Which auto A/C system?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Which auto A/C system?
I know this has been done before, and I have searched and read a bunch of them, but now I need the latest and greatest info.
Who has the best aftermarket auto A/C system for a mid year coupe that did not originally come with A/C?
Vintage Air?
Classic Auto Air?
Old Air Products?
Someone else?
WHY?
Now, throw in the statement that I would like to use a new / remanufactured GM A6 compressor (one of the new ones from ALMA products with the double lip seal) and see if that changes your answer any?
Or, tell me why using the A6 compressor is a really bad idea.
I am AT THAT POINT. Time for me to make a decision.
Who has the best aftermarket auto A/C system for a mid year coupe that did not originally come with A/C?
Vintage Air?
Classic Auto Air?
Old Air Products?
Someone else?
WHY?
Now, throw in the statement that I would like to use a new / remanufactured GM A6 compressor (one of the new ones from ALMA products with the double lip seal) and see if that changes your answer any?
Or, tell me why using the A6 compressor is a really bad idea.
I am AT THAT POINT. Time for me to make a decision.
Last edited by emccomas; Jul 16, 2018 at 03:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 65
From: Sugar Land tx
I looked at the others but was 5 years ago. VA looks stock
and works very good. It requires you replace the entire heater box.
They also supply vents for both sides of the radio. None of the
vendors supplies the stock location small vent above the clock.
Look at pictures of my install. Dash doesn't have to be out for install
BTW but mine happened to be. I moved the battery to the driver's side
as well for better access. All move the alternator to driver's side.
My install is not the current generation VA but close: do a search, many
posts on VA. Frankie the Fink installed a current version VA on his split recently.
New version has electronic controls of vents while mine still has mechanical controls.
VA uses the stock heater controls.
https://63c2verte.weebly.com/
and works very good. It requires you replace the entire heater box.
They also supply vents for both sides of the radio. None of the
vendors supplies the stock location small vent above the clock.
Look at pictures of my install. Dash doesn't have to be out for install
BTW but mine happened to be. I moved the battery to the driver's side
as well for better access. All move the alternator to driver's side.
My install is not the current generation VA but close: do a search, many
posts on VA. Frankie the Fink installed a current version VA on his split recently.
New version has electronic controls of vents while mine still has mechanical controls.
VA uses the stock heater controls.
https://63c2verte.weebly.com/
Last edited by mrtexas; Jul 16, 2018 at 03:57 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
After seeing several A/C setups in Corvettes I went with Vintage Air. I was a first time installer and it took 4 days (part time). I just thought the setup had the best integration of components. Plus you get a real defroster and a kick *** heater. I wrote up a list of “tips” for people installing the system in a mid year.
I wasnt bent bent up over using an A6 compressor the size of a torpedo. That won’t fool anybody about what you’ve done.
I wasnt bent bent up over using an A6 compressor the size of a torpedo. That won’t fool anybody about what you’ve done.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 65
From: Sugar Land tx
After seeing several A/C setups in Corvettes I went with Vintage Air. I was a first time installer and it took 4 days (part time). I just thought the setup had the best integration of components. Plus you get a real defroster and a kick *** heater. I wrote up a list of “tips” for people installing the system in a mid year.
I wasnt bent bent up over using an A6 compressor the size of a torpedo. That won’t fool anybody about what you’ve done.
I wasnt bent bent up over using an A6 compressor the size of a torpedo. That won’t fool anybody about what you’ve done.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,539
Likes: 1,971
From: Temple Terrace Florida
I live here in Tampa, FL. I have a black/black 66 coupe. Needless to say, we get 90 degree plus days in summer for about four months. I installed a VA cable controlled system about 10 years ago. The install took me about 20 hours and if I did it again, I could do it in about ten. If it cooled any better, I would have to wear a jacket. At night I cannot use the system on anything but low. I added a solenoid to keep the RPMs up at idle. I used Classic Auto Air for my Chevelle to upgrade and refurbish hoses etc. The system works well, but not like the VA system. Jerry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,331
Likes: 61
From: Sunnyvale CA
I won't say using the A6 is a really bad idea, but even if you do, your car will not look exactly as if it had factory A/C. So you could use a Sanden, as VA supplies, or perhaps the Pro6 Ten, which is an aluminum unit shaped like the A6. It may even be offered with a black finish, or you could paint it yourself. Either way (Sanden or Pro6 Ten), you'd save a lot of weight.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,563
Likes: 658
From: Virginia Beach VA
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
My 66 had Old Air installed when I bought it 6 years ago. It had an A6 compressor that was converted to 134. It started leaking Freon about 3 years ago. I replaced it with the Pro 6 Ten that is offered my Old Air. The system works well. I wish the center vents worked better and the next time I am into my console that will be fixed. The Old Air system doesn’t take up any glove box space but does hang down in the passenger foot well area.
