This may not be a tough sell for she who keeps the budget, she likes to drive in comfort...
I'm thinking about adding an AC system for my 73 Cuda which did not come with it originally. Does the Vintage Air system completely replace the under dash heater box assembly or does it need to work with it somehow? My heater core tubes were hacked off at the firewall so if it replaces the OEM stuff, it will save me some work/expense and becomes even more desirable.
I have a Classic Auto Air in my non-AC Challenger. Theirs and Vintage Air's system replaces the heater box, uses the driver side air box for fresh air, and blocks off the passenger vent.
https://www.vintageair.com/instructions_pdf/571074-EDZ.pdf
They are very good to help. Tell them what you have and what you want and they will set you up.
You don't need anything from the original system to install the non-factory ac kit.
I have vintage air in my non-a/c Cuda.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180515/3e385ba6abcfb94b83f628351a5c18ef.jpg)
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From what I have seen you don't have to modify the firewall either. The heater core lines still go through their original holes but the AC lines go through the stock blower-motor hole. :bigthumb:
Quote from: GoodysGotaCuda on May 15, 2018, 01:40:08 PM
You don't need anything from the original system to install the non-factory ac kit.
I have vintage air in my non-a/c Cuda.
Quote from: RzeroB on May 15, 2018, 02:17:01 PM
From what I have seen you don't have to modify the firewall either. The heater core lines still go through their original holes but the AC lines go through the stock blower-motor hole. :bigthumb:
What they said, I have it also! :iagree:
Some pics for you.
Great, thanks for the pics. When it comes time to do the dash, I think this is going to happen.
how about pictures of vintage air compressor.......new brackets?
thinking of switching my stock compressor....
I have Vinatage Air in my 74 Challenger factory original AC car. It went in easily and beautifully. It replaces the heater box, uses the original in dash air outlets and is all electronic.. i.e no cables to the heater hoses. It also has a heater/air control panel that replaces the factory perfectly. Its has variable fan control and heater/cooled air blend.
Only complaint, I have, is that it has you block off the original fresh air inlet, and is basically in max air (recirculate the interior) mode. I don't like this as if i want to drive with windows up (for highway speeds i don't like buffeting air) on a cool day, i still have to run the AC or it gets too warm inside since there is no outside air coming in.
Quote from: chargerdon on May 16, 2018, 07:15:20 AM
I have Vinatage Air in my 74 Challenger factory original AC car. It went in easily and beautifully. It replaces the heater box, uses the original in dash air outlets and is all electronic.. i.e no cables to the heater hoses. It also has a heater/air control panel that replaces the factory perfectly. Its has variable fan control and heater/cooled air blend.
Only complaint, I have, is that it has you block off the original fresh air inlet, and is basically in max air (recirculate the interior) mode. I don't like this as if i want to drive with windows up (for highway speeds i don't like buffeting air) on a cool day, i still have to run the AC or it gets too warm inside since there is no outside air coming in.
You at least left the drivers side fresh air vent, right? I use that on mine to manage recirc.
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Mine is a 74 with factory air, and the fresh air system was to open the right side air inlet using the heat/air controls which then sent the air thru the dash vents. I certainly didn't remove or block anything on the drivers side... So, unless i'm missing something there is no drivers side vent.
A/C cars don't have a drivers side fresh air vent...
Quote from: 1 Wild R/T on May 16, 2018, 09:46:36 AM
A/C cars don't have a drivers side fresh air vent...
Well that sucks. I assume there are no provisions in the cowl to retrofit it?
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Quote from: GoodysGotaCuda on May 16, 2018, 09:56:43 AM
Quote from: 1 Wild R/T on May 16, 2018, 09:46:36 AM
A/C cars don't have a drivers side fresh air vent...
Well that sucks. I assume there are no provisions in the cowl to retrofit it?
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Nope... One of many reason why I recommend if you have an A/C car you keep the stock stuff under the dash & just replace the compressor with a Sanden & add a relay or two to the blower so it actually gets enough amperage to move some air...
Quote from: 1 Wild R/T on May 16, 2018, 11:08:44 AM
Quote from: GoodysGotaCuda on May 16, 2018, 09:56:43 AM
Quote from: 1 Wild R/T on May 16, 2018, 09:46:36 AM
A/C cars don't have a drivers side fresh air vent...
Well that sucks. I assume there are no provisions in the cowl to retrofit it?
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Nope... One of many reason why I recommend if you have an A/C car you keep the stock stuff under the dash & just replace the compressor with a Sanden & add a relay or two to the blower so it actually gets enough amperage to move some air...
That being said, I'm not sure how much modifying it would take, but there's a bit of room for a vent on the passenger side with my installation. Seems feasible, but may need some creativity.
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My '72 was not an air car originally and I installed Vintage air as soon as I got the car. You reaaally need it in Louisiana!
In my initial install I used the underdash vent. It looked good and worked great but I personally like the vents in the dash.
So, when I laying out the rebuild and was going considering what to do with the dash pad, I decided to have Just Dashes redo my dash pad incorporating the original vents and hook up the Vintage Air to them.
This introduced the fact the in-dash vents are not reproduced, so I found a set and rebuilt them.
Until I read this topic, I was not aware that Air cars did not have fresh air boxes. I rebuilt mine so I have fresh air on the drivers side, which is a very cool thing to have on a day when it's not hot enough for ac but you need some air coming in the cabin.
If I were you and could add the drivers side air box, I would. Others here can tell you what it would take to do this more than me.
The only problem I have with my Vintage Air is the wife complains that it gets too cold when we driving. She refers to it as the "Slurpy Machine"! lol
Cheers!
Mickm
When initially looking at adding a L vent it would seem like an easy project, the problem is there needs to be a water damn up in the cowl box or else when you get caught in a rain event or wash the car water will pour in through the vent... You could probably fabricate something that could be inserted from below with caulking or maybe the better call would be panel bonding adhesive....