Best Aftermarket AC Kit?
- Thread starter doogie67
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horseballz
10 Year Member
doogie67,
In my opinion, the downside with all of the aftermarket setups is that when installing they require blocking off the passenger side air vent which in effect gives you no fresh/outside air option. As a smoker, I'm a big fan of fresh as opposed to recirculating, not to mention it just feels more comfortable & natural to me. That being said, I know some folks who really like the Vintage Air stuff and some others that have had good luck with Classic Auto Air. Both setups have their own plusses & minuses, but both companies are reputed to have very good customer/product support. Personally, I think the best way to go is to find an OEM heater/AC box and control panel, refurb with new seals, etc, new heater core, upgrade the evaporator core with a new, modern high efficiency evaporator, new Sanden compressor, new high efficiency condenser and new hoses. In the end you'll likely spend similar $$$, but have the best of both worlds. Here's a link to a good vendor for
condensers/hoses/compressors/parts:
Aftermarket Air Conditioning For Automobiles and AC parts
Their complete kits don't look bad either, but I don't know anyone who has used them. I live in Las Vegas with a lot of 115+ degree days and am in the process of the upgrade I suggested. If you can wait for a full report on how well it works, I should be done in a week or so. My car is a 68 which is a little different but still basically similar components.
Just My $.02, or Maybe $.03,
Gene
In my opinion, the downside with all of the aftermarket setups is that when installing they require blocking off the passenger side air vent which in effect gives you no fresh/outside air option. As a smoker, I'm a big fan of fresh as opposed to recirculating, not to mention it just feels more comfortable & natural to me. That being said, I know some folks who really like the Vintage Air stuff and some others that have had good luck with Classic Auto Air. Both setups have their own plusses & minuses, but both companies are reputed to have very good customer/product support. Personally, I think the best way to go is to find an OEM heater/AC box and control panel, refurb with new seals, etc, new heater core, upgrade the evaporator core with a new, modern high efficiency evaporator, new Sanden compressor, new high efficiency condenser and new hoses. In the end you'll likely spend similar $$$, but have the best of both worlds. Here's a link to a good vendor for
condensers/hoses/compressors/parts:
Aftermarket Air Conditioning For Automobiles and AC parts
Their complete kits don't look bad either, but I don't know anyone who has used them. I live in Las Vegas with a lot of 115+ degree days and am in the process of the upgrade I suggested. If you can wait for a full report on how well it works, I should be done in a week or so. My car is a 68 which is a little different but still basically similar components.
Just My $.02, or Maybe $.03,
Gene
I installed a Vintage Air Gen IV system in my 67 that originally had A/C and it works great. It adapted my original A/C controls and used my original vents. I had to do zero cutting and the new unit is very efficient. The thing I think I like most about it is the fact that Gen IV systems are completely electronic, no cables to have to route or to bind so the controls all slide effortlessly and the fan control will ramp up your fan seamlessly (not low-med-high) and when it is on high...that bad boy will blow your toupee off! The kit was complete and even allowed me to wire it into my electric radiator fan to cut it on and off as the a/c cycled. It took me a weekend to install by myself. It acted a little goofy for a while, but thats because my alternator was dragging and not putting out enough amps...new alt, no problems. Thats my experience, hope that helps.
I installed the Old Air Products specific fit kit that has cooling, heat, and defrost. Everything installed easily and the instructions were easy and clear to follow. Took it to a local A/C shop to have the lines crimped and the system vacuumed and charged. It has worked very well and no problems.
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