Ac keep or remove???
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 4
From: Oakland California
Ac keep or remove???
I'm thinking of removing the AC system from my 74 corvette due to a minor weight reduction, what do you guys think? Has anybody removed their AC from their corvette?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Warrensburg MO
TommyJ
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
You can remove it; but it will always be an A/C car (ducts, outlets, etc.). If you go to sell it, you will take a big hit with the A/C not in there. If the car is primarily for drag racing, doesn't it get 'classed' based on weight? It's your call...but I wouldn't do it.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Since you just got it, you may want to wait till the hottest part of summer to decide. If it doesn't work, you can find out if the compressor is locked up by turning the front center bolt w/ a rachet. You can get a smaller lighter compressor about 10 lbs. If you remove, most of the weight is the compressor & brackets. Seal the rest of the system on car- probably at least leave evap. to return A/C system.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
I removed and stored the compressor, brackets, condenser, and hoses from mine but left all the major parts (evaporator, duct work, etc) there and sealed them, you can always reinstall the unit it's not a big deal...mine's a vert and I usually have the windows down in the summer months and it doesn't get that hot inside, at the track or autocross your windows are up anyway. If your concerned about weight I would concentrate on your suspension components, trans, wheels, and other parts if your making a track car.............
Last edited by 73jst4fun; Apr 6, 2009 at 08:22 AM.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Pittsfield, Ohio
If I want AC, I have two other vehilce though too..
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Lawrenceville GA
I'll say it up front, I'm a purest. I don't want to be harsh, but it seems I see dialogues like this all the time on CF. Here's a 35 year old car that might has it's original AC in there and guys are telling him to just rip it out. It's like saying chop down that nice old tree in the front yard just because you want fire wood. People that rip out these old parts just because their old are severely hurting the value of the car. Rebuild or restore the old part(s).
Jeff
Jeff
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Pittsfield, Ohio
I'll say it up front, I'm a purest. I don't want to be harsh, but it seems I see dialogues like this all the time on CF. Here's a 35 year old car that might has it's original AC in there and guys are telling him to just rip it out. It's like saying chop down that nice old tree in the front yard just because you want fire wood. People that rip out these old parts just because their old are severely hurting the value of the car. Rebuild or restore the old part(s).
Jeff
Jeff
True but thats his choice. He asked for though. Nothing "collectable" about my "76 with a vega sterring wheel" since its not a "chrome bumper vette". If I'm wrong, I have a pile of oem parts you can restore
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Pittsfield, Ohio
I'll say it up front, I'm a purest. I don't want to be harsh, but it seems I see dialogues like this all the time on CF. Here's a 35 year old car that might has it's original AC in there and guys are telling him to just rip it out. It's like saying chop down that nice old tree in the front yard just because you want fire wood. People that rip out these old parts just because their old are severely hurting the value of the car. Rebuild or restore the old part(s).
Jeff
Jeff
True but thats his choice. He asked for options. Nothing "collectable" about my "76 with a vega sterring wheel" since its not a "chrome bumper vette". If I'm wrong, I have a pile of oem parts you can restore
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Pittsfield, Ohio
I'll say it up front, I'm a purest. I don't want to be harsh, but it seems I see dialogues like this all the time on CF. Here's a 35 year old car that might has it's original AC in there and guys are telling him to just rip it out. It's like saying chop down that nice old tree in the front yard just because you want fire wood. People that rip out these old parts just because their old are severely hurting the value of the car. Rebuild or restore the old part(s).
Jeff
Jeff
True but thats his choice. He asked for options. Nothing "collectable" about my "76 with a vega stearing wheel" since its not a "chrome bumper vette". If I'm wrong, I have a pile of oem parts you can restore
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
My being one who long ago removed the A/C compressor from a pretty dang potent shark, I'm actually giving strong consideration to putting one back one, albeit a Pro6TEN lightweight (21lbs) compressor. Figure I can make up about half that weight with a mini-starter, and still have other areas where I might would rather save weight.
FWIW, a functioning A/C system is now required by the ACO (LeMans) and, subsequently, the ALMS on closed cockpit cars, so even the racing angle has less relevance. (How much more hardcore can you get?) And, in the 1/4 mile a 40# savings will only net ~0.04 sec quicker ET's, which isn't much for a street/strip car. Before removing a working A/C, I'd think long and hard about just what you expect to gain, especially if you're C3 isn't already on a crash diet. My $.02.
TSW
BTW, how many times did you click the "Submit Reply" button, 2armor?
edit - according to LG racing, ALMS isn't necessarily "requiring" A/C's, but apparently affords "advantages" when they are used. I still believe they are compulsory in ACO...
FWIW, a functioning A/C system is now required by the ACO (LeMans) and, subsequently, the ALMS on closed cockpit cars, so even the racing angle has less relevance. (How much more hardcore can you get?) And, in the 1/4 mile a 40# savings will only net ~0.04 sec quicker ET's, which isn't much for a street/strip car. Before removing a working A/C, I'd think long and hard about just what you expect to gain, especially if you're C3 isn't already on a crash diet. My $.02.
TSW
BTW, how many times did you click the "Submit Reply" button, 2armor?
edit - according to LG racing, ALMS isn't necessarily "requiring" A/C's, but apparently affords "advantages" when they are used. I still believe they are compulsory in ACO...
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Apr 8, 2009 at 03:09 AM. Reason: I stand corrected...
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,084
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
I have everything working on my car, including the clock. No leaks either. But the AC just wasn't worth it. I removed all of it, including the evaporator off the firewall. I installed a cover made by ACDelete.com. It looks like it never had AC at all and I saved 50 - 60 pounds and a lot of space under the hood.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 4
From: Oakland California
If I remove the AC I am going to keep everything. I don't even have the AC compressor or the brackets for it, the guy I bought it from removed it and didn't have the brackets. I am planning on doing a little racing, and for the summer the car is a T-top
.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
I yanked mine, and have no regrets.
I hardly use the AC in my DD, either. Not saying it doesn't get hot, but the thing is, by the time the AC cools the car off, I'm at where ever I was going. May as well have just rolled down the windows.
Verdict?
2 60 AC for the win.
I hardly use the AC in my DD, either. Not saying it doesn't get hot, but the thing is, by the time the AC cools the car off, I'm at where ever I was going. May as well have just rolled down the windows.
Verdict?
2 60 AC for the win.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Pittsfield, Ohio
ummm, I clicked it.. once , 3 round burst was selected 
Jordan, I pmed you about the ACDELETE. Its more than I thought, runs around $170 (can I post this info?) but worth it for me. I hate cluttered eng compt. Wish I could post a before and after picts of mine and you'd see what I mean..
BTW, definatly keep the old stuff. You be surprised what people need it at swaps, shows, and ebay. Or just keep it "for someday".
Jordan, I pmed you about the ACDELETE. Its more than I thought, runs around $170 (can I post this info?) but worth it for me. I hate cluttered eng compt. Wish I could post a before and after picts of mine and you'd see what I mean..
BTW, definatly keep the old stuff. You be surprised what people need it at swaps, shows, and ebay. Or just keep it "for someday".
Last edited by 2armor; Apr 7, 2009 at 01:15 PM.