Vintage Air - A/C Kits

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I'm trying to get a shopping list together for things I'd like to start piecing together for my car. A Vintage Air kit is in the running for something I'd like to do to the car. I am planning on using a 5.7L Hemi along with the compressor that comes with it. So I would use the Vintage Air for the HVAC box, dash controls, vents and condenser/drier.

Anyone have good/bad things to say? They're quoting $1,100 for the non-A/C car kit minus the compressor and hoses.

[johns cuda shop]

I got the best price on my Vintage a/c unit and lines from Randy at Bouchillon Performance . I ran a different condenser than what vintage air offered (which is thicker and fills out the radiator opening better than the vintage air stuff) which I also bought through BPE

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Thanks,

Do you know the application for that condenser that you ended up using by chance?

Have you had a chance to run your system yet and have some feed back on its performance?

[johns cuda shop]

Hi, I don't ,but Bouchillon uses them with all their vintage A/C installs. The picture above is my Cuda at Bouchllion getting a custom A/C install, since the car was in mock up stage , they just pressurized the system for leaks, but everything was ready to go. 

[Travis72]

Mine blows cold and it moves a good amount of air but the factory E-body dash vents aren't in the best location for having it blow on your face. The way the vents are the are partially shielded by the dash itself.  If you don't have a factory AC dash, do the vents install under the dash? 

My main issue, which I haven't had time to mess with, is the duct hoses keep blowing off the under dash box.  So when you go to install it be sure and get the duct hoses on there really well.  Also it would help to get the duct hoses on before you put the box under the dash.  Once it's under the dash there is no room.  Once I can get the duct hoses to stay on under there I can give better feedback especially with summer on its way.

I do really like the VA E-body control panel.  Its a modern spin on the original one but still has a look like it belongs in the car.  The letters light up at night as well.

Travis
72 Cuda

[jordan]

I agree with hooking up the duct hoses to the duct outlets first, and then make the tubing all fit somewhere before hooking them up to the a/c box under the dash.  The instructions make it seem easier than it turns out to be.  I have my battery in the trunk, so it was easier to run the wires along the passenger side and through the firewall to the front.  I buried the relays next to the glove box and stashed any extra length of wire in the passenger kick panel.  The rest of the installation was straight forward.  I don't have it running yet to say how it performs.  Hopefully soon. 

[Lotsapins]

I'm trying to get a shopping list together for things I'd like to start piecing together for my car. A Vintage Air kit is in the running for something I'd like to do to the car. I am planning on using a 5.7L Hemi along with the compressor that comes with it. So I would use the Vintage Air for the HVAC box, dash controls, vents and condenser/drier.

Anyone have good/bad things to say? They're quoting $1,100 for the non-A/C car kit minus the compressor and hoses.

My stuff was like $1120. I bought it through Modern Muscle.  I got the non A/C Kit but added the factory vent adapters so I could use an A/C dash pad and have the factory vents other than the under dash ones. All the big names are dealers for Vintage Air. I got some sort of discount, but I also bought the Fuel tank and filter regulator. The discount basically covered the shipping. Modern Muscle is great to work with as is Bouchillon. They all work deals, but they get better the more you buy. I got my Radiator and fans from Wizard. Theirs looks  more like the factory radiator with the down flow where the other do the cross flow with the tanks on each end like GM. They kicked a pretty good deal too. You just have to spend time calling and pricing. Mine is still in the mock up stages, so I don't have a opinion on the performance, plus it's a convertible so it makes it a tough comparison.

[anlauto]

If you put one of these kits in...does anything protrude from the firewall ? What do you do with the factory holes ?

[Lotsapins]

If you put one of these kits in...does anything protrude from the firewall ? What do you do with the factory holes ?

It uses the blower motor hole in the non ac setup. Has a plate that the lines go through mounted with the 3 blower motor mount holes.

[anlauto]

It uses the blower motor hole in the non ac setup. Has a plate that the lines go through mounted with the 3 blower motor mount holes.

Oh that's cool...I was wondering why they specified A/C or Non A/C.....
I have a potential customer that wants to add A/C to a Hemi clone.....Next question is about mounting the compressor...Is there a kit for mounting it under the alternator ? Maybe a MARCH surpentine pulley system....?

[Lotsapins]

Oh that's cool...I was wondering why they specified A/C or Non A/C.....
I have a potential customer that wants to add A/C to a Hemi clone.....Next question is about mounting the compressor...Is there a kit for mounting it under the alternator ? Maybe a MARCH surpentine pulley system....?

That I can't help with. Mine is a 2013 6.4 Hemi takeout. We are using the original 6.4 compressor, but I'm sure someone makes brackets for a late style compressor. Try Bouchelon ...

[Sonnythebull]

 Vintage air is the best I have it in my 73 challenger and 2 hot rods and it's perfect for years
I hope I can put together a solution for the Porsche 356 I just bought with vintage air

[johns cuda shop]

Lots of compressor bracket options here http://www.bouchillonperformance.com/ac_compressor_brackets

[eagetal96]

Would you all say that purchasing a new kit would be easier/cheaper than using an old original a/c setup? My car had it as a factory add on but I'm not sure its worth digging in to as I have no idea what it will take to make it work again. I don't think its been used since about 1978.

[Mickm]

 :rebel:I have Vintage air in my '72 and in my street rod and it's awesome! I would definitely go with the newer system.
More dependable,better working and sanitary looking system at the end of the day.
Personally, I like the looks of the Vintage Air vent pod at the bottom of the dash. They did a very good job of making it look like
it should be there.