9492

I would like to have A/C installed in my 1971 Corvette. I would like it to look factory correct. Does anyone have any idea what this would cost?

Curby

If I were you, I would just get a Vintage Air system and put it in the car. It uses the factory controls and vents, but the system is completely self contained and mounted behind the passenger side of the dash.

69VetteFla

I had vintage AC put in my '69. The complete unit cost around $1200 or $1300 and the install cost me around $800. I can tell you that the dealer I bought the car from (Corvette Mike) wanted around $2300 in labor so try to find an authorized installer who can do it for less than $1000 in labor.

Manuel Azevedo

Just put the Vintage Air system in my factory air 68. Things fit pretty good but does hang a bit below the passage side dash a bit but NP, gives better foot clearance for your feet on the drivers side though. Uses all the factory dash vents. Paid 1225. delivered, I would recommend the system if you don't need full originality. One good point is that you have no air box by the exhaust so when not using the system you get almost no heat coming into the cabin like the stock system does! I always thought the heat was just the glass floors and such! But at lease in my case it was the stock air box right on top of the exhaust.

srs244

it should cost you around $2000 installed if you find a reputable installer. since you don't have your location in your profile, it will be impossible for a member to suggest a reputable dealer/installer in your area that they might have had experience with.

7T1vette

It isn't cost effective to convert a non-A/C car into a 'completely accurate' A/C configured car. The coversion is very extensive and would be very costly. It would be wiser to sell your non-A/C car and purchase a similar car with factory A/C.

If you just need a good, functioning A/C system, go with the Vintage Air system.

9492

I live in Phoenix AZ

69VetteFla

Here is the list of authorized dealers in AZ
http://www.vintageair.com/dealers_mf...h.asp?state=AZ

I live in South Fla and there is no way I would have a vette w/o AC. If you ever want to sell your car there is going to be some portion of the buyers that won't be interested because it isn't original AC and some portion of buyers that will want it because they live in FL, AZ or some other hot temp state. I am very happy with mine and wouldn't go selling your car and buying an AC car like someone previously suggested.

69VetteFla

Just re-read and didn't see your last sentence - sorry.

AdamMeh

Same here and I have been looking at buying a C3 car. Since the non air cars are cheaper I have considered going that route and putting in a Vintage air unit myself. From what I can tell I would still save $$ over buying a factory air car due to the savings on the initial car purchase.

Also, from everything I have read, the vintage air units work FAR better than a factory AC system.

1969RAY

If you have time, a few tools, and just some mechanical ability, this is something that you can do at home. You may have to take it in to an AC shop to get it charged but it's not really that hard to install. It comes with decent instructions and a support phone number that is better than avarage. If you order it, you can check the instructions before you surrender to a shop for installation.

vairxpert

I think the Vintage Air sounds like a good deal. On the other hand if you wanted to keep it "looking" original.....every few weeks a Bubba seems to turn up in here that guts his factory A/C system in order to gain a ½ HP from the parasitic draw of the free wheeling compressor clutch plus the tremendous weight savings of about 80 lbs on a 3,300+ lb car.

You can probably pick up a whole factory system pretty cheap off one of those Bubbas. Just be sure to see pictures before buying as odds are Bubba didn't take care while ripping out many of the components.

69VetteFla

That cracks me up

Sunstroked

Nuff said. I'm in the far east valley myself. I have factory a/c in my 72 and I'll get it up and running during my restoration. I have a/c in my 92 as well, I contemplated using an R134 conversion and was talked out of it by a couple of a/c guys. R134 uses higher operating pressures and temps and just increases underhood temps. The last thing you need in a corvette. I took the a/c course online and can buy R12 locally. The factory R12 in my 92 out performs my newer cars and truck a/c systems.

rugerm44

My vintage ac gets down to 34 to 36 at the vents.Engine runs 180 deg all day long in 100 deg temp.It's a 134 sys.I can tell any difference in temp under the hood.

cfish04

Can anyone recommend a dealer to install vintage air in a 1973 very in Austin tx? Sorry for brining up an old thread but this had info I was interested in.

68/70Vette

To look factory correct. it's going to be expensive. Since so many people have bought Vintage Air, you can buy all the pieces..so many of these pieces shouldn't be that expensive. All the vacuum and electric solenoids are available as new repro ($$$). For the center gear shifter console, the air conditioner/heater controller is still available as a repro piece.. It very nice. Whether you go stock or Vintage Air, you will still have to buy this piece. Buy it now while still available...I think it's about $160.00.

Factory stock takes up a lot of engine room. The factory cold air plenum is about one inch away from the exhaust manifolds...a horribly inefficient thermodynamic situation.

To install the factory air conditioning, I'm pretty sure that for all practical purposes, you'll have to remove the engine...particularly if it's a BB.

BeansWorld

cfish04,

Go to the Vintage Air website link below, you can enter the first three digits of your zip code to find closest authorized dealers. My local quotes were $1800 for installation; FWIW I did the installation myself and had around $200 in expenses (including evacuation and charging of system). I'm by no means a mechanic, just thorough. If you can't / don't want to remove your hood, this job is not for u.

http://www.vintageair.com/dealers_zip.asp

Regards,

Eugene

ajrothm

Vintage Air themselves are in San Antonio, you could just take it to them a few hours away and cut out any potential middle man BS.

Here in Houston, Roger Lewis Makeovers is the premier Vintage Air installer.. He is one of the biggest VA dealers in texas. He does great work and a real nice guy. He gets about $2600 installed last time I checked with him. He did my dad's 67 coupe and he charged us $3k but he had to delicately remove all of the factory AC system too.

Roadster71

I see you have a convertible. Have you experienced any cowl shake after removal of the bracing required for the install?