Where to buy Champion radiator

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mikewilzn said:
It's that time. I'm ordering the parts to do a new radiator + external transmission cooler. Tired of worrying about overheating while driving in the mountains.

For the Champion radiator, I've not found a clear place to buy it. Every thread I see has a different link. Is this a good/official place to buy? Decent price right now.

96-02 Toyota 4Runner 3-Row Radiator | Champion Radiators
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What’s the advantage to having a metal radiator vs a new OEM one w/ trans cooler? Just curious honestly. I installed a new OEM unit in 2018 and trans cooler in 2016 and have had good results so far.


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JoeT4R said:
What’s the advantage to having a metal radiator vs a new OEM one w/ trans cooler? Just curious honestly. I installed a new OEM unit in 2018 and trans cooler in 2016 and have had good results so far.


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All welded metal construction vs metal and plastic construction with crimps. Champion radiator is also a thicker core so better cooling and increased coolant system capacity. Obvious downside (or upside) to the champion radiator is the transmission cooler isn’t in the radiator so the radiator can’t warm the transmission fluid when it’s cold, and you’ll have to mount a large external transmission cooler as well.

Edit: Champion radiator has an integrated trans cooler. Koyo does not.
 
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Bad Luck said:
All welded metal construction vs metal and plastic construction with crimps. Champion radiator is also a thicker core so better cooling and increased coolant system capacity. Obvious downside (or upside) to the champion radiator is the transmission cooler isn’t in the radiator so the radiator can’t warm the transmission fluid when it’s cold, and you’ll have to mount a large external transmission cooler as well.
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So since my B&M 70268 bypasses my current radiator, wouldn’t that basically perform the same way in terms of heating the trans fluid? Either way, I’m always good with running cooler temps overall. I currently run anywhere between 186-190, even with A/C on full blast during the heat of summer. [Thanks Aisin fan clutch :) ]


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JoeT4R said:
So since my B&M 70268 bypasses my current radiator, wouldn’t that basically perform the same way in terms of heating the trans fluid? Either way, I’m always good with running cooler temps overall. I currently run anywhere between 186-190, even with A/C on full blast during the heat of summer. [Thanks Aisin fan clutch :) ]


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Shhh, you're gonna start the debate again :snacker:
 
JoeT4R said:
So since my B&M 70268 bypasses my current radiator, wouldn’t that basically perform the same way in terms of heating the trans fluid? Either way, I’m always good with running cooler temps overall. I currently run anywhere between 186-190, even with A/C on full blast during the heat of summer. [Thanks Aisin fan clutch :) ]


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The champion or Koyo radiator won’t lower your current engine operating temperature because that temperature is being regulated by the thermostat. What it will allow for is more cooling when you need it more than daily driving like off-roading or towing. I ran around 190*F with oem and Koyo radiators in 2 different 4Runners.

Edit: since you are already bypassed then there will be no difference in terms of transmission fluid temps.
 
Bad Luck said:
The champion or Koyo radiator won’t lower your current engine operating temperature because that temperature is being regulated by the thermostat. What it will allow for is more cooling when you need it more than daily driving like off-roading or towing. I ran around 190*F with oem and Koyo radiators in 2 different 4Runners.

Edit: since you are already bypassed then there will be no difference in terms of transmission fluid temps.
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I gotcha. That makes enough sense. Suppose I can’t justify that then for my application, as I’m not wheeling my rig these days and I’ve never towed anything before. I’m running my
OEM thermostat at 6 o’clock so as far as I can tell, I’m doing all the right things.

But, on the flip side, if a Koyo or champion will last longer than an OEM unit, then yeah I would consider one. That would probably be my main justification for getting one. I’ve only had to replace mine once before and I just installed another Denso one from the stealer.


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JoeT4R said:
I gotcha. That makes enough sense. Suppose I can’t justify that then for my application, as I’m not wheeling my rig these days and I’ve never towed anything before. I’m running my
OEM thermostat at 6 o’clock so as far as I can tell, I’m doing all the right things.

But, on the flip side, if a Koyo or champion will last longer than an OEM unit, then yeah I would consider one. That would probably be my main justification for getting one. I’ve only had to replace mine once before and I just installed another Denso one from the stealer.


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If you don’t need the extra cooling capability then I see no reason to replace your oem/denso radiator before it’s time. You’re already bypassing the trans cooler too so there’s really no risk involved in keeping your current radiator for at least 10 years/100k miles in my opinion.
 
Bad Luck said:
All welded metal construction vs metal and plastic construction with crimps. Champion radiator is also a thicker core so better cooling and increased coolant system capacity. Obvious downside (or upside) to the champion radiator is the transmission cooler isn’t in the radiator so the radiator can’t warm the transmission fluid when it’s cold, and you’ll have to mount a large external transmission cooler as well.
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The Champion all aluminum radiator does have the transmission loop. You're thinking of Koyo that makes an all aluminum radiator but only a manual transmission version (so no transmission cooling loop). I plan to run the external cooler (Hayden 699) inline with the Champion radiator. The aluminum eliminates the concern for pink milkshake, and I live in the Northeast so winters can get pretty cold and I want the warming benefits of the radiator.
 
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mikewilzn said:
The Champion all aluminum radiator does have the transmission loop. You're thinking of Koyo that makes an all aluminum radiator but only a manual transmission version (so no transmission cooling loop). I plan to run the external cooler (Hayden 699) inline with the Champion radiator. The aluminum eliminates the concern for pink milkshake, and I live in the Northeast so winters can get pretty cold and I want the warming benefits of the radiator.
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You’re correct. The Koyo I have doesn’t have an integrated trans cooler.
 
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