[C2] Installing AC - costs, impact
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 165
Likes: 5
Installing AC - costs, impact
hello guys,
I am trying to find a C2 coupe to buy soon, and one issue I have is being in SoCal, if I want to drive this thing around a bit, I need AC.
If I find a car I want that does not have factory AC or vintage AC, how easy is it (and what is rough cost) to install an aftermarket AC, and the crucial question is:
Can a system be installed that does not affect/damage the value of the car in terms of judging? I just don't want to butcher a 99 point car to get AC.
Appreciate your feedback!
I am trying to find a C2 coupe to buy soon, and one issue I have is being in SoCal, if I want to drive this thing around a bit, I need AC.
If I find a car I want that does not have factory AC or vintage AC, how easy is it (and what is rough cost) to install an aftermarket AC, and the crucial question is:
Can a system be installed that does not affect/damage the value of the car in terms of judging? I just don't want to butcher a 99 point car to get AC.
Appreciate your feedback!
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,901
Likes: 751
From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
hello guys,
I am trying to find a C2 coupe to buy soon, and one issue I have is being in SoCal, if I want to drive this thing around a bit, I need AC.
If I find a car I want that does not have factory AC or vintage AC, how easy is it (and what is rough cost) to install an aftermarket AC, and the crucial question is:
Can a system be installed that does not affect/damage the value of the car in terms of judging? I just don't want to butcher a 99 point car to get AC.
Appreciate your feedback!
I am trying to find a C2 coupe to buy soon, and one issue I have is being in SoCal, if I want to drive this thing around a bit, I need AC.
If I find a car I want that does not have factory AC or vintage AC, how easy is it (and what is rough cost) to install an aftermarket AC, and the crucial question is:
Can a system be installed that does not affect/damage the value of the car in terms of judging? I just don't want to butcher a 99 point car to get AC.
Appreciate your feedback!
Bill
Last edited by wmf62; Aug 31, 2018 at 07:16 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,155
Likes: 9,464
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
If you add ac to a top flight car the next time it’s judged it can only get a second flight
Last edited by Nowhere Man; Aug 31, 2018 at 07:49 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 561
From: Macedonia Ohio
Other than points. If you install it yourself it will cost just south of 2,000. It is a big job but can be done if you are handy. The only permanent mod is a drain hole in the upper passenger foot well. It is a very nice and effective system. I have been enjoying mine since 2006 with no issues.
Last edited by woodsdesign; Aug 31, 2018 at 08:32 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Recently codified NCRS rules now mandate a minimum 300 pt deduction for C2 Corvettes for aftermarket air. To wit, yes that puts a Top Flight out of reach - the new guidance was specifically to exclude such cars from the top tier of flight awards...
Some now call this the "Frankie the Fink deduction". As if I'm not accused of enough nonsense already
.
OEM-style A/C, painstakingly installed to appear original, with no other signs pointing to the car being non-A/C originally will receive the usual scrutiny as factory pieces as to originality and condition.
Vintage Air A/C basic kit is in the $1,200-$1,350 range (assuming you do the work yourself); installers typically charge (around here) $1,000 labor. If you want some "extras" for the install; like original DS alternator brackets, larger or electric fan, etc.. Those are all on top of these costs.
I developed a 'hit list' of tips for Vintage Air A/C installs I'll gladly share - much of it is 63 focused but most of it can be universally applied...
In terms of resale value, I think its a plus, especially with a coupe in the warmest areas of the country. The other benefit is you get "real" defrosters and not the lame system as in the original configuration. For a driven car there is no better mod to make. You will sacrifice some glove box space to support this upgrade.
Yes, this mod is supposedly reversible...it would be a monumental PITA to do so though - especially if you don't already have the factory heater components in usable shape. I don't know of a single instance of anyone "uninstalling" Vintage Air to return to the factory setup...
HAVING SAID ALL THAT - there is now a new NCRS judging class - concourse I think its called, where cars slightly modified from stock can compete. I doubt it will ever have the panache of a high flight award though.
Some now call this the "Frankie the Fink deduction". As if I'm not accused of enough nonsense already
.OEM-style A/C, painstakingly installed to appear original, with no other signs pointing to the car being non-A/C originally will receive the usual scrutiny as factory pieces as to originality and condition.
Vintage Air A/C basic kit is in the $1,200-$1,350 range (assuming you do the work yourself); installers typically charge (around here) $1,000 labor. If you want some "extras" for the install; like original DS alternator brackets, larger or electric fan, etc.. Those are all on top of these costs.
I developed a 'hit list' of tips for Vintage Air A/C installs I'll gladly share - much of it is 63 focused but most of it can be universally applied...
