Can Air Conditioning be added easily to any C3 and if so any ballpark Costs ???

 

Same here I would like to add A\C as well. My 72 add ALL OPTIONS except A\C. I use the lick your forehead and cruise at 65 MPH.

 

Need to define "easy" in a C3 context \M

 

Google is your friend.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=c3+vintage+air

 

Sorry I thought that's what the forum was all about.Please only responsible people need answer.

 

He was trying to help you, he wasn't trying to be rude

 

You can easily add Vintage Air. Well...not really easy, but I have done it to my 71. If you are a purist, you can buy factory replacement from Corvette America or any of the other suppliers. This may be a little more intense job. Mine was original an AC car, but the Vintage Air allows way more engine compartment clearance. I build my old cars with a little new technology and I love the sound of the Hooker Super Comp sidepipes, so room was good! It cost me about $1300, car specific kit with good instructions. If yours wasn't an ac car it may be a little more. NO SWEAT!

 

Thank you very much

 

Easily is always relative.

I also got a Vintage Air kit for about $1400 that I am working on installing myself, but I also got a quote for $1000 to install it (from a friend's shop) if you wanted to go that route.

 

Hi G,
"NO SWEAT"
That's an ironic choice of words!
On my list it wouldn't be under the "easily" column of jobs.
From what people post it appears installing a/c on a convertible is a bit more work in the interior of the car because of the 'cross-bracing' that convertibles have but coupes don't.
There's very little extra room behind those dash pads, especially on the driver's side..
So coupe…convertible?
Regards,
Alan

 

Why settle for a car that is not your exact desire? There are plenty of factory equipped Air conditioned Corvettes out there. If it's on your list of must haves, I personally wouldn't buy something lesser......

I can see you're learning, keep it up, you're doing very good! It's always better to ask, before plopping down the cash!

YOUR car is out there, I guarantee it!

 

$1400. for Vintage Air Kit & about $1,000 - $1500. to have professionally installed. This is NOT an easy job or one that should be attempted by an inexperienced owner. Take a look at the Vintage Air Kit photo that shows all the individual parts. That will give you an idea of what is involved. BIG JOB.

 

GARYFINN: Like you, I'm new to Corvettes, but own other vintage or muscle cars that I work on myself. As new members of any Forum, it benefits us to take time to understand the mood and personalities of the other members. I've been on some motorcycle forums that seem to enjoy spirited opinions and arguments, while others do not allow it. My brief time on this Corvette Forum has taught me that the members are anxious to help and shy away from those that create conflict. Your snappy comment to Maverickmk was uncalled for as he was trying to help you with additional information.
Your previous posts have concentrated on recommendations about cars you are considering buying and show that your Corvette ( or cars in general ) experience might be limited. We're here to help. Try not to burn the bridge. We're all in this together.
Good luck with your search. Tim

 

If your plan is to restore the car then adding Vintage Air is just another step. The dash will need to be removed and well as the heater box, condenser, dryer, compressor, all a/c lines. I am adding Vintage Air to my 1972 A/C car I am doing a body off restore on. It really cleans up the engine bay as a lot of the parts are relocated inside under the dash. Also new components are more modern and smaller in size including the compressor. Their kit allows you to reuse all the factory dash control parts from a A/C car so it LOOKS more factory. They only thing I am reusing is the pulley from the old compressor and a new compressor belt. The kit is very complete. I paid about $1300 and installing myself.

 

Ive had corvettes all my life I'm not a noob I currently own a 2012 GS vert with 6 spd manual.I'm just not that knowledgable about vintage C3's thus the questions.

 

Some of us love the tech and info gained only from a personal experience reply and some are so anxious to help a cut and paste is the fastest way to do that,

While the op didn't ask, I too tell people don't settle buy what you want but I also add or build it,
Some of us are not bucks up enough to get each and every option on our c3 we desire, look at my case I wanted a 69 convertible, road race theme bb ac 4 speed car, if that even exited you tell me how big a stack a toad pelts it would have cost, I bought the most and best I could afford at the time and as money allows build what I want.

Lets face it the antiquated factory ac in c3's is okay but the modern set ups are far better and short of a really nice c3 that is higher dollar how many even have complete much less working ac?

so the op's actual question, can ac be added easy?

Well, what is "easy" to you, some guys find changing their oil or a tire hard,
The ac kits that cost about 1200-1800 are pretty good and if you are a gear head who has done wiring, engine mods and all the other fun stuff then you might just find it easy,

When I do mine I will just take my time and after the install have a good shop check out my work, vacuum it and fill it ....

PS, unless my wife jumps in and says no you aren't and she pays to have it done...which is that case is super duper easy....

 

The answer depends if your car originally had AC or not. If it did and its now missing, you task is much easier and you you can go OEM or vintage air. If not, you'll need to install the GM firewall components. I'm helping MajD add AC to his 79 now and it hasn't been trivial.

 

NO! You cannot add A/C to your car easily. There! It's been said. (Apparently no one else had the b@!!s to say it...)

The engine compartment is tight; there is room for the compressor and other stuff, but it's still a PITA to get it in there and working.

Working under the dash in a C3 is even more difficult. You have to remove the passenger seat and right dash pad, just to get started. Running the ductwork is surely a "joy". And wait till you try to fit the controls up with your heater control.

Yes, it can be done. Yes, there are companies that sell specific kits for C3's. NO! It won't be "easy". If you live in AZ, east TX, NV or Louisiana, you definitely need to do it. Otherwise, open windows on the highway work pretty well.

 

AC can be added to any year C3, including 77 thru 82 that there are no kits for. If you are doing it yourself, your car will be out of service for some time. If you are thinking of having it done, I would recommend a shop over on the East Coast that seems to have a ton of experience (I have no connection with them). I recommend Vintage Air (which I have installed in my 77 - do a search for my write-up).

If you want more info on the shop, PM me.

 

[That doesn't exactly sound like an "easy" installation...]