70 Challenger: Removing A/C and Going Non-A/C?

[Carlwalski]

Hi guys, long time no hear! Hope everyone is well. I am looking at removing Lucy's A/C and would like to know what is involved. I would like to have it so I can re-install it in future IF (and I mean IF) the need comes or more than likely, if a future owner wants too. I have a few crazy plans in my head and removing the A/C is one of them. What is required? Remove the unit and lines, plug the firewall and that's it? Can I use the A/C heater box etc under the dash without the A/C? What would/wouldn't function? Or if I remove the A/C setup in the engine bay do I lose everything or will like just the heater/defroster work? No cold/hot air? Hopefully I'm making sense. Any info, photos or help, as always, is much appreciated.



Cheers,
Carlwalski
aka NZ440R/T

[67vertman]

Hi Carl....

I did this with mine.  Not that difficult.

You will need to remove the dryer, condenser, ac lines, and pump.

I left my firewall with the connectors. I just need to find some caps to close them off.

I can post some pictures if you need them.

[Carlwalski]

Hey buddy, hope all is well mate. Oh yeah! Pics would be bloooooody marvelous bro. So, in short, everything behind the dash (a/c condenser, ducts, etc) can be left in place? No need to buy a non-a/c condenser etc? I was hoping to remove the a/c firewall forward and call it a day lol. for the record, Lucy is getting the 540ci Hemi, long story but yeah, hence the reason I want the a/c gone. Thanks bud!!

[67vertman]

Carl. I am happy that Lucy is finally getting her Hemi....... you have been holding out on her for too long.

I left everything under the dash in place, as it is not in the way and I too plan on putt AC back in some day.

Here is a picture of the engine without the A/C, note the a/c line connectors in the fire wall.



Side view....sorry about having to look at a dirty motor....



with all the a/c stuff installed...



A/C lines



Not sure yet what I am going to do with the dash and vent though.  I need a new dash pad, so I have to decide if I want one with vents or not.

[Carlwalski]

Thanks heaps Ron! So the heater hoses just below the voltage regulator, are they in every vehicle? A/C or not? What functions in terms of inside temp settings etc will you/we maintain? Heater and defroster only? sorry for the questions mate. I will just buy/make a tidy rubber cover (white like the car) and make it a snug fit for the two old A/C lines. Looks great decluttered aye, A/C is fine if you need it, I don't really and the clutter factor has always been an eyesore, regardless of it being show quality, just so much crap that comes with it hahaha.

Re Lucy, thanks man. Just been thinking over the last several months, "why not!!". I've owned Lucy 8 years now with a bone stock, factory 440ci and am over the sluggish weighty block. Having driven a 340ci vehicle, I was truly blown away with the weight and handling difference, was amazing! The Hemi will give me an extra 260hp+ on what she has now, (something the 440ci couldn't do without being less streetable and lumpy, etc), the Hemi will be small block weight with Hemi power, get better MPG (EFI/mild as tune), not risk blowing a window or damaging the #s block and finally give her that grunt and Vanishing Point get up and go her exterior has always shown.

I will store the #'s block safely away and will NEVER ever sell it, EVER. I just want to have her fun again, after driving the SRT/10 around, she just has no power, looks but lacking the grunt, not any more!! I will stiffen her chassis up with XV goods, have a brand new Dana 60 with disc brakes, suspension setup all ready to go (both full XV 1 and XV 2 rear) everything from sump and k-frame to headers and radiatior so I have all the stuff ready to roll and like you, I will have it so with a little time, going back to stock is still possible but I doubt very much I will be with a Hemi Challenger in the garage LOL.

[67vertman]

Oh man Carl, you are killing me with that picture   .......mine will get there one day.

Yes, I will only run heater/defroster for interior temp.  Raking off the a/c did not effect the heating portion.

"So the heater hoses just below the voltage regulator, are they in every vehicle? A/C or not?" I am not sure mate, I have seen them on some cars and not on others.  Maybe someone else will know.

I like you idea about the rubber covers.  I have tried several time to find some brass covers, but the threads are a weird size, so I haven't had any luck.

How is your dads car coming along?

I am looking for a 440 block so I can start my engine build. So, hopefully she will have a motor transplant this year.

[Challenger III]

Just a suggestion. I did this to my last one and left the vents in the dash. A.C. cars did not have fresh air vents in them , so I used un-heated air to kinda cool things down on hot days. All the vacuum controlled doors will still work with everything under the hood gone.

[73EStroker]

Sorry for the thread Hijack

Carl, 540 looks good and will do great in Lucy. Was in NZ for the past 4 weeks and fished my guts out. We went out from Tutukaka (near Whangarei) all the time for the fishing. Gas is at $2.05 per liter there so the skinny pedal will cost ya and oh boy those goddamn radar vans and such you better watch out. Meremere drag strip was impressive so watch out for those rotary Mazdas. My nephew Mark Tunzelmann was featured recently in NZV8 mag with his 10.9 second Holden street ute.

[_Russ_]

Nothing to add, other than 

Lucy with a Hemi! 

That is all.

 

[Carlwalski]

Oh man Carl, you are killing me with that picture   .......mine will get there one day.

Yes, I will only run heater/defroster for interior temp.  Raking off the a/c did not effect the heating portion.

"So the heater hoses just below the voltage regulator, are they in every vehicle? A/C or not?" I am not sure mate, I have seen them on some cars and not on others.  Maybe someone else will know.

