Adding air conditioning
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 495
Likes: 1
From: Spokane Washington
Adding air conditioning
I am considering adding air conditioning to my 72 base engine convertible that I am working on. Ok I know who needs air conditioning in a convertible. I live in the desert and my wife has the early stages of MS, and she needs air conditioning or the desease effects her more. She likes to drive and ride in the vettes we own, she drive a 90 vert as her daily driver. She rides with the tops up most of the time.
My question is has anyone put in an after market air system that works and still appears stock.
cal
My question is has anyone put in an after market air system that works and still appears stock.
cal
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 41
From: Plano TX
There wasn't a direct bolt in aftermarket system out there last year when I looked. However I would contact Vintage Air since there were rumors they had one in the works.
Their small system moves all heater, defrost and AC into one unit that might just fit under your dash (top right area). Not sure if you have a glove box and if so you may loose storage in it.
I have an 80 with factory AC which is not the best. I've consider an integrated system like Vintage air since it would allow me to remove the huge box from inside the engine compartment and run a better compressor with new 134 freon. I could get mine to work OK but would rather just replace it.
Dave
Their small system moves all heater, defrost and AC into one unit that might just fit under your dash (top right area). Not sure if you have a glove box and if so you may loose storage in it.
I have an 80 with factory AC which is not the best. I've consider an integrated system like Vintage air since it would allow me to remove the huge box from inside the engine compartment and run a better compressor with new 134 freon. I could get mine to work OK but would rather just replace it.
Dave
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 495
Likes: 1
From: Spokane Washington
unit at Ecklers
Originally Posted by DC118us
I think one of the Vette companies sells an aftermarket setup designed to work with the original controls.
cal
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 609
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Originally Posted by cal camara
I am considering adding air conditioning to my 72 base engine convertible that I am working on. Ok I know who needs air conditioning in a convertible. I live in the desert and my wife has the early stages of MS, and she needs air conditioning or the desease effects her more. She likes to drive and ride in the vettes we own, she drive a 90 vert as her daily driver. She rides with the tops up most of the time.
My question is has anyone put in an after market air system that works and still appears stock.
cal
My question is has anyone put in an after market air system that works and still appears stock.
cal
It is a compact unit which fits behind the passenger side dash and does not hang into the engine compartment as the stock one did. It uses a Sanden compressor and it uses the riginal controls in the console.
I can't say how it works yet as I haven't completed or tested it, but it looks pretty good.
Dave
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 609
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Originally Posted by cal camara
What is it called I can't seem to find it. 
thanks
cal
thanks
cal
Here's one link.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...tix&forum_id=3
There may be others.
Dave
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,720
Likes: 106
From: Canada
Originally Posted by 1mollyd
I'm currently installing a kit from Classic Auto Air which is called a "Perfect fit system" and is listed for '68 - '76 Corvette.
It is a compact unit which fits behind the passenger side dash and does not hang into the engine compartment as the stock one did. It uses a Sanden compressor and it uses the riginal controls in the console. I can't say how it works yet as I haven't completed or tested it, but it looks pretty good.
Dave
It is a compact unit which fits behind the passenger side dash and does not hang into the engine compartment as the stock one did. It uses a Sanden compressor and it uses the riginal controls in the console. I can't say how it works yet as I haven't completed or tested it, but it looks pretty good.
Dave
Greg
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 609
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Originally Posted by gdh
Dave did you order it from the US or is there a cdn distr. Do you have pics of your instal, I am looking at doing the same next year.
Greg
Greg
I don't have any pics of the install but it's pretty straightforward. Anyway I'm only about halfway thru my install. I still have my engine and rad out so I can't really fit up the compressor or condensor yet.
I think there are quite a few pics in the other posts if you do a search.
Shoot me question if there's anything else.
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,656
Likes: 1,357
I installed Hot Rod Air....
some pics off to the left here:
<---
Be aware that Hot Rod Air "patient" about their orders, but it wasn't a problem for me since I could only work in short stints. Works wonderfully and used the original controls. Had to fabricate the center ducting on my 68 since the ducting they sent would not have fit...just used some PVC; cut and glued to make it fit.
<---
Be aware that Hot Rod Air "patient" about their orders, but it wasn't a problem for me since I could only work in short stints. Works wonderfully and used the original controls. Had to fabricate the center ducting on my 68 since the ducting they sent would not have fit...just used some PVC; cut and glued to make it fit.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Cal, if you havn't found it by now there is an outfit called Vintage Air and they make AC units to fit all kinds of classic's, hot rods and vettes
Let us know how you mk out. Its one of the mods I'm thinking about in the future.
Let us know how you mk out. Its one of the mods I'm thinking about in the future.
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
I'm in the middle of a Hot Rod Air install in my 79. They are laid back, but I'm doing about 12 other projects to the car so it's OK. The product, support, & instructions are top notch. If you buy from them, mention CF & suggest they become supporting vendors.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 495
Likes: 1
From: Spokane Washington
Vintage Air
Originally Posted by Jims79
Cal, if you havn't found it by now there is an outfit called Vintage Air and they make AC units to fit all kinds of classic's, hot rods and vettes
Let us know how you mk out. Its one of the mods I'm thinking about in the future.
Let us know how you mk out. Its one of the mods I'm thinking about in the future.
cal
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Old Air Products
I Put In A System That Was Manufactured By A Company Call Old Air Products In My 1964 Vette Several Years Ago. I Got The System In A Trade Deal. For The Most Part I Was Frustrated With The Products Fit And Instructions Which Were Not Very Clearly Written And Left Outcomments On Issues That Should Have Been Addressed. Additionally, I Called Them For Some Advise And Their Customers Service Was Worthless. The System Does Work, But Knowing What I Know Now About The Installation Process And The Modifications And Things I Had To Do To Make It Fit And Work, I Would Not Recommend Their Product.good Luck!