Has anyone out there had experience installing a vintage air kit in a 65 chevelle, non factory air? One shop quoted me 16 hrs. labor @ 55.00/hr. Ouchhhhhh, almost 900.00 seems a tad bit high. What do you guys think? Thanks for your input and assistance.

Well, I'm gearing up to do it on a 69, but I have read here that it isn't that tough to do, just time consuming. I also was speaking to a local hot rod shop that is a vintage air dealer and he also told me it is a pretty straight forward install - now this is in reference to the surefit system FWIW.

Thank's Smittie, The sure fit system is what I have ordered. I'm sure I can do 90% myself. My budget won't allow that 55.00/hr stuff.

My 59 Elky was not too bad.
The hardest part is hanging the unit under the dash all by yerself.
Once that is done---you can just skate thru the rest.

Unless you absolutely have to have stock controls -- or if you're only going to use the A/C portion, stay away from the Sure-Fit. The defrost and heater portions are terrible. Poor heat and poor defrost.

Plus, to change out the heater hoses, you have to remove the kick-panel bulkhead and then reseal it. Plus, the micro-switches that interact with the stock controls are garbage. Plus, when you call tech support and and you're on there forever because the whole system is convoluted, they get pissy.

My radiator shop says that the Gen II from Vintage Air is a much better design overall.

658 Chevy, That's the kind of stuff I want to hear about. I have not had experience with any after market units.Thank you very much. I will be on the phone tomorrow with vintage.

I've had Vintage air for over 2 years univeral fit with no problems be very careful about routing hoses heater lines are unidirectional and effect cooling if mixed up.

I installed a "sure don't fit" in my 69 and I'm with 658chevy, If I had it to do over I would go with the genII.
Only problem w/genII is if ya want to keep the stock look you would have to figure how to hide the controls as they are electronic.
I also don't like the way they are ducted so ya loose your Astro vent for fresh air, there defrost ducts are also junk.
I redesigned all that and kept my defrost and Astro Vents.
I have never hooked up the heater on mine as I live in Fla. so I couldn't say about that?
As far as operation, the VA works really well to cool the car even in the Fla 100+ summers.
Hope this helps T.C.

Thanks TC, Iv'e talked to several street rod people who have these units. So far I'm getting more pro's than cons. I may be sorry but I have decided to go ahead and use the vintage unit. Thanks to everyone for your input.

When the whole kit arrives, don't be intimidated. Read the instructions, don't just skim them. Follow it one step at a time, and you'll be fine. I love mine, and it works great on those 110 degree days.

Dont get me wrong it works fine, it's just I would have done it differently knowing what I know now.
I juess that's hind sight?
If ya look at my showroom and web site you may get some ideas on saving your fresh air vents ?
T.C.

I am putting a Gen IV in my 65 now. No problems with the fit, but the hoses they send are too short to reach the compressor if your are putting it on the drivers side. Will take some time, approx 10 hours to put all the pieces on but it is something you can do at home without any problems.

I installed the Surefit Vintage Air System in my 66 back in June of 99. I have had not one issue with the system in 9 yrs!!!! It has worked great!!! Haven't even added refrigerant since the original install. It was a easy install too!!!

I am presently installing a sure-fit in a 70 chevelle and hope that the switches work better than someone mentioned. Bending the original cables on the controls seams tight. the best thing I did was can the original hoses for new ones. The air conditioning supply near us uses hose with the same ID but OD is smaller and believe me when you are fishing hose threw two grommets around corners in the firewall that smaller diameter is a big deal. Another plus is the ends will swivel when done, so alignment is not a big issue.