I like you idea about the rubber covers.  I have tried several time to find some brass covers, but the threads are a weird size, so I haven't had any luck.

Thanks man! That is AWESOME to hear that the AC box under the dash, the vents/ducts and everything else in the interior remains in place and doesn't need to be touched. Good to know I maintain the heater and defroster too. I can live without the cold AC air, just wind the windows down and nail the Hemi if I require a rush of fresh air LOL.

Yup, just a tight rubber cover will clean up the AC hose outlets nicely. So with those hoses, did you just leave yours in place, correct? I'm not sure what they are or their function so will do research and no doubt, just leave them in place. Dad's 'Cuda is on the market, lots of reasons but in the end, both him and I are happy (was both our car).

[Carlwalski]

Just a suggestion. I did this to my last one and left the vents in the dash. A.C. cars did not have fresh air vents in them , so I used un-heated air to kinda cool things down on hot days. All the vacuum controlled doors will still work with everything under the hood gone.

Thanks Mike, this sounds like such an easy task now. I was dreading having to get a "non A/C this" and a "non A/C that" but I still want to be able to put it back to stock if required. With a 540 Hemi under the hood, that will never happen but the mindset and for any future owner, it's nice to be able to drop the 440 back in with the A/C gear, plug and play.

[Carlwalski]

Sorry for the thread Hijack

Carl, 540 looks good and will do great in Lucy. Was in NZ for the past 4 weeks and fished my guts out. We went out from Tutukaka (near Whangarei) all the time for the fishing. Gas is at $2.05 per liter there so the skinny pedal will cost ya and oh boy those goddamn radar vans and such you better watch out. Meremere drag strip was impressive so watch out for those rotary Mazdas. My nephew Mark Tunzelmann was featured recently in NZV8 mag with his 10.9 second Holden street ute.

LOL, sounds good Barry, thanks mate and also, thanks heaps Russ!!

[ShelbyDogg]

Remove all of the AC stuff in the engine compartment, but leve the heater hoses and Temp control valve. Cap off the Evaporator inlet and outlet at the firewall. Easy enough for the next guy to reinstall the A/C.

If I were you I would have gone with the 5.7 or 6.1 Hemi. and used the new compressor for the A/C. You'll get the horsepower and lighter weight that you're looking for. Unless you just want the looks of the old Hemi. Fuel injection with a 5 or 6 speed is the way to go in 2011.  Look at Dodgeboy's car.

Look at the GM LS motors compared to 1970 era 350s. So much more HP and technology. you couldn't get that kind of HP without spending megabucks.

[Carlwalski]

Remove all of the AC stuff in the engine compartment, but leve the heater hoses and Temp control valve. Cap off the Evaporator inlet and outlet at the firewall. Easy enough for the next guy to reinstall the A/C.

If I were you I would have gone with the 5.7 or 6.1 Hemi. and used the new compressor for the A/C. You'll get the horsepower and lighter weight that you're looking for. Unless you just want the looks of the old Hemi. Fuel injection with a 5 or 6 speed is the way to go in 2011.  Look at Dodgeboy's car.

Look at the GM LS motors compared to 1970 era 350s. So much more HP and technology. you couldn't get that kind of HP without spending megabucks.

Thakns rob for the input mate! Sounds easier than I thought, awesome! Why do some cars have the 2 heater hoses under the voltage regulator and some don't? Do I just leave them as is? Not even sure where they go to (haven't even checked yet).

Thanks but I've driven te 6.1L Hemis, lovely power range. Drove one in our old SRT8 300C (which weighs more than an E-Body lol), good but yeah, I prefer the raw nature and look, sound and power delivery of the older setup Hemis. I wouldn't waste my time on a 5.7L, rather have a 360/340 or if you're going that far, just get the 6.1L (or stroke it to 6.4L) and be done. This has dual F.A.S.T EFI set up and agree, EFI is the way to go.

I'm lucky enough to have modern weapons (SRT10 and SRT8) so just want a little spice in my classic, is all. Plus, I've had this Hemi for many years now (didn't just order it for Lucy) and all the set up is ready to go, headers, EFI, k-frame, suspension, stiffening, etc. runs a comfy almost "de-tuned" mild 660hp and 632lbs-ft of torque. IMO, the perfect amount for a streeter like Lucy.

I love the old TF727s, beefy, straight line grunt and constancy with the cruise factor built it, if it were a Jap, supercar or Viper, manual all the way but in an old tank that was built for the stop light, to me, you can't go past a well built auto, can't wait!! I have also been in close contact with Rick (owner of Gear Vendors) and together, we have finally got the publicly unreleased autoshift unit banging. so with some time and practice, I will finally get my split gears, 6 short ratio TF727, taken a fair while LOL (understatement) but it should be fun!

[ShelbyDogg]

I guess Gearvendors decided to work with your guy about finally getting it to shift correctly because of all of the trash talk you were spreading about their AUTOSHIFT?

I have a couple of friends with the older Hemi and the new sytle rotatry A/C compressor. They fit under the front of the Shaker bubble. One ground off the 2 extra mouning "ears" since he only needed one set, then polished everything to look untouched. He then tig welded both high and low lines so that everything stayed on the passenge side for a cleaner look.  He took 1st place at the 2010 Nationals in the Clone class. He had a 71 Hemi Cuda Convertible.   If you don't use a compressor, you'll have to get all new brackets and different pulleys for the non-A/C setup.