Aftermarket AC advice
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 269
Likes: 7
Aftermarket AC advice
I intend to install either a Vintage Air or HotRod Air AC system in my 77 when the new engine is installed. Currently the engine compartment is empty and the radiator and condenser have been removed.
I have 2 questions:
Which system would you choose and why.
What other parts should be removed prior to installation (i.e evaporator box?).
I have 2 questions:
Which system would you choose and why.
What other parts should be removed prior to installation (i.e evaporator box?).
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Vintage Air is going in mine. Reasons are reputation, customer service, other forum members success stories, personal experience of seeing one installed and working with system. No experience with Hot Rod air so I cannot comment on them. 
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,685
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
I bought my system from http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/
I all ready had air so I did not buy the full system.
I have yet to get it charged but everything fit nice and they were very helpful on the phone.
I all ready had air so I did not buy the full system.
I have yet to get it charged but everything fit nice and they were very helpful on the phone.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 423
Likes: 7
From: Utah
You'll have to remove the dash to get these installed. The biggest PIA w/ Vintage Air is getting the outlet hoses routed and getting the dash back in. It's not a complex install. If I can do it, it's not impossible.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
vintage air install by F/M (ajrothm), lots of pics.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-begins-2.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...tall-pics.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-begins-2.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...tall-pics.html
Last edited by speedreed8; Aug 22, 2011 at 10:44 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
Vintage Air into a 77
I put a Vintage Air into my 77. The Vintage Air kit is intended for C3's up to 77, with the first style dash and controls. To make it work:
1) I substituted Vintage Air's 3 **** rotary control for all of the parts in the kit that convert the 68-76 stock rotary controls. TO DO THIS, THE UNIT YOU ORDER WILL NEED A DIFFERENT ECM. TALK TO VINTAGE AIR. The Vintage controls mount into a plate (you must fabricate) that covers the original rectangular control cut out.
2) The center dash outlet in the 77 is completely different from earlier years. I fabbed an adapter for this that also moved the two inlet hoses from the back to the left side of the center stack.
Everything else generally installs as per the Vintage Air instructions, though I made a number of other mods. If you need more info or pics of the two mods described above, PM me.
1) I substituted Vintage Air's 3 **** rotary control for all of the parts in the kit that convert the 68-76 stock rotary controls. TO DO THIS, THE UNIT YOU ORDER WILL NEED A DIFFERENT ECM. TALK TO VINTAGE AIR. The Vintage controls mount into a plate (you must fabricate) that covers the original rectangular control cut out.
2) The center dash outlet in the 77 is completely different from earlier years. I fabbed an adapter for this that also moved the two inlet hoses from the back to the left side of the center stack.
Everything else generally installs as per the Vintage Air instructions, though I made a number of other mods. If you need more info or pics of the two mods described above, PM me.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you have a non-A/C car, I would suggest the Vintage Air route. If you have an A/C car and still have the evaporator core and casing in place, a Classic Car Air conversion kit would be the way to go. (but I think you have a non-A/C car.....)
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
Navigator
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
it has ac but the compressor is gone who knows what else........i'm looking at it today i hope. Can the condenser come out be checked or flushed? If all the other crap is still in the car, can everything be flushed to clean any dirt and misc out?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,212
Likes: 1,671
From: Long Island
yes the system can be flushed. The factory system works ok, the Vintage Air system works better. For the cost of rehabbing the factory system it may pay to go with the aftermarket unit.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 675
From: FL
1969, 1973, 73, 77, ac, aftermarket, air, c2, c3, conditioner, conditioning, corvette, install, market, unit, vintage, vintageair
