Would you remove the factory AC ?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 572
Likes: 21
From: Milford, CT
Would you remove the factory AC ?
I have a 77 4 spd L48 car. Its a driver. Its in no way a show car. I am installing Hooker side headers and black side pipes on it. I want to clean up the engine compartment and I am considering removing the factory AC. I am also going to replace the factory air cleaner with an open element chrome one and replace the blue valve covers with a nice set of aluminum or chrome covers. I want it to look like a 70's hot rod under the hood. Is removing the AC a good move? I can't see myself ever using AC (or heat for that matter) because this is a cruise night car. I don't want to kill the value of the car by removing the AC compressor.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
I removed mine for the same reason you stated. One day I will get the A/C delete kit that will complete the job. The engine bay looks better without the compressor and factory air cleaner assembly but that's just my opinion.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
I want to clean up the engine compartment and I am considering removing the factory AC. I am also going to replace the factory air cleaner with an open element chrome one and replace the blue valve covers with a nice set of aluminum or chrome covers. I want it to look like a 70's hot rod under the hood. Is removing the AC a good move? I can't see myself ever using AC (or heat for that matter) because this is a cruise night car. I don't want to kill the value of the car by removing the AC compressor.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
I am doing this right now on my 77 and cleaning up some other stuff I don't need under the dash. Just had a alum plate made to cover the hole at a friends shop. He kinda rolled the edge, but I still had to trim some stuff to get it flush-ish. The plate isn't the best shape cause he used a scrap piece he had laying round and I'll get some better stuff later. 3m strip caulk is what I found many use to seal the factory stuff back to the firewall so I'm gonna try it for the plate. Just gotta finish up a bit of other stuff and I'll seal it up.
My heater wouldn't shut off so it's been unplugged for years and the AC hasn't worked for who knows how long. I usually remove AC/heat from my cars for weigh and to make room, but I drag my cars and cruise them mostly at night. Plus mice always seem to get into those things on cars I park for the winter and there was a huge nest in there.. Still I've always been a windows down kinda guy and the vette has T-tops.
Also I plan to put a dedicated nitrous system in that area
My heater wouldn't shut off so it's been unplugged for years and the AC hasn't worked for who knows how long. I usually remove AC/heat from my cars for weigh and to make room, but I drag my cars and cruise them mostly at night. Plus mice always seem to get into those things on cars I park for the winter and there was a huge nest in there.. Still I've always been a windows down kinda guy and the vette has T-tops.
Also I plan to put a dedicated nitrous system in that area
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Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 572
Likes: 21
From: Milford, CT
I am going to check to see if mine works. I suspect it doesn't. If it doesn't I am removing the compressor and the lines. I will leave the stuff in the dash. I don't like a cluttered engine compartment and since my car is stock its pretty cluttered (except for the smog equipment that was removed by the previous owner).
I don't even use AC in my new cars unless I go on a long trip. I will never be going on a long trip in the Vette. Its strictly a cruise night/beach car on pleasant days.
It will be a good time to remove it anyway because I am installing headers and side pipes.
I don't even use AC in my new cars unless I go on a long trip. I will never be going on a long trip in the Vette. Its strictly a cruise night/beach car on pleasant days.
It will be a good time to remove it anyway because I am installing headers and side pipes.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,959
Likes: 3,353
From: NYC NY
Even if you're not going to use it the car is much more desirable with A/C. Don't most of the high end restomods and the pro-touring cars have A/C? If you do a thorough job of cleaning up and detailing the engine compartment the A/C compressor is not going to effect or detract from the look.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 893
Likes: 7
From: Orange Park Florida
Removed my AC compressor and condenser years ago. Left wiring and all ductwork in place. Cut the condenser copper piping in appropriate places so if anyone wants to reinstall all they need is a copper fitting or two and a little solder.
Don't miss it!!
Don't miss it!!