Can I modify my Champion radiator for my LS swap? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kmfb · 02-06-2015, 12:59 AM

So I have a 79 swb and had a 350 in it. I purchased a 3 row Champion Radiator with dual fans for it but never installed it. I ended up having issues with the motor and decided to sell it and the transmission off to swap in a 2003 5.3/4l60e combo. I know the outlet on the Champion radiator is on the driver side and the LS requires it to me on the passenger side. My radiator does have the internal tranny cooler built in as well. I'm wanting to know if I can basically cut off my outlet and move it over to the passenger side? I have seen some tahoes with the outlet hose that runs back across the radiator to the passenger side but I think its kinda ugly looking. I would like to utilize this radiator and fan setup if possible. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Kyle

**First c10** · 02-06-2015, 01:08 AM

This is the champion radiator I used. I am not sure you can move the stub because the tanks are not divided. So if you move it the water will not flow throw the radiator but just flow throw the tank.

kmfb · 02-06-2015, 01:22 AM

That looks like the exact one I have. What did you or are you planning to use for the upper hose?

**First c10** · 02-06-2015, 01:43 AM

I used a stock hose from a 2011 chevy truck. Then after I cut the hose in half. Used a piece of stainless steel polished it up and made some custom aluminum brackets. I was looking for a picture but I can't seem to find one. I will try and take one tomorrow.

kmfb · 02-06-2015, 01:52 AM

I would appreciate that!

Indian113 · 02-06-2015, 10:07 AM

this is how I did mine

kmfb · 02-06-2015, 10:41 AM

Is that in an s10? Looks good! Any top views of that hose setup by chance?

Matt Cramer · 02-06-2015, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmfb

So I have a 79 swb and had a 350 in it. I purchased a 3 row Champion Radiator with dual fans for it but never installed it. I ended up having issues with the motor and decided to sell it and the transmission off to swap in a 2003 5.3/4l60e combo. I know the outlet on the Champion radiator is on the driver side and the LS requires it to me on the passenger side. My radiator does have the internal tranny cooler built in as well. I'm wanting to know if I can basically cut off my outlet and move it over to the passenger side? I have seen some tahoes with the outlet hose that runs back across the radiator to the passenger side but I think its kinda ugly looking. I would like to utilize this radiator and fan setup if possible. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Kyle

Moving the outlet is not likely to work unless the passages in the radiator are vertical. However, I had no trouble making a stock 1972 radiator with a driver's side top outlet work with an LS swap using a top radiator hose for a 2005 Silverado. I suspect the same will work for you, assuming this is a direct fit radiator.

kmfb · 02-06-2015, 11:16 AM

Yeah I want to keep my aluminum radiator, I'll probably just modify the upper hose with stainless tubing. Just need more pictures for references.

Indian113 · 02-06-2015, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmfb

Is that in an s10? Looks good! Any top views of that hose setup by chance?

Yes it's my S10. I have 1 pic but it's not very good. I'll try and take another today after I dig it out of the snow bank

BR3W CITY · 02-06-2015, 01:46 PM

Mines not a Champion, but I use made a stainless tube crossover just the same.

BigRed76 · 02-06-2015, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indian113

this is how I did mine

Is that just sections cut out of the stock upper hose?

Indian113 · 02-06-2015, 04:45 PM

Big Red yes it is.

BigRed76 · 02-06-2015, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indian113

Big Red yes it is.

It looks much better than the 4 ft. long stock hose

Indian113 · 02-06-2015, 07:34 PM

Is this what your wanting to see? I took out the tubing on water pump and modified it then moved it allow a better connection. It started to leak so I used a little JB Weld to seal it and haven't had any trouble since. Because of the limited amount of room under the hood of a S10 I needed to put my space to good use.

**First c10** · 02-06-2015, 07:37 PM

This is my top radiator hose!!!

Indian113 · 02-06-2015, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by First c10

This is my top radiator hose!!!

That looks nice

Marty68 · 02-06-2015, 08:53 PM

that looks really nice. i dont have a radiator yet (old one was stolen for scrap) trying to decide electric fans or not if not i wouldnt have to buy a shroud. if i dont have a shroud i thought the 4 foot rubbe rhose would look crappy.

**First c10** · 02-06-2015, 09:53 PM

Thanks!!!

homemade87 · 02-07-2015, 09:56 AM

Heres mine on the 82 with electric fans stock radiator. Hose is from a 04 silverado.

chevy-fun · 02-07-2015, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by First c10

This is my top radiator hose!!!

can you explain how you did that. pipe, clamps??

**First c10** · 02-07-2015, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevy-fun

can you explain how you did that. pipe, clamps??

Sure... the stainless steel pipe is 1-1/2" ID process piping from a cheese plant I worked at. It already had the 90* elbow welding on I just cut each end to the length I needed and polished it. The mounts are 1" x 1/8" aluminum flat plate I formed and polished, Added 1/16" rubber pad and bolted to the top of the radiator at the shroud mounting bolts. Just cut the stock hose and clamped on each end with high quality SS hose clamps.
hope this helps
Scott

kmfb · 02-16-2015, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by First c10

This is my top radiator hose!!!

Very nice! Thank you for the picture!

