I installed SSAutochrome headers on my car about 3 or 4 years ago. I wrapped the AC line pretty well and things have been working fine.

My AC Stopped working and of course the culprit is the AC line where it rests up against the header. I did bend it as much as i could at the time of install to keep it away, but it still rested a little on it.

So - what are my options for replacing this line? Just stick with the factory line - or can someone modify my line to move the line out of the way? just curious what are my realistic options here. Can these lines even be modified / repaired??

John

 

Culprit? Why? Is the line worn through? Have you lost pressure? Do you have any codes? Is the compressor engaging? Have you checked the system with gauges?

 

sounds like something needs to be modified because I would not want any line touching a header anywhere

 

The culprit is the high pressure reinforced rubber flex line between the compressor and the firewall rigid tubing. That was the problem in my '99 even though it was well wrapped and sufficiently away from the header. Unfortunately, in my case the flex line bounced around while driving, gets very hot and wears through all of the protective wrap to form a break. Thus, all of my refrigerant leaked out.

I did purchase a new complete OEM tubing replacement which also was damaged and again allowed the refrigerant to leak out. The solution was to take this compressor line out and have a new section formed that allows the rigid tubing to come directly off of the compressor and rise vertically along the inside wheel well, curve ninety degrees toward the firewall, compression-fit the flexible section of rubber line after this bend and finish with the rigid tubing up to the firewall/condensor. This did cost around $150 (Kali dollars) to fix but the condition is eliminated completely. The factory part is around $100 anyway so the fix isn't too far off. No doubt there is a shop in your area that constructs new A/C lines or other high-pressure lines.

Note, later generation C5/C6 systems did alter the route of the line well away from the exhaust manifold. Unfortunately, you will need the complete rear section of the latest A/C compressor to use that line which I suspect would be very costly. The connection for the rigid tubing is significantly offset at the compressor from earlier models. Trust this is helpful and good luck...

A1

 

I have the same headers on mine. I dont have any problems with anything touching.

 

that's good info A1

 

Lucky - No codes, just no A/C. I had the car checked out and they put dye in and sniffed the car - they could not find a leak. I took the car back in today (A week after they checked it), and the guy still did not see any dye. He partially filled the system with more dye and touched the pipe in question and dye started coming out. I can only assume the heat wrap was soaking up the dye and will be very noticible when i unwrap it.

The warnings were to bend the line out of the way and to wrap the lines - which i did. When i say the line it touching the header, it is only because i have it wrapped heavily around that particular area. The pipe is not "hitting" the headers, but the heat wrap is leaning on it. I probabily have it wrapped 3 times over in that specific area.

Did you wrap your ac line? As i mentioned above, the line itself was not hitting/touching anything, but the additional wrap i put on closed the gap. I also have the very early version - so not sure if they changed anything along the way.

I should note - I drive the hell out of this car, it is not a garage queen by far, and the car has easily 40k with these headers installed. I have not had one issue with these headers outside of this. I am very happy with these headers.

A1-

That is exactly what i was thinking of doing - seems simple enough to have the line be routed exactly how you described. I have called a few shops in my area, and they are all talking about using rubber lines and are suggesting i stick with the OEM line. The one place came highly recommended, but again was hesitant once they heard it was a "corvette"... I think i am going to just show up and let them see what i want them to do, as i think once they see it, they may not be as intimidated by it. (hopefully). Thanks for all your input here...

Thanks for everyone's input - Curious that GM revisited this on the later c5's... I will keep looking for someone to do it, but worst case i will put the OEM back on - with installing a new one, i will have a good opportunity to ensure it is as far away as possible and can put a sock on it while off the car.

 

one other minor point make sure the wrap is not touching either, it will conduct the heat.

 

You'd be better off with an 1/8" air gap and no additional protective wrapping then what you did have...

 

I didnt wrap anything. I have had them on for over 3 years. Good luck with the fix!

 

After going to a few shops in the area, i found one that offered to help. THey asked that i order a new factory line so they could modify that, versus dealing with a line that already had a hole in it.

I order the line from GMPartshouse, and the part that showed up is different than the one on the car. I called and questioned them and they said there was a re-design and this is the "replacement" for the older lines.

I have not installed it yet, hoping to this weekend, but from the looks of it, it does appear to run much higher and hopefully will not interfere with the headers.