem. This is what thermostats are for
     
    burntkat, Mar 28, 2019
    #370
    Amoore131[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Mar 28, 2019 at 8:10 PM
    #371
    Phessor

    #371
    Phessor Well-Known Member

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    Yes
     
    Phessor, Mar 28, 2019
    #371
  12. Mar 28, 2019 at 8:16 PM
    #372
    Shortman5

    #372
    Shortman5 Well-Known Member

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    ..
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    Supercharged TRD
    TRD S/C, ADS coilovers.
    Got the Campion on order. I’m wondering if I should change my 170 out. I wouldn’t want it to run any cooler than 180.
     
    Shortman5, Mar 28, 2019
    #372
    Phessor[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Mar 29, 2019 at 2:26 PM
    #373
    Amoore131

    #373
    Amoore131 Well-Known Member

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    MD
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    01 Tacoma Limited double cab
    Bilstein 6112/5160's 33" STT Pros SCS F5's All-pro Armor Softopper Snorkel Winch Heretic Lights
    Decided to pull the trigger last night. Bought the radiator, the mentioned gates hose, a manual trans V6 fan shroud, and 3 gallons of Zerex pink coolant.

    Is there anything I'm missing?
     
    Amoore131, Mar 29, 2019
    #373
  14. Mar 29, 2019 at 2:52 PM
    #374
    ToyRyd04

    #374
    ToyRyd04 Taco Transformer

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    Grab a new thermostat and replace since your 3 bolts away when the radiator is pulled. Also inspect your upper hose, trans cooler lines, and fan/fan clutch.
     
    ToyRyd04, Mar 29, 2019
    #374
  15. Mar 29, 2019 at 2:55 PM
    #375
    Amoore131

    #375
    Amoore131 Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 6112/5160's 33" STT Pros SCS F5's All-pro Armor Softopper Snorkel Winch Heretic Lights
    Any recommendations on thermostats? I see a variety mentioned including 170 or 180 degree and various brands.
     
    Amoore131, Mar 29, 2019
    #375
  16. Mar 29, 2019 at 3:23 PM
    #376
    BlackPearl

    #376
    BlackPearl Well-Known Member

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    3” lift. Sway a ways 2.5 on 285 75 16 and much more
    I used one from Napa. I think it was like safe T stat. Basically if it fails it stays open that way you don't over heat.
     
    BlackPearl, Mar 29, 2019
    #376
  17. Mar 29, 2019 at 3:25 PM
    #377
    Speedytech7

    #377
    Speedytech7 Toyota Cult Ombudsman

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    It's less Tacoma and more mod
    All of Napa's SuperStat ones are Stant brand too so you can't really go wrong.
     
    Speedytech7, Mar 29, 2019
    #377
    burntkat likes this.
  18. Mar 29, 2019 at 3:29 PM
    #378
    Amoore131

    #378
    Amoore131 Well-Known Member

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    01 Tacoma Limited double cab
    Bilstein 6112/5160's 33" STT Pros SCS F5's All-pro Armor Softopper Snorkel Winch Heretic Lights
    What's the consensus on 170 vs 180 degree tstats?
     
    Amoore131, Mar 29, 2019
    #378
  19. Mar 29, 2019 at 3:30 PM
    #379
    Speedytech7

    #379
    Speedytech7 Toyota Cult Ombudsman

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    It's less Tacoma and more mod
    180, it's designed to operate there. Hell the ECU doesn't even consider your engine warmed up until 177.8°
     
    Speedytech7, Mar 29, 2019
    #379
    SilverGhost and Amoore131[QUOTED] like this.
  20. Mar 29, 2019 at 3:34 PM
    #380
    BlackPearl

    #380
    BlackPearl Well-Known Member

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    3” lift. Sway a ways 2.5 on 285 75 16 and much more
    the 170 is recommended for the 3.4 supercharger trucks
     
    BlackPearl, Mar 29, 2019
    #380
    Amoore131[QUOTED] likes this.
Page 19 of 39

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