AC worth it?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 809
Likes: 1
From: Mass
AC worth it?
After driving to Salisbury beach this summer with windows down, ttops off, and literally dying of heat stroke, I am starting to look into insulation and AC. My car has a few things from the AC system - but will need most if not all parts. I started to price the systems out and noticed it will be alot more than I had thought it would. So my question, is the AC you have in your vette worth it? Or would installing insulation suffice and prohibit me from passing out while driving?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Are you saying your car originally had factory air? If so, purchase the AIM, make a list of the factory parts you need, replace those, change to R-134, and you're in business. Much cheaper than the aftermarket add-on kits.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 809
Likes: 1
From: Mass
Well as of right now, I have the controller in the shift console (not sure if it works or not), some of the duct work, heat box, but i don't have a compressor, evap., or any of the other big items.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
So you are a student perhaps on a limited budget. To get the parts from what I've seen would run $800-$1220 plus labor. In your part of the country I would make that a future project and insulate. The floor yes and more important the fire wall, hood insulation nearest the window. Here's one thing you could try - in a dark garage take a flashlight aim it at the firewall and "see" what leaks you might have - then plug them ---- ribbon caulk/etc. A simple thing first.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 809
Likes: 1
From: Mass
So you are a student perhaps on a limited budget. To get the parts from what I've seen would run $800-$1220 plus labor. In your part of the country I would make that a future project and insulate. The floor yes and more important the fire wall, hood insulation nearest the window. Here's one thing you could try - in a dark garage take a flashlight aim it at the firewall and "see" what leaks you might have - then plug them ---- ribbon caulk/etc. A simple thing first.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The stock AC system is great. It was designed to cool full sized sedans so if it's operating correctly it will have no problem cooling your corvette. 
Check this link for usual issues/fixes to reduce heat in the cabin.
http://home.comcast.net/~chadwick.ro...entilation.htm
Check this link for usual issues/fixes to reduce heat in the cabin.
http://home.comcast.net/~chadwick.ro...entilation.htm
Last edited by gq82; Jul 15, 2008 at 04:37 PM.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 2
At least so far, I've driven on several 95+ days w/ a lot of humidity and been fine w/ no AC. Sure it's not as "comfortable" as driving in a newer car w/ AC, but I didn't buy the vette for a comfortable, luxury drive. I'm definitely going to do something about the heat in the floor area, but other than that, I think I'm going to survive w/ no AC considering the cost of adding an aftermarket system. Is it really that unbearable for some of you guys?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 721
Likes: 105
From: hernando fl
when i was young and struggling to survive,i went without air in the summer and heat in the winter and it was miserable.its not that its unbearable i just won't do it again. i have my "toy" cars for fun and enjoyment,and its not fun or enjoyable to roast in a BB convertable,or any other car. i must be getting soft, i can't believe i just said that.