02-06-2015, 12:59 AM	#1
kmfb Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Clackamas, Or Posts: 139	Can I modify my Champion radiator for my LS swap? So I have a 79 swb and had a 350 in it. I purchased a 3 row Champion Radiator with dual fans for it but never installed it. I ended up having issues with the motor and decided to sell it and the transmission off to swap in a 2003 5.3/4l60e combo. I know the outlet on the Champion radiator is on the driver side and the LS requires it to me on the passenger side. My radiator does have the internal tranny cooler built in as well. I'm wanting to know if I can basically cut off my outlet and move it over to the passenger side? I have seen some tahoes with the outlet hose that runs back across the radiator to the passenger side but I think its kinda ugly looking. I would like to utilize this radiator and fan setup if possible. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Kyle

02-06-2015, 01:08 AM	#2
First c10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Los Banos CA Posts: 2,705	Re: Can I modify my Champion radiator for my LS swap? This is the champion radiator I used. I am not sure you can move the stub because the tanks are not divided. So if you move it the water will not flow throw the radiator but just flow throw the tank. Attached Images __________________ 1956 Chevy Bel Air 2 door 1956 Chevy 210 4 Door 1970 K20 LWB project the Hulk build w/Supercharged 4.8L-ly2/4L60E HULK BUILD 1970 C10 Yellow/White Deluxe LWB w/ 5.3L-LC9/6L80E 1968 K10 LWB Dark green my son calls it "THE HULK Jr"HULK JR SOLD GO GO!!!

02-06-2015, 01:22 AM	#3
kmfb Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Clackamas, Or Posts: 139	Re: Can I modify my Champion radiator for my LS swap? That looks like the exact one I have. What did you or are you planning to use for the upper hose?

02-06-2015, 01:43 AM	#4
First c10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Los Banos CA Posts: 2,705	Re: Can I modify my Champion radiator for my LS swap? I used a stock hose from a 2011 chevy truck. Then after I cut the hose in half. Used a piece of stainless steel polished it up and made some custom aluminum brackets. I was looking for a picture but I can't seem to find one. I will try and take one tomorrow. __________________ 1956 Chevy Bel Air 2 door 1956 Chevy 210 4 Door 1970 K20 LWB project the Hulk build w/Supercharged 4.8L-ly2/4L60E HULK BUILD 1970 C10 Yellow/White Deluxe LWB w/ 5.3L-LC9/6L80E 1968 K10 LWB Dark green my son calls it "THE HULK Jr"HULK JR SOLD GO GO!!!

02-06-2015, 01:52 AM	#5
kmfb Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Clackamas, Or Posts: 139	Re: Can I modify my Champion radiator for my LS swap? I would appreciate that!

02-06-2015, 10:07 AM	#6
Indian113 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Monroe,Iowa Posts: 4,370	Re: Can I modify my Champion radiator for my LS swap? this is how I did mine Attached Images

02-06-2015, 10:41 AM	#7
kmfb Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Clackamas, Or Posts: 139	Re: Can I modify my Champion radiator for my LS swap? Is that in an s10? Looks good! Any top views of that hose setup by chance?

02-06-2015, 11:16 AM	#9
kmfb Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Clackamas, Or Posts: 139	Re: Can I modify my Champion radiator for my LS swap? Yeah I want to keep my aluminum radiator, I'll probably just modify the upper hose with stainless tubing. Just need more pictures for references.

02-06-2015, 01:46 PM	#11
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Can I modify my Champion radiator for my LS swap? Mines not a Champion, but I use made a stainless tube crossover just the same. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

02-06-2015, 04:45 PM	#13
Indian113 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Monroe,Iowa Posts: 4,370	Re: Can I modify my Champion radiator for my LS swap? Big Red yes it is.

02-06-2015, 07:34 PM	#15
Indian113 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Monroe,Iowa Posts: 4,370	Re: Can I modify my Champion radiator for my LS swap? Is this what your wanting to see? I took out the tubing on water pump and modified it then moved it allow a better connection. It started to leak so I used a little JB Weld to seal it and haven't had any trouble since. Because of the limited amount of room under the hood of a S10 I needed to put my space to good use. Attached Images

02-06-2015, 07:37 PM	#16
First c10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Los Banos CA Posts: 2,705	Re: Can I modify my Champion radiator for my LS swap? This is my top radiator hose!!! Attached Images __________________ 1956 Chevy Bel Air 2 door 1956 Chevy 210 4 Door 1970 K20 LWB project the Hulk build w/Supercharged 4.8L-ly2/4L60E HULK BUILD 1970 C10 Yellow/White Deluxe LWB w/ 5.3L-LC9/6L80E 1968 K10 LWB Dark green my son calls it "THE HULK Jr"HULK JR SOLD GO GO!!!

02-06-2015, 08:53 PM	#18
Marty68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: west coast, Wi Posts: 534	Re: Can I modify my Champion radiator for my LS swap? that looks really nice. i dont have a radiator yet (old one was stolen for scrap) trying to decide electric fans or not if not i wouldnt have to buy a shroud. if i dont have a shroud i thought the 4 foot rubbe rhose would look crappy.

02-06-2015, 09:53 PM	#19
First c10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Los Banos CA Posts: 2,705	Re: Can I modify my Champion radiator for my LS swap? Thanks!!! __________________ 1956 Chevy Bel Air 2 door 1956 Chevy 210 4 Door 1970 K20 LWB project the Hulk build w/Supercharged 4.8L-ly2/4L60E HULK BUILD 1970 C10 Yellow/White Deluxe LWB w/ 5.3L-LC9/6L80E 1968 K10 LWB Dark green my son calls it "THE HULK Jr"HULK JR SOLD GO GO!!!

02-07-2015, 09:56 AM	#20
homemade87 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Guntersville Alabama Posts: 1,073	Re: Can I modify my Champion radiator for my LS swap? Heres mine on the 82 with electric fans stock radiator. Hose is from a 04 silverado. Attached Images



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