paul67
Well-known member
You posted in the other area re this installation. Yes, I had the the same idea and experience re installation costs (but much less than $5,500.) I will keep the windows open.
Barry re A/C Install
- Thread starter paul67
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Paul
I think the priceing was so high because I got the feeling they really didn't want to do it so they charged so much so most people would say forget it.
Since than I've decided i'll do the install myself, with Subfixer's help, but the system and other parts are still going to run $1500
I think the priceing was so high because I got the feeling they really didn't want to do it so they charged so much so most people would say forget it.
Since than I've decided i'll do the install myself, with Subfixer's help, but the system and other parts are still going to run $1500
IH2LOSE
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BarryK said:
Barry call the manufacturer of the system you want and ask them if they have any installing dealers or shops in your area.
The hardest part will be charging the system,If you cant find some one to charge it.I will bring my stuff to Bowling grren and we can do it in the lot
Hi Larry
yes, I looked into the "installing dealers" but every vette place I checked with within a 2.5 hour dive all want a total installed price of around $5500 on a system that cost $1250 for the kit. That's $4250 install fee! FORGET THAT!. They all siad it's a real PITA install so I got the feeling none really wanted to do it anyway so they charge a fortune so they don't get the job in their laps.
Besides, I promised myself the car wasn't going into anymore shops or mechanics - i'll do things myself except for stuff I absolutely can't such as alignments.
Subfixer has already installed the same system on his car with the same motor configuration (his is a converted L76 now) and offered to come down to help me.
also, now that i'm trying to learn to do the work on my car myself, it will be more satisfying afterwards to know I did it rather than just pay someone to do it which I can't afford anyway.
Oh, i won't be at Bowling Green but it's an R134 system so I should be able to get that charged most any Car A/C service place I'd imagine.
yes, I looked into the "installing dealers" but every vette place I checked with within a 2.5 hour dive all want a total installed price of around $5500 on a system that cost $1250 for the kit. That's $4250 install fee! FORGET THAT!. They all siad it's a real PITA install so I got the feeling none really wanted to do it anyway so they charge a fortune so they don't get the job in their laps.
Besides, I promised myself the car wasn't going into anymore shops or mechanics - i'll do things myself except for stuff I absolutely can't such as alignments.
Subfixer has already installed the same system on his car with the same motor configuration (his is a converted L76 now) and offered to come down to help me.
also, now that i'm trying to learn to do the work on my car myself, it will be more satisfying afterwards to know I did it rather than just pay someone to do it which I can't afford anyway.
Oh, i won't be at Bowling Green but it's an R134 system so I should be able to get that charged most any Car A/C service place I'd imagine.
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- #5
paul67
Well-known member
Barry,
That is really hard to believe. That's 85 hours of labour at say $50/hour.
What extra pulleys will you need and do you have to move the alternator to the driver's side? (Mine is already there.)
That is really hard to believe. That's 85 hours of labour at say $50/hour.
What extra pulleys will you need and do you have to move the alternator to the driver's side? (Mine is already there.)
i know Paul, it's outrageous. They all said it would be a full 2-day job so how they even begin to justify that amount to install it is beyond be.
Well, lets be a LITTLE fair........ I know the kit costs $1250 so they are going to tack on some profit to sell it so lets figure they want to charge me $2k for the system itself, it's still $3500 install cost.
Either way it's WAY too much so i'm doing it myself.
Yes, need to switch sides on the alternator, change out the WP pulley, get an alternator extension wiring harness, get a throttle solenoid and a few other misc parts. Actually, I'm not sure why the WP pulley needs to get changed. It's already a 2-groove pulley - one groove fro the alt. and the other goes to the idler pulley. The idler pulley gets removed so the A/C should be able to go onto that groove, but Paul (subfixer) gave me a list of items I'll need and the WP pulley was on it. I need to look into why it's needed though. Changing it out is easy enough (wow, what a surprise to hear that come out of me!!) but I'm not sure why I need to.
Well, lets be a LITTLE fair........ I know the kit costs $1250 so they are going to tack on some profit to sell it so lets figure they want to charge me $2k for the system itself, it's still $3500 install cost.
Either way it's WAY too much so i'm doing it myself.
Yes, need to switch sides on the alternator, change out the WP pulley, get an alternator extension wiring harness, get a throttle solenoid and a few other misc parts. Actually, I'm not sure why the WP pulley needs to get changed. It's already a 2-groove pulley - one groove fro the alt. and the other goes to the idler pulley. The idler pulley gets removed so the A/C should be able to go onto that groove, but Paul (subfixer) gave me a list of items I'll need and the WP pulley was on it. I need to look into why it's needed though. Changing it out is easy enough (wow, what a surprise to hear that come out of me!!) but I'm not sure why I need to.
Subfixer
Well-known member
BarryK said:
Barry, the WP pulley is a smaller diameter and is not a deep groove pulley. It needs to change so everything lines up. The parts I spec'ed out are all the parts a "stock" L76/L79 w/C60 came with from the factory. I figure GM engineered these parts for a reason.
I figured there was a reason Paul, I just didn't know what it was.
Yes, I agree, GM designed the systems for a reason so that alone is usually a good enough reason to follow their design. Why reinvent the wheel if something already works well.
Thanks for explaining why the pulley change is needed.
Yes, I agree, GM designed the systems for a reason so that alone is usually a good enough reason to follow their design. Why reinvent the wheel if something already works well.
Thanks for explaining why the pulley change is needed.
- Thread starter
- #9
paul67
Well-known member
Sounds too complicated and expensive for me. I'll wimp out for the cost of driving two relatively hot months here in Canada. In reality, I only had two driving days of real heat last summer. But good luck Barry. Love to see the pics.
you know I'll photo-document everything as usual Paul 
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