AC Experts, Step in... New vs. Rebuilt AC Compressor
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,204
Likes: 4
From: Midland Georgia
St. Jude Donor '06
AC Experts, Step in... New vs. Rebuilt AC Compressor
Car- 94 LT1
My car has been sitting for a few months now and I have not addressed my AC compressor issue. It looks good sitting in the garage but I really want to drive it again...
I am debating a rebuilt vs. a new compressor. Of course costs is a huge consideration. New would run me $800-$900 for the compressor alone. Rebuilt is $300-$400.
I have never had great luck with rebuilt alternators. Lately it seems like everything is rebuilt in the US with parts from China and India aka junk...
Just not sure about the AC Compressors and what goes into a rebuild. I have a take off GM Compressor but I am not sure it was stored properly before I got it. Looking for advice.
My car has been sitting for a few months now and I have not addressed my AC compressor issue. It looks good sitting in the garage but I really want to drive it again...
I am debating a rebuilt vs. a new compressor. Of course costs is a huge consideration. New would run me $800-$900 for the compressor alone. Rebuilt is $300-$400.
I have never had great luck with rebuilt alternators. Lately it seems like everything is rebuilt in the US with parts from China and India aka junk...
Just not sure about the AC Compressors and what goes into a rebuild. I have a take off GM Compressor but I am not sure it was stored properly before I got it. Looking for advice.
Last edited by jakers; Jul 21, 2008 at 11:03 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
I've never had much luck with the Discounters, returning alternators the same day and the last "new" compressor I bought from Autozone was bad out of the box (only I didn't know it unitil I had installed it and charged it up - they did reimburse me for the gas and oil though). Your Vette uses a Nippondenso compressor, model 10PA20C. They have a long life, except for the shaft seal which is servicable and a kit costs somewhere around $50. I've found good prices for new at the Last Detail - www.tld-corvette.com - and rebuilt at www.ackits.com - New doesn't come with the clutch assembly so you can either use your current one or fork over another 100 or so for new. If you are swapping clutches, get a shim kit (another 12 bucks). You will want to set the air gap at .020 inch and whatever shim is working on your current compressor may not work on a new one.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,178
Likes: 1,740
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I got mine from TLD, reman, for about half the price of a the new one for my year.
It has run several years without a problem.
It has run several years without a problem.
