Anyone dealt with Hot Rod Air out of Selma, TX? They offer a replacement A/C (everything included) and I would like to know about anyones experience with their product. Think I'll go by next week & check it out. It uses the Sanden compressor & comes with evap, cond, dryer & hoses.

 

I looked at all the aftermarket companies and choose Classic auto air because they had the better vette setup. I'm in the middle of the job now and have been posting about it on the Tech forum. So far it's been 50-50 in respect to the kit and installation. Some of the things are pretty good others could and should have been better designed. Follow along before you decide and spend $1,100.00
Gary

 

I went with that system on my 77 a few years ago. I did the install myself & I'm not an a/c expert. When it was done I took it to an a/c guy to have it vac'ed & charged and he said I did a good job on the install.
Pro's:
1 Moderate difficulty of installation. ( 2-3 weeks to complete on my scheduale)
2. Quite and smooth compressor.
3. More room in engine compartment
4. Blows cold. (I was getting 42 deg main vent temps in 87 degree day)
5. $, I think it ran about $1,200. total which was the same as a total repair estimate for the old A4 system. ( but that would have cost more as I found broken items upon removal of the old system)
6. You don't need to have a previous A/C setup for installation.
7. All new parts. nothing from old system is used except dash vent ball directors & center upper dash defrost duct which had to be cut down.
8. Good tech support from the company. There was always someone to help with any questions I had.
9 Clean looking unit when completed.

Cons.
1. Noisy blower motor. It can be heard on low speed but high speed sounds loud.
2. I had to fabricate a mounting bracket for the passenger side floor mount for the underdash evap unit. Not a big deal but something I had to do in order to mount it right. I used thier mounts and improved upon it with twisting & drilling.
3. Super tight fit under dash. I had to really compress things in order to line up screw holes to reassemble dash.
4.Blend mix adjuster is on the evap unit below passenger side knee area.
5.Very tight fit that I had to struggle with for accumulator mounting. I had to push it down real hard in order for it to clear the hood. I actually chipped hood when closing it against this unit. So be careful that you have sufficient clearance before closing hood. also routing the A/c hose to this area was very tight.
6. I bought an electric fan to supplement the still existing clutch fan. They say it isn't needed but my a/c guy suggested it and I'd say its worth it. The fan unit cost me about $50 and its wired into the compressor power so it kicks in when the compressor does.
7. A/c control panal. I used the one they supplied, which is a good one but there is no room in the knee well area . I ended up taking the old one out and mocking up a fit useing that space. I still don't have it right But it can be done. You have some fabrication with that as well.

In general I'm happy with the unit. I live in florida and my son drives this car as a daily driver and can tolerate the 95 deg/humid heat alot better than before. These old vettes can never be as good as a modern car a/c system would be imo due to the fact that there are too many air leaks coming into the car especially at hwy speeds & insulation sucks. I have tried to insulate as much as possible. When the area under the dash was exposed during install I placed foil back insulation to the firewall as much as possible which also contributed to the tight fit. I also did the floors but heat still finds its way in. So window tint, general tightness & insulation will play a big part in keeping these old cars cool. I find that the car interior runs cooler when at idle or low speeds which suggests to me that hot drivetrain air is still infiltrating the compartment. I wish I could just foam insulate everything!
I had some pictures from the install from a few years back, I'll try & find them but search the threads as someone else just did a similar unit from a different company, I would shop around to find out what is out there now. When I bought mine there were only 2 companies selling them.

 

Thanks dogboy, that's the kind of info you can't pay money for.

 

Search the C2 section for Classic Auto air. There is a guy there who has installed Vintage air and Classic Auto air on different cars, I think he said he has installed 12 A/C systems total. I guess he is a Vette Mechanic or or something. He gave a good comparison between those two systems. I don't know if he has any experience with Hot Rod Air.

He has Vintage Air on his car, but actually prefers Classic Auto Air.

When my heater core broke I considered getting A/C in the car, but my bank account is up to the task at this time

~Jay