AC Conversion

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Apr 23, 2014 | 09:54 AM

bigvette1

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 1,645

Likes: 11

From: Schaumburg IL

AC Conversion

Has anyone tried replacing the stock Vette AC compressor, condensor, and VIR with hoses and keep the evaporator in the box with a recycled system from a junkyard? This is in lieu of something like vintage air to save some $$ or is this foolhardy?

Apr 23, 2014 | 10:32 AM

Easy Mike

Team Owner

Joined: Jun 2000

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From: Southbound

Cruise-In II Veteran

I'm not sure what you're asking. You can get stock replacement parts and keep the system entirely GM if that's what you want to do. You can also convert to R134a without having to go to an aftermarket AC system.

Apr 23, 2014 | 01:00 PM

bballboy06

Racer

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 254

Likes: 0

From: Charleston SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy Mike

what needs to be done to convert it?

Apr 23, 2014 | 01:18 PM

Karsten

Racer

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 417

Likes: 11

From: Brigham City Utah

I opted for the

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1963-1976.html
and VIR Eliminator

My Condenser was still good but I did have all new hose made locally. Need the relocate the VIR Elem and fab up a bracket.

I am told I can either run the old Freon or upgrade to the new 134.

Karsten

Apr 25, 2014 | 05:35 AM

bigvette1

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 1,645

Likes: 11

From: Schaumburg IL

I am really getting at an alternative to the A6 that must weight who knows and eliminate the VIR so the compressor cycles. Being cheap by nature I was wondering if the system pulled from say a 454 truck etc would bolt up in a 454 vette?

Karsten - nice looking setup. Where did you relocate the VIR to? The idea of a significant weight savings of the compressor is appealing. Thx

Apr 25, 2014 | 08:15 AM

FLA-C3

Safety Car

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 4,789

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Not sure what your budget is, but I just installed Classic Auto Air's "engine compartment upgrade kit" in my '73. Basically replaces everything from the evaporator forward. I tried pricing all the components out to piece something together and it was just easier and not much more expensive to buy a kit. Everything fit nicely and looks great...and the hoses came already complete at the correct lengths.

Quote:

We offer an engine compartment upgrade kit for $799.99 that will include the following:

Sanden-style compressor assembly w/2-groove Pulley
Compressor mount brackets (Alan Grove brackets are available for most standard V8 Small Block and Big Block engines. Additional engine pulleys may be necessary)
Classic Auto Air's Parallel flow condenser for R134A
Suction hose
Discharge hose
Liquid hose(s) & lines
Filter-Drier
O-Rings & Oil Tube
Refrigerant "cork" insulation tape.
Hardware

Apr 25, 2014 | 06:34 PM

bigvette1

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 1,645

Likes: 11

From: Schaumburg IL

That is a sound idea. I will ck out the Classic auto air site.

From the sound of your conversion it keeps the factory evaporator but scraps the VIR. Is this correct.

Would you have any pics of the final conversion you did on the 73? Thx

Apr 25, 2014 | 08:34 PM

TX-Techman

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Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 413

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From: Justin TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigvette1

I put a Vintage Air System in my 69 in 2009. I would highly recommend replacing everything, it will pay hi dividends in the future. The efficiency will be much better, controls are all new (servo instead of Vacuum), mine blow 34 degree air. At the time the unit was $1200 and the install was not too bad since I had the interior out. Below are pic of the process.

This will cut a lot of weight also :-)

http://s203.photobucket.com/user/TX-...0Air%20Install