My main reason for using the Pro 6 Ten is that it mounts on the A6 brackets and uses the same hoses. Old Air told me the performance of the Sanden and Pro 6 Ten were the same. Also, the Sanden and Pro 6 Ten pull 3-4 hp vs about 12 for the A6. I am on my second summer with the Pro 6 Ten and it works as it should. I do not have overheating issues and with my top up I never use more than the medium speed. On really hot days I put the top up and leave the windows down. It makes for a nice ride.
Most of the folks on this forum have used the VA system and appear to be very happy with it.
My main reason for using the Pro 6 Ten is that it mounts on the A6 brackets and uses the same hoses. Old Air told me the performance of the Sanden and Pro 6 Ten were the same. Also, the Sanden and Pro 6 Ten pull 3-4 hp vs about 12 for the A6. I am on my second summer with the Pro 6 Ten and it works as it should. I do not have overheating issues and with my top up I never use more than the medium speed. On really hot days I put the top up and leave the windows down. It makes for a nice ride.
Most of the folks on this forum have used the VA system and appear to be very happy with it.
Last edited by MarkC; Jul 16, 2018 at 08:24 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
I live here in Tampa, FL. I have a black/black 66 coupe. Needless to say, we get 90 degree plus days in summer for about four months. I installed a VA cable controlled system about 10 years ago. The install took me about 20 hours and if I did it again, I could do it in about ten. If it cooled any better, I would have to wear a jacket. At night I cannot use the system on anything but low. I added a solenoid to keep the RPMs up at idle. I used Classic Auto Air for my Chevelle to upgrade and refurbish hoses etc. The system works well, but not like the VA system. Jerry
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,617
Likes: 1,547
From: Olive branch Ms
I have 2 VA systems. One for my 66 GTO that is operational. And one for my 61 I'm currently building. I had a few minor issues but obviously not enough to keep me from buying the second time. Theirs is a very good product. I'm not familiar with any of the others. I certainly would check with VA before making the decision to use a different compressor. I used the Sanden 7 piston they suggested. I will be using different vents than they offer for the 61. For my goat I bought all original factory air vents. It's not like looking for one for a 63 but I spent $500 just on the center dash vent buying and getting it rechromed.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
OK< to be honest, I am leaning heavily toward the Vintage Air system, and forgetting about the A6 compressor.
But I do want to figure out how to add a center vent, assuming it is a reasonable (cost and effort) idea.
But I do want to figure out how to add a center vent, assuming it is a reasonable (cost and effort) idea.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Seriously though - if you're worried about air distribution the Vintage Air does the job without the center vent:
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Jul 17, 2018 at 11:01 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10,588
Likes: 8,409
From: San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
2026 Restomod of the Year Winner
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
I went to boot camp in Orlando in the 70’s. There were some very cold mornings!
I have Hotrod Air in my ‘61 (they are now out of business). It works well, but a friend with VA in his ‘62 will freeze you out. He’s no help, though, as he says he went with VA only because they are here in San Antonio.
I have Hotrod Air in my ‘61 (they are now out of business). It works well, but a friend with VA in his ‘62 will freeze you out. He’s no help, though, as he says he went with VA only because they are here in San Antonio.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 759
Likes: 118
From: Fulshear Texas
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Vintage Air works great.
Last edited by 65Bob-bo; Jul 17, 2018 at 04:49 PM. Reason: add
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,696
Likes: 3,090
From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
After seeing several A/C setups in Corvettes I went with Vintage Air. I was a first time installer and it took 4 days (part time). I just thought the setup had the best integration of components. Plus you get a real defroster and a kick *** heater. I wrote up a list of “tips” for people installing the system in a mid year.
I wasnt bent bent up over using an A6 compressor the size of a torpedo. That won’t fool anybody about what you’ve done.
I wasnt bent bent up over using an A6 compressor the size of a torpedo. That won’t fool anybody about what you’ve done.