Well along with all the work my new vette needs the ac system is gone and the compressor is bad. The dealer wants 1000 bucks to fix it. I am NOT mechanically inclined. that being the case has anyone done this to their vette before. the dealer says it needs the compressor and the whole system converted to the new system. how much should this really cost? I know the compressor by itself is 520 bucks.
thanks for any info

 

I had to recently replace my compressor on my '88 due to a leaking shaft seal. I found a brand new compressor through NAPA for around $750.00. Rebuilt ones, at that time were not readily available.
I decided to stick with R-12 since it is still available. I took the certification test, ($20 bucks and a week to get test results), thus allowing me to purchase R-12 from anyone who sells it. The R-12 costs anywhere from $30 to $38 a 14 ounce can, online. I replaced the compressor, orifice ($3), o-rings,($5), accumulator/dryer ($40), evacuated the system and recharged it myself with borrowed equipment.

R-134a is cheaper ounce for ounce, but will not perform as well. Depending on whether the dealer intends to flush the system (adviseable), replace the condensor coil (depending on whether your old compressor had a catastrophic meltdown), and replace any hoses to the newer barrier style (which tend not to leak as much when converted to 134a), $1000 could be well worth it if he does these things. There will no doubt be several hours of labor involved, just to reclaim any remaining refrigerant, replace the compressor and then pull a vacuum on it, check for leaks and recharge.

If you want to keep the car 'original', please consider sticking with the original R-12 refrigerant. Don't let anybody tell you it's not available.
If I can get certified to purchase it, anybody who can read and write can.

Hope this helps.

 

I agree with Walter, stick with R12. After checking around with people who know about these things I stayed with the R12 system. The AC keeps me cool as a cucumber in the Texas heat.

 

can convert it much less than $1000, ONLY if the compressor is still working. R134 will not cool as efficiently as R12 but unless you live in a very warm (southern/western) area you will be fine. I don't have the links handy but very little hardware needs to be replaced to convert. Do a search and I'm sure you find a goldmine of information. Good luck.

 

what about buying a complete system from a R134 later model that is being parted out? I bought this system from a member on here for 350.00 and as you can see it can be pulled and reinstalled without dischaging the system. This is a L98 system not sure how different the LT1 is though.

 

harbor freight sells a vacuum pump (air powered )for $13.00.

 

just realized you said the compressor is bad, so that puts a different twist on things -- then you should switch over, and it won't be cheap...

 

That system will not fit the 92 LT1 without major modifications.
The 92 model LT1 ac sys looks like this, the compressor is mounted on the opposite side

 

That wasn't what I was implying, I know the LT1 compressor is on the opposite side. I was just showing the O/P that he could remove a R134 system from a later model vette in 1 piece eliminating the hassles of recharging and so on and put it in his car already charged. If he could find a say 94-up being parted out and buy the whole system like what I did and have cold a/c since his compressor is shot anyways.