upgrage A/C
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
upgrage A/C
I went to the Hot Rod show this weekend and talked to Vintage Air. they have a complete system for about $1200. I found this upgrade thread that cost about $800 in parts. Which way is better.
"This is with regard to converting a '73 a/c car to modern a/c:
you need a #4709 Sanden Compressor ($200)
compressor brackets from alangrovecomponents.com ($90)
a '79 evaporator ($250-300) - bolts right in
orifice tube for the evaporator ($2.00)
use factory condenser
Custom Hoses from an a/c shop ($?) - haven't done that yet
Uses no "expansion valve" "
Thanks
"This is with regard to converting a '73 a/c car to modern a/c:
you need a #4709 Sanden Compressor ($200)
compressor brackets from alangrovecomponents.com ($90)
a '79 evaporator ($250-300) - bolts right in
orifice tube for the evaporator ($2.00)
use factory condenser
Custom Hoses from an a/c shop ($?) - haven't done that yet
Uses no "expansion valve" "
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
I believe that you need to do some additional research. Your list does not include a drier/accumulator, nor does it include the necessary controls to allow the compressor to cycle on and off. Many Corvette parts houses carry a kit to convert your current system to the later orifice tube design (I believe that these kits are made by Olde Aire). This forum contains ar least one discussion of this conversion during 2008, and a search should locate it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
The older system is better, the one with expansion valve and POA valve, which you should have in your '71, the problems have been in the past with finding a POA valve, IMO, that constant cycling of the compressor on and off is a PIA, engine speed going up and down like a yoyo at idle, is the likely result....
I have a '88 vette serp drive and of course the C4 Sanden? comp. on there with the custom hoses for 100 bux all set up and been wonderful some 10? years now.....
I have a '88 vette serp drive and of course the C4 Sanden? comp. on there with the custom hoses for 100 bux all set up and been wonderful some 10? years now.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
I did that with my '71 454 (along with new rxpansion valve and POA valve) and it was running great for 2 years before I tore my engine apart for the rebuild.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 363
From: Lubbock Texas
I've been researching the best way to add AC to my '73. I've talked to folks and read about others who have compared older C3s and muscle cars with both the factory air and the aftermarket systems by Vintage Air or Hot Rod Air. In each case I'm told the new aftermarket systems cool better, have fewer problems, and use less HP. Now, what I don't have a clue about is whether or not the original factory systems can be modified to perform as well as the aftermarket systems. That said, I've made the decision to use one of the aftermarket systems.
DC
DC
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
I've been researching the best way to add AC to my '73. I've talked to folks and read about others who have compared older C3s and muscle cars with both the factory air and the aftermarket systems by Vintage Air or Hot Rod Air. In each case I'm told the new aftermarket systems cool better, have fewer problems, and use less HP. Now, what I don't have a clue about is whether or not the original factory systems can be modified to perform as well as the aftermarket systems. That said, I've made the decision to use one of the aftermarket systems.
DC
DC
What I did basically is get a Sanden 508 with its bracket, and a parallel flow condenser and all the needed lines hoses, besides restoring the evaporator box and getting a new A/C harness/vacuum hoses. When add all that costs together, you'll notice thats just too much of pain for what I paid!.