Question about installing Vintage Air a/c system

[MaineShark]

Where does this system go? In the "box" on the passenger's side of the engine compartment? Or totally inside the dash?

I'm curious whether a system like that would allow the removal of that box, to free up space?

Joe

 

[Mike Carter]

Joe,

I'm checking on this stuff too, but honestly where in the dash would it go?

Mike

 

[MaineShark]

honestly where in the dash would it go?

I'm not really sure - I haven't gotten enough done with the major things, to even take a significant look at the climate control systems.

And I'm not sure how big the VA system is. I'm pretty sure I heard that it was smaller than the original system, but I'm not sure by how much.

Hopefully someone who has done the install can enlighten us.

Joe

 

[groovyjay]

'ello 'ello, I have installed the compac gen2 kit in my 79. The evaporator is fitted under the dash on the passenger side. You will have to remove your old A/C and heater stuff and by doing that it will give you the room you'll need. I can only email you pics, because I'm having troubles with FTP on my computer.

 

[groovyjay]

I did some diggin' and I found one pic showing how it's installed.

 

[TZ Racer]

We installed it in our '71. You can see a picture at:

http://www.tropiczoneracing.com/images/00000275.jpg

There are more pics on the site at:

http://www.tropiczoneracing.com/Street-Vette.htm

You may be able to see where it comes thru the fire wall into the engine compartment in one of the other pics.

We just got the motor running on this project and still need to fully charge the system to see how well it is going to keep us cool.

 

[Last Ride]

Jay--
Did your car have AC when you bought it? Mine did, but since I had the LT1 installed, I have been without AC (never really worked anyway). I was wondering if you were able to retain your stock ducting and/or controls. I would like to install a Vintage Air system in my car, but want it to be stealth. Any thoughts?

 

[woobie1966]

dave, had asked a corvette mechanic about ac for my 70 car.he told me that vintage air had a model for the mid year(c-2) and another for the c-3 he told me that the c-3 model did not look too good , did you get a different companies product? if so who?
i would love to have ac, im here in ft lauderdale, you know how fla is /summer/ long light........heat stroke
mike

 

[woobie1966]

dave, just looked at pics.....gorgeous car!!

 

[MaineShark]

Thanks, guys. It looks to me like it goes up under the dash, behind (instead of?) the "glove compartment." Is that correct?

Joe

 

[TZ Racer]

Mike,
Mine is Vintage Air #VIN 68000-VUZ-A Gen II Unit. You still have to buy a compressor, condenser, dryer, etc.

The unit pretty much fits only one way under the dash. It leaves about 2-3" behind the firewall in the passenger compartment. Once the old heater core is out of the way, I just used sheet metal to block off the hole. We had to notch the fiberglass just above the bellhousing area to fit it in, but there is plenty of clearance between the bellhousing and the floor.

Once it's installed you can't see any of the components except the heater vents stick down below the passenger side dash about an inch or two.

Chris McDonald installed one in his '69 and seems happy with it.

 

[woobie1966]

thanks dave,
il keep the info, and after i pay off some other stuff....ill spend some more on the vette, have you tried the unit out yet? how well does it cool?
mike

 

[MaineShark]

Thanks, that really helps.

Mind if I ask how much the system ended up costing? I have factory A/C, but I don't think it works. Actually, I know it doesn't work (no refrigerant charge), but I don't know why the system is empty. Might be a simple leak somewhere easy to fix, or it might be major.

Unless it's a simple, very cheap fix, I'm just going to wait until the winter and either replace it or rebuild it. If the cost is close, I'll opt for the Vintage Air system, since I hear it cools much better than the stock A/C, and I wouldn't mind having more room in my engine compartment, either.

Joe

 

[TZ Racer]

The Vintage Air systems that I've seen installed have all worked very well. The cost of the system, by the time you have all the parts, runs about $1000.

 

[MaineShark]

Thanks. I haven't looked into the problems with mine, or the price of repairs, but considering that I was able to tally up over a grand in repairs when my Ford's A/C gave up the ghost, and that only in the engine compartment*, it seems that the Vintage Air system might be the best way to go. I'll have to get some help diagnosing my stock system, and see what's wrong, before I make any decisions. If it's just a seal somewhere, or something, I'll fix it. If it needs any major parts... I'm replacing it.

The Vintage Air system uses the R134A (obviously - it's new manufacture). Can I re-use my existing R-12 condenser with it? Should I re-use my existing condenser with it? The stock condenser fits well (of course), but I don't know much about A/C systems - would it work well with the new system?

Joe

*I've never even looked under the dash - after I got to that point, I said "I ain't paying $1000 or more to fix the A/C on a car that's only worth $2000!"

 

[TZ Racer]

I think it would be okay to use your old condenser, but the newer ones are probably more efficient. You should definitely call Vintage Air and ask them.

 

[MaineShark]

You should definitely call Vintage Air and ask them.

Probably the best way

I'm kind of curious about the efficiency, actually, since their unit looks smaller than my factory condenser, in your pictures.

In either case, I don't think I'll save any money on it, because I wouldn't install a brand new system and keep my 25-year-old, banged-up condenser.

Joe

 

[MaineShark]

FYI: I checked with Vintage Air, and they suggested not using the original-type condenser, since it will not cool as efficiently with modern refrigerant.

Joe