1973 convertible, wrecked, poorly repaired, non original a/c installed, I think this is from an 82?, got the old A6 compressor. Start over? Want a newer system for sure.

 

I do not know if being factory original is a must for you but the aftermarket AC out there is so much better than factory c3 ever was,
I am saving for it myself....

 

yeah i'll be laying out the same amount to build something somewhat factory, just can't make myself go aftermarket, seems opinion is split as to preference, factory vs aftermarket, just choosing to go with original type stuff

 

I respect the cats who want to go factory original this is one area you will end up spending more for a less efficient system,

 

whats an aftermarket system run ? missing compressor for my 78 a\c

 

A typical system from VintageAir runs around $1200 - $1400.

 

If you had a newer C3 with the better stock A/C system, I would say got stock, but for the older cars, aftermarket is the way to go.

 

just looked it up. $1255 for complete system. might just be in the budget for next winters project. already spent $3000 this winter. don't think the wife will allow any more just yet.

 

I am not poking I promise but any c3 AC system is based on very old antiquated tech,

If you have any c3 and the stock ac is working or close or you must keep it original then go stock, it will simply not cool as good as aftermarket but it will be stock and will cool as good as when it was new,
If your c3 has no ac or it's missing main parts & all messed up and you don't mind it not being stock you are so far ahead going aftermarket. ( even some purists go aftermarket )

Some of you know how cheap I am, I still would like a rack and pinion kit, overdrive tranny and AC but in florida AC is coming first on my 69,

I will do the install then take it to a good ac shop to check my work and vacuum it and fill her up...

 

Similar boat here. I want to convert my power steering to a Borgeson box*, swap in a 200.4r* and change out for VintageAir*. Stock compressor and condenser are gone and there's no telling how bad the rest of the system is. With the cabin heat issues these cars infamous for, AC is mandatory for me. I was roasting this past summer with a black leather interior, no AC, hot air out the vents because of a faulty heat-shut-off valve, and temps in the 90s with over 80% humidity.

So Bats makes a good point. The old stuff can be made to work, and work well for that matter. If originality is your goal, or your stock system can be made to work with little to no cost, then by all means that's the way you should go. But if you want a more modern, reliable system that can possibly freeze you out of these rolling ovens (and I've read several accounts here that VintageAir can do that if the car's got good insulation), then swapping for a new aftermarket system is the way to go.

* yes Bats, I know that when I start swapping out big parts my car turns into a 'project'.

 

Does the Vintage Air systems heat and A/C control fit into the factory location and use the existing vents?

 

With Vintage Air all the way up until 76 the install on the inside will use stock controls and vents. You would not see any difference inside visually but it will work like a modern system - cool and precision adjustments.

And under the hood it will have a new compressor and new hoses to the A/C area. No big deal under hood as far as look difference unless you want bone stock look there.

You would spend much more to have a bone stock appearance under hood and have far inferior performance from it.

 

what about 77 -82

 

Everything will still work except the stock controls need to be adapted to work the sliding controls. Most people replace the stock control plate with one with 3 ***** for temp, fan speed and heat/ac. So still ok but not absolutely stock look like the earlier C3s

 

The last time I tried the stock A/C in my 1974 convertible (top up) was about two years ago. Ambient temp was ~90*F. I couldn't get below 60*F. I thought these systems should get down to 40*F. Am I wrong?

 

My dads case was always if you can get 20 degrees below outside temp in a car you are doing pretty well,

I always stuck those little good brand thermometers in the ac vents of our cars,
I have seen some darn cold readings at the vent but in the vehicle is another matter,
I would be thrilled with 60 in the cockpit of a c3 on a 90 day, I believe 40 would be asking too much but I wouldn't doubt some c3 ac vents would read 40 but not in the full cockpit.

did you play with it like highway speeds or spraying some water on he condenser?
Mom had an 80's tbird that here in Florida never really got cold I stuck a fan blowing into the condenser and man did it help big time.

It will be in 2015 when I add my ac I will play with seeing how cold I can get it at the vent and in the cockpit.

 

The 60*F reading was at the vents with a thermometer. I am not terribly worried about this. I don't think we saw a 90*F temp last summer and certainly my top was not up at any time. It was just one of those "let's see what happens" days to try it out. I thought a 30*F drop from ambient was not bad. But the GM Service Manual says it should be much colder. I'm not going to spend money on something I never use.

 

Like I said I would love 60 on a 90 day,
at the vents though is seldom what the interior temp really is,
I love convertbles hate direct sun on me ironic huh, AC is a must here in orlando and stuck in traffic on a hot day over 100 then with just a rag top my car will never be an igloo.

 

Especially with the humidity. With you hating direct sun on you why are you in sunny FL? I would love to live in Florida especially on the coast. I would spend as much time as possible on the beach.

 

I was born in Jacksonville then when folks divorced I was young we came to Orlando,
I got into the nightclub/music business early on so I stayed here, but that made me up nights more than days, I would go weeks sometimes months never put the top on the 66 daily driver,
Now dad passed this last sept and mom is in nursing home near the house so I have that,
We also spend a lot of time on the beaches, hit it in the late afternoon then stay until way after 12 midnight, we are dirt pirates, we metal detect...you would be surprised how dead Daytona, billed as the worlds most famous beach gets at night even during bike week which is fun....