Aftermarket AC addition?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Katy TX
Aftermarket AC addition?
Folks, I live in Houston TX and mother nature is about to crank up the thermostat on us Texans... 
I have been toying with the Ideal of adding AC to my 69 vette that was not originally equipped on the car.
Any advice, personal experinces or Opinions you have would be great?
1. Should I even do it, Will it really keep you cool when fighting the engine and exhaust heat that gets in the cockpit,
Will it reduce the value dramatically.
2. Since it was not equipped with AC is it a real mess to add?
3. What are some really good After Market AC kits?
4. Whats the going cost to have it Added?
I think if it really works good and makes the car usefull in the summer to go out and play it will definately be worth it. If it is going to kinda help a little then I cant imagine its worth the trouble.
Any one with pics of how they added AC to A non AC car would be great!
Many thanks!
I have been toying with the Ideal of adding AC to my 69 vette that was not originally equipped on the car.
Any advice, personal experinces or Opinions you have would be great?
1. Should I even do it, Will it really keep you cool when fighting the engine and exhaust heat that gets in the cockpit,
Will it reduce the value dramatically.2. Since it was not equipped with AC is it a real mess to add?
3. What are some really good After Market AC kits?
4. Whats the going cost to have it Added?
I think if it really works good and makes the car usefull in the summer to go out and play it will definately be worth it. If it is going to kinda help a little then I cant imagine its worth the trouble.
Any one with pics of how they added AC to A non AC car would be great!
Many thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,499
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Folks, I live in Houston TX and mother nature is about to crank up the thermostat on us Texans...
I have been toying with the Ideal of adding AC to my 69 vette that was not originally equipped on the car.
Any advice, personal experinces or Opinions you have would be great?
1. Should I even do it, Will it really keep you cool when fighting the engine and exhaust heat that gets in the cockpit, Will it reduce the value dramatically.
2. Since it was not equipped with AC is it a real mess to add?
3. What are some really good After Market AC kits?
4. Whats the going cost to have it Added?
I think if it really works good and makes the car usefull in the summer to go out and play it will definately be worth it. If it is going to kinda help a little then I cant imagine its worth the trouble.
Any one with pics of how they added AC to A non AC car would be great!
Many thanks!
I have been toying with the Ideal of adding AC to my 69 vette that was not originally equipped on the car.
Any advice, personal experinces or Opinions you have would be great?
1. Should I even do it, Will it really keep you cool when fighting the engine and exhaust heat that gets in the cockpit,
Will it reduce the value dramatically.2. Since it was not equipped with AC is it a real mess to add?
3. What are some really good After Market AC kits?
4. Whats the going cost to have it Added?
I think if it really works good and makes the car usefull in the summer to go out and play it will definately be worth it. If it is going to kinda help a little then I cant imagine its worth the trouble.
Any one with pics of how they added AC to A non AC car would be great!
Many thanks!
The unit is installed behind and under the glove box (see first pic). Also, the firewall area of the engine compartment is smooth (second pic).
Pics below
Last edited by ST31; May 7, 2008 at 10:25 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Katy TX
ST31,
Do you mind telling us what it costed for the install?
And Wow that is a very clean...Sweet looking vette!!!
Looks like you have some ohter toys in the garage as well! I like the camaro, I'm trying to plant the seed with my wife that I need a 69 camaro in the stable as well!
Any one had AC added on a bumpers C3?
Do you mind telling us what it costed for the install?
And Wow that is a very clean...Sweet looking vette!!!
Looks like you have some ohter toys in the garage as well! I like the camaro, I'm trying to plant the seed with my wife that I need a 69 camaro in the stable as well!
Any one had AC added on a bumpers C3?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,499
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
ST31,
Do you mind telling us what it costed for the install?
And Wow that is a very clean...Sweet looking vette!!!
Looks like you have some ohter toys in the garage as well! I like the camaro, I'm trying to plant the seed with my wife that I need a 69 camaro in the stable as well!
Any one had AC added on a bumpers C3?
Do you mind telling us what it costed for the install?
And Wow that is a very clean...Sweet looking vette!!!
Looks like you have some ohter toys in the garage as well! I like the camaro, I'm trying to plant the seed with my wife that I need a 69 camaro in the stable as well!
Any one had AC added on a bumpers C3?
In regards to the ac, I had other work done at the same time, but I believe it was about $2,500. It is the only way you can really enjoy the cars during the summer in Texas unless you are driving late in the day or at night. Sad to say, but we never drive the 63 convertible much because it is just to hot.
Last edited by ST31; May 7, 2008 at 12:25 PM.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
I'm just west of you in Sealy and I installed a Vintage Air system in my 76 that had ac before.
I'm not sure what a shop would charge to install, but I would guess at least $400 to $800. The system itself is about $1100.
