Champion Tacoma Radiator in 3rd Gen

[octanejunkie]

Installed a Champion 1778 aluminum radiator taking a few tips from folks here and there

1990 Camry lower hose trimmed to length

Radiator bottom doesn't exceed frame rails, 18-7/8* core

Trimmed shroud

Insulated mounts and SS M8 25mm flange head and nylock nut

Install was pretty straightforward, no modifications to the vehicle itself. Installed new heater control valve from Amayama.

I did a distilled water flush (3x) before swapping in the new rad, measured water remaining in block after flush and matched with concentrate red, then topped off with 50/50

Coolant volume increased to around 11 quarts, from 9.4 (with rear heater)

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[sleepydad]

<a href="https://imgur.com/jyc61pA"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/jyc61pAl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[DaMonkey]

Right on. Looks great

What’s the rear heater that added volume?

How’s it cooling for you?

 

[Devbot]

Do these have a trans cooler integrated? I assume not

 

[96RedRunner]

[MENTION=549924]Devbot[/MENTION], CC1778 Champion website.

Looks as it has trans cooler. https://www.championradiators.com/files/3542644/Product_Images/1778_a_w_w.jpg
I'm in.

 

[Spiker Engineering]

Maybe I missed it, but why did you choose the Tacoma version (CC1778) over the 4Runner version (96-02 Toyota 4Runner 3-Row Radiator | Champion Radiators)?

 

[phattyduck]

Maybe I missed it, but why did you choose the Tacoma version (CC1778) over the 4Runner version (96-02 Toyota 4Runner 3-Row Radiator | Champion Radiators)?

2" shorter on the bottom, for 2" more clearance if you do a custom skid plate in that area. The Taco (2WD) radiator stops at the bottom of the frame rails instead of sticking down.

-Charlie

 

[Spiker Engineering]

2" shorter on the bottom, for 2" more clearance if you do a custom skid plate in that area. The Taco (2WD) radiator stops at the bottom of the frame rails instead of sticking down.

-Charlie

That makes sense. And the lower cooling capacity is not an issue?

 

[96RedRunner]

That makes sense. And the lower cooling capacity is not an issue?

I'm thinking it equals out since Champ Rad is thicker, haven't called Champion yet.
Good to know being Auto, will run remote trans cooler Rad cooler for powersteering is a mod.

 

[octanejunkie]

Right on. Looks great [emoji106]



What’s the rear heater that added volume?



How’s it cooling for you?

Rear heater was a factory option. My 2WD didn't have it. It adds about 1.2 Qts of coolant to the system. I am actually considering removing/bypassing it.

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[octanejunkie]

I'm thinking it equals out since Champ Rad is thicker, haven't called Champion yet.
Good to know being Auto, will run remote trans cooler Rad cooler for powersteering is a mod.

Even though the rad is shorter, the top and bottom tanks hold way more fluid, and are larger than the factory radiator tanks; this rad INCREASED the the total coolant volume by almost 2 quarts.

I'm not using the trans cooler (5-speed) but curious why anyone would not use it for their auto trans...

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[96RedRunner]

Even though the rad is shorter, the top and bottom tanks hold way more fluid, and are larger than the factory radiator tanks; this rad INCREASED the the total coolant volume by almost 2 quarts.

I'm not using the trans cooler (5-speed) but curious why anyone would not use it for their auto trans...

2qt+- increase in Cap good to hear.

Carry-over from strawberry milkshake bypass, pretty sure not a problem with Champion Rad.
Using it for PS cooling was thinking of what someone else mentioned, bouncing ideas as I dig into this.

How the Rad performing?

 

[octanejunkie]

How the Rad performing?

So far so good. Coolant temp seems to hang around 188° F each time I've peeked

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[96RedRunner]

Cool :thumb3:

All aluminum it 100% heat sink. Gets me to thinking of how much a difference that makes in itself.

 

[phattyduck]

Cool :thumb3:

All aluminum it 100% heat sink. Gets me to thinking of how much a difference that makes in itself.

The stock radiator is (mostly) aluminum. The extra cooling capacity comes from larger surface area (more fins, not the top and bottom tank material) and the fact that the coolant flows more slowly through it since there is more cross-sectional area for coolant flow. Extra volume helps even out temps, but won't have an effect on max cooling capabilities. Aluminum end-tanks are helpful for longevity/reliability, not cooling.

-Charlie

 

[96RedRunner]

I'll rephrase it, Rad will shed heat faster.

Agree 100% how you put it.
The difference between mostly Alu vs all in the scheme of things should help.