Sanden A/C Conversion?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 111
Likes: 2
From: Warren Ohio
Sanden A/C Conversion?
Since the R-4 A/C compressor blew up on my '79, I've been looking for
reliable options. NPD offers a Sanden compressor upgrade kit complete
with hoses, brackets, o rings, and an accumulator for $499.95 (part no.
C-9170B-104B) This conversion is listed for a Chevelle but it looks like it would fit my '79. Have any of you tried a similar upgrade? The only other
qualification for mounting the Sanden compressor seems to be whether the mounting bracket is for a short or long water pump. Which one does
a Corvette C-3 350 use? Thanks for your help!
reliable options. NPD offers a Sanden compressor upgrade kit complete
with hoses, brackets, o rings, and an accumulator for $499.95 (part no.
C-9170B-104B) This conversion is listed for a Chevelle but it looks like it would fit my '79. Have any of you tried a similar upgrade? The only other
qualification for mounting the Sanden compressor seems to be whether the mounting bracket is for a short or long water pump. Which one does
a Corvette C-3 350 use? Thanks for your help!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Corvette short pump. Check Vintage Air.
Note for R134, I would use a smaller orifice tube like the Ford (2 O-Rings) Red .062 in place of the GM White .072.
I replaced the R4 compressor with a ND 6P (similar to Sanden 508) which uses less HP & works great. Compressor, custom brackets & hoses to stock A/C system.
Note for R134, I would use a smaller orifice tube like the Ford (2 O-Rings) Red .062 in place of the GM White .072.
I replaced the R4 compressor with a ND 6P (similar to Sanden 508) which uses less HP & works great. Compressor, custom brackets & hoses to stock A/C system.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,688
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
I bought my system from Nostalgic Air Parts.
Everything fit nice and works good with R134.
The only difference with you 79 and my 73 is the 73 used a VIR valve which I had to eliminate.
My post
Everything fit nice and works good with R134.
The only difference with you 79 and my 73 is the 73 used a VIR valve which I had to eliminate.
My post
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
you can buy just the Sanden A/C bracket from Allan Grove
http://www.alangrovecomponents.com/B...Short_Pump.htm
http://www.alangrovecomponents.com/B...Short_Pump.htm
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Alta Loma CA
My brackets came from Grove. Hoses from a local shop. I would add a new crossflow condensor.
There were no kits when I did mine. But it will freeze you out.
If someone has a complete kit with condensor, compressor and brackets I would sure take a look at it.
There were no kits when I did mine. But it will freeze you out.
If someone has a complete kit with condensor, compressor and brackets I would sure take a look at it.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 111
Likes: 2
From: Warren Ohio
Thanks for your help! I have inquiries in at both Vintage Air and Nostalgic Air asking what
"kits" they might have available to allow me to upgrade my system and get rid of the R-4 compressor. I don't understand the previous post that advises using a .062 instead of a .072 orfice tube. How do you do this in a Corvette? What is a ND6P compressor?
"kits" they might have available to allow me to upgrade my system and get rid of the R-4 compressor. I don't understand the previous post that advises using a .062 instead of a .072 orfice tube. How do you do this in a Corvette? What is a ND6P compressor?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
ND 6P is the compressor (similar to Sanden 508) which I used. Not relevant, you can read it as Sanden for your purposes.
The Ford orifice tubes have 2 o-rings which helps w/ R134 so some shops are using them in GM systems. A/C repair shops are not A/C designers.
Some factory a/c systems were converted from R12 to R134 by just reducing the orifice tube size! So use a smaller orifice tube like .062 in place of the GM White .072. The orifice tube goes in the line to the evap. & there is a connection to replace. If one was not switching to R134, the orifice tube would normally be checked for debris.
The Ford orifice tubes have 2 o-rings which helps w/ R134 so some shops are using them in GM systems. A/C repair shops are not A/C designers.
Some factory a/c systems were converted from R12 to R134 by just reducing the orifice tube size! So use a smaller orifice tube like .062 in place of the GM White .072. The orifice tube goes in the line to the evap. & there is a connection to replace. If one was not switching to R134, the orifice tube would normally be checked for debris.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 111
Likes: 2
From: Warren Ohio
Sanden A/C Converson?
Thanks for your help! In case anyone else out there had the same problem; Classic Auto Manufacturing of Tampa FL. sells a complete kit for Corvette A/C upgrades that consist of; A Sanden style compressor, All
mounting brackets (Alan Grove), Compressor hoses, O rings, Hardware,and either a filter-drier or accumulator (depending on year)
for $499.95. Contact Ron Marino @ (813)251-2356 X 7022. Seems like a good deal to me. Have any of you tried this?
mounting brackets (Alan Grove), Compressor hoses, O rings, Hardware,and either a filter-drier or accumulator (depending on year)
for $499.95. Contact Ron Marino @ (813)251-2356 X 7022. Seems like a good deal to me. Have any of you tried this?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 850
Likes: 36
From: Providence RI
Thanks for your help! In case anyone else out there had the same problem; Classic Auto Manufacturing of Tampa FL. sells a complete kit for Corvette A/C upgrades that consist of; A Sanden style compressor, All
mounting brackets (Alan Grove), Compressor hoses, O rings, Hardware,and either a filter-drier or accumulator (depending on year)
for $499.95. Contact Ron Marino @ (813)251-2356 X 7022. Seems like a good deal to me. Have any of you tried this?
mounting brackets (Alan Grove), Compressor hoses, O rings, Hardware,and either a filter-drier or accumulator (depending on year)
for $499.95. Contact Ron Marino @ (813)251-2356 X 7022. Seems like a good deal to me. Have any of you tried this?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Hard to get away from China.
Sanden has 4 production plants in China as well as Poland and Mexico.
Shenyang Sanden Automotive Air-Conditioning Co Ltd
Sanden (Shanghai) Automotive Air-Conditioning Co Ltd
Shanghai Sanden Behr Automotive Air Conditioning Co Ltd
Tianjin Sanden Automotive Air-Conditioning Co., Ltd.
Then it's even harder to tell which parts manufacturers supply Sanden and other look a likes.
Sanden has 4 production plants in China as well as Poland and Mexico.
Shenyang Sanden Automotive Air-Conditioning Co Ltd
Sanden (Shanghai) Automotive Air-Conditioning Co Ltd
Shanghai Sanden Behr Automotive Air Conditioning Co Ltd
Tianjin Sanden Automotive Air-Conditioning Co., Ltd.
Then it's even harder to tell which parts manufacturers supply Sanden and other look a likes.
134, 508, 69, ac, bracket, c3, c9170b, compressor, conversion, converting, corvette, modified, mounting, options, replacement, saden, sanden