In terms of resale value, I think its a plus, especially with a coupe in the warmest areas of the country. The other benefit is you get "real" defrosters and not the lame system as in the original configuration. For a driven car there is no better mod to make. You will sacrifice some glove box space to support this upgrade.
Yes, this mod is supposedly reversible...it would be a monumental PITA to do so though - especially if you don't already have the factory heater components in usable shape. I don't know of a single instance of anyone "uninstalling" Vintage Air to return to the factory setup...
HAVING SAID ALL THAT - there is now a new NCRS judging class - concourse I think its called, where cars slightly modified from stock can compete. I doubt it will ever have the panache of a high flight award though.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Aug 31, 2018 at 09:10 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 484
From: El Dorado Hills CA
Since you haven’t purchased yet, I’d suggest you figure out what you want in a car. If you want an NCRS car, find one with AC. If you don’t want an NCRS car, my preference would be:
1) I’d still try to find a car with stock AC.
2) Find one with vintage air installed
3) buy one and install it
It took me 3 years to find a 67 L79 with AC. Engine options will also dictate just how hard it will be to find an original.
Ed
1) I’d still try to find a car with stock AC.
2) Find one with vintage air installed
3) buy one and install it
It took me 3 years to find a 67 L79 with AC. Engine options will also dictate just how hard it will be to find an original.
Ed
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,503
Likes: 1,715
From: High Mountains of New Mexico
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C3 of the Year Finalist
Put a good Vintage Air system in it so you can enjoy driving it, and if you want it judged in NCRS, go the Concours route.
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Race Director
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From: NorCal
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
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i drove up to Vintage Air yesterday and picked up a duct and louvre kit for my 1961. I’m almost finished installing it. Ironically, it just got too hot outside and I had to take a break! Not only will it position the vents closer to my face, but it will clean up the PO installed Hotrod Air debacle.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,901
Likes: 751
From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
Hah, now I see where the name came from!
i drove up to Vintage Air yesterday and picked up a duct and louvre kit for my 1961. I’m almost finished installing it. Ironically, it just got too hot outside and I had to take a break! Not only will it position the vents closer to my face, but it will clean up the PO installed Hotrod Air debacle.
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10,612
Likes: 8,450
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
Just need a couple of zip ties to pull up the duct.
A perfect fit!
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,901
Likes: 751
From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Sugar Land tx
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
I am headed down the same road, getting ready to install A/C in my 64 small block coupe.
I bought a factory A/C dash at Carlisle to take advantage of the center A/C vent.
I have already relocated the alternator to the driver's side. Next up is to install the factory A/C exhaust manifold on the passenger side (I got a great deal on the correct manifold at Carlisle). Still undecided about moving the battery to the driver's side. Apparently not a necessity with the Vintage Air system.
I am also undecided on the actual compressor that I will use. I want to keep the under hood "looking" stock, as least to the casual observer, so an ALMA Products new A6 compressor (with the dual front seal) may be used instead of the Sanden compressor. I am weighing the pros and cons of this decision.
I also have to figure out how to "engineer" my controls, since the factory A/C dash also has the two extra holes for factory A/C controls. There are lots of options there.
I am wondering (and I know I need to contact Vintage Air about this) if I should order the kit for a factory A/C car. I wonder what assumptions are made by Vintage Air with that kit over the non factory A/C kit.
Plenty of research still left to do.
PS: I did actually break down and order an NCRS 63-64 judging manual. Such a fine piece of work, and dead on ***** accurate
I bought a factory A/C dash at Carlisle to take advantage of the center A/C vent.
I have already relocated the alternator to the driver's side. Next up is to install the factory A/C exhaust manifold on the passenger side (I got a great deal on the correct manifold at Carlisle). Still undecided about moving the battery to the driver's side. Apparently not a necessity with the Vintage Air system.
I am also undecided on the actual compressor that I will use. I want to keep the under hood "looking" stock, as least to the casual observer, so an ALMA Products new A6 compressor (with the dual front seal) may be used instead of the Sanden compressor. I am weighing the pros and cons of this decision.
I also have to figure out how to "engineer" my controls, since the factory A/C dash also has the two extra holes for factory A/C controls. There are lots of options there.
I am wondering (and I know I need to contact Vintage Air about this) if I should order the kit for a factory A/C car. I wonder what assumptions are made by Vintage Air with that kit over the non factory A/C kit.
Plenty of research still left to do.
PS: I did actually break down and order an NCRS 63-64 judging manual. Such a fine piece of work, and dead on ***** accurate
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
I will pull the entire dash when I do this. My dash is in nice shape, and I just noticed that the previous owner did not have the dash ends painted body color. I won't either until I decide on whether or not I will replace the hood.
I need to take a close look at the C60 section of the 64 AIM, and see what all I will need to change / modify / whatever.