That's the evaporator box that goes under the dash on the passenger side. (I did some insulating while I was in there).
I'm not sure what a shop would charge to install, but I would guess at least $400 to $800. The system itself is about $1100.
That's the evaporator box that goes under the dash on the passenger side. (I did some insulating while I was in there).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
ONe of the guys on another forum has Classic Air in his '69. Cold enough to freeze the ***** off a brass monkey*, and unless you go looking for it you won't see it.
* For the uninformed, a monkey is the plate the old time ships used to store cannonballs. Originally made of iron, the plate would rust and the cannonballs would be impossible to pickup and use. They then made the plate from brass- no rust-- but then they found that in very cold weather, the brass plate would contract and the cannonballs would roll away. The term "Freeze the ***** off a Brass Monkey"
* For the uninformed, a monkey is the plate the old time ships used to store cannonballs. Originally made of iron, the plate would rust and the cannonballs would be impossible to pickup and use. They then made the plate from brass- no rust-- but then they found that in very cold weather, the brass plate would contract and the cannonballs would roll away. The term "Freeze the ***** off a Brass Monkey"
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,510
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
* For the uninformed, a monkey is the plate the old time ships used to store cannonballs. Originally made of iron, the plate would rust and the cannonballs would be impossible to pickup and use. They then made the plate from brass- no rust-- but then they found that in very cold weather, the brass plate would contract and the cannonballs would roll away. The term "Freeze the ***** off a Brass Monkey"
Is there any truth to this?
I used to tell people Denise Richards was Kramers daughter.
Is there any truth to this?
I used to tell people Denise Richards was Kramers daughter.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 363
From: Lubbock Texas
Thanks,
DC
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,499
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Here is a link that describes the kit along with pics and has list prices.
http://www.classicautoair.com/Corvette6876.asp
http://www.classicautoair.com/Corvette6876.asp
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 206
From: Pearland Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
roger lewis makeover
Folks, I live in Houston TX and mother nature is about to crank up the thermostat on us Texans...
I have been toying with the Ideal of adding AC to my 69 vette that was not originally equipped on the car.
Any advice, personal experinces or Opinions you have would be great?
1. Should I even do it, Will it really keep you cool when fighting the engine and exhaust heat that gets in the cockpit, Will it reduce the value dramatically.
2. Since it was not equipped with AC is it a real mess to add?
3. What are some really good After Market AC kits?
4. Whats the going cost to have it Added?
I think if it really works good and makes the car usefull in the summer to go out and play it will definately be worth it. If it is going to kinda help a little then I cant imagine its worth the trouble.
Any one with pics of how they added AC to A non AC car would be great!
Many thanks!
I have been toying with the Ideal of adding AC to my 69 vette that was not originally equipped on the car.
Any advice, personal experinces or Opinions you have would be great?
1. Should I even do it, Will it really keep you cool when fighting the engine and exhaust heat that gets in the cockpit,
Will it reduce the value dramatically.2. Since it was not equipped with AC is it a real mess to add?
3. What are some really good After Market AC kits?
4. Whats the going cost to have it Added?
I think if it really works good and makes the car usefull in the summer to go out and play it will definately be worth it. If it is going to kinda help a little then I cant imagine its worth the trouble.
Any one with pics of how they added AC to A non AC car would be great!
Many thanks!
http://www.rogerlewismakeover.com/
I have seen some incredible work by this man.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Katy TX
I called
http://www.rogerlewismakeover.com/
And he said it was 2200.00 turn key drop off and pick up.
http://www.rogerlewismakeover.com/
And he said it was 2200.00 turn key drop off and pick up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 5
From: Orlando,Fl,USA
I did the Hot Rod air install myself in a 77 that was factory A/C. It dosn't make any difference if it was previous A/C or not as nothing is utilized from the old A/C or heating system. I'm sure the other mentioned systems are equal. The system works great but the nature of the car tends to let heat in from many area's. What you need to do is insulate the fire wall and the floor heavily as this is one of the great heat culprits for the cockpit. I went as fat as to place a insulation mat on top of the auto tranny between the space on top of it and under the tunnel area. I did the floor on the inside under the carpets and when I had the dash off I did the firewall and tunnel. It was tight after that so I had to really squeeze stuff back together upon install. I was thinking of wrapping the exhaust pipes also but still havn't done that. Windows need tinting and all air leaks through windows and t-tops need to be sealed as much as possible. Also the t tops give off heat so if you can put some insuation in there it will help. Oh yea get an electric fan also. I run both electric and clutch fan together to help get air moving through that condensor.
Valuewise I'd say it will cause some depreciation if you are into originality but If I'm driving that bad boy I want it cool or it sits in a garage.
Valuewise I'd say it will cause some depreciation if you are into originality but If I'm driving that bad boy I want it cool or it sits in a garage.
