Hey guys,
While I have it all apart I was thinking of converting my non-ac 1970 Chevelle to a factory appearing ac car. Would I be better off doing this with all factory parts or going the vintage air route? Does anybody know of anyplace that sells an entire kit to add the factory setup to the car? Will this require any modifications to the firewall?
Thanks in advance,
Brian

Just my opinion but I think you would be better off with vintage air. factory air requires firewall cutting. I don't think anyone sells a complete factory set up.

The factory ac mounts over the valve cover so no tall v/c if you go roller rockers and a gurdle
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m187/fshrmn_2006/newupload117.jpg

Just my opinion, but...

I don't like the way the Classic Auto Air is set up to go through the firewall, but I do like that it keeps the dash looking stock.

I much prefer the Vintage air and Frontrunner set up with the A/C and heater lines routed above the left wheel well and through the firewall where it's hidden, but I HATE the fact that you have to make the dash look modified.

Neither gives you a true stock appearance under the hood, which would be tough even if you can gather all the parts.

I would suggest that you do some searches to look at A/C posts from the past, get some additional insight from others who have done it already, and then speak with both companies. Also before lifting a single wrench or ordering anything, try to find a nearby restoration shop that will share some of their PRACTICAL knowledge with you.

I hope that Classic and Vintage read this post and work something out so you can use the stock controls and with the A/C lines hidden as above, at least keep the heater box area looking stock. (Then again maybe someone already has! :D If so, please post the details and pics.)

Fred - Why not send a PM to Dwight at Classic Air? His user name on here is:

'67 vette guy

He's always responded to me.

I too think the Classic Air is a much better designed and made system. But I like your idea of hiding the hoses under the fender.

I've installed 4 Classic units in different Chevelles. I order the hot rod box with the Chevelle controls. I run the lines throught the existing hole for the blower motor. Works great.

I've installed 4 Classic units in different Chevelles. I order the hot rod box with the Chevelle controls. I run the lines throught the existing hole for the blower motor. Works great.

CRUZN69, Very interesting!

Herb, better unit...inside the car, under the hood, both?

Still dislike the A/C compressor on the D/S.

Here's a post I bookmarked about a year ago.

Good Stuff!

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161997

CRUZN69, Very interesting!

Herb, better unit...inside the car, under the hood, both?

Still dislike the A/C compressor on the D/S.

I believe both companies use the same Sanden compressor and probably the same condensor. The condensor is a non-moving part. It's the under-dash part of the system that is the business end of the system. That's what cools the car. That's also where most heat/AC systems have failures of heater or AC cores, fan motors, actuators, etc.etc. That's where I feel Classic Air has a better unit under the dash. First of all, if anything ever happens to it (it being the "suitcase"), it can be open up and individual elements replaced. I believe the V/A system has to be sent back to them to crack the case.

I like the fact that I have spoken with them several times and the are very responsive. I know you have a 70 but, for me, it's important that they have done installs in 67's and know what it takes. You can actually download the 67 install instructions off their web site. The first time I called them about a system, they sent me the 67 Chevelle install instructions with actual pictures by mail, no charge. They've even done installs in 67 AC cars, which is my case, and know the differences and how to deal with them. Dwight actually PM'd me about some of them. You may find they've done installs in 70's. Ask them.

Functionally you can mount the compressor on either side. The unit doesn't care where it's mounted. The only difference is the length of the hoses and which mount you use of course. You can on a 67 install. A 70 shouldn't be that different.

When I look at the specs and literature on the two products, I feel the C/A is a better unit for my money.

Also just an FYI - on 67's (may have changed in 70's) there is a significant difference in the body between an AC and non-AC car. In 67, they welded in an entirely different cab corner and firewall on the right front quarter of the cab. I have both types of bodys and was able to examine the difference in them closely. I wanted to do the opposite of you, make the AC body a non-AC body and add an after market unit later. It would have required too much cutting and welding. Keeping the AC body config. and using the Graffiti AC delete kit was the easiest solution for me. However, now I will need to retrofit an after market AC unit designed for non-AC bodys into an AC configured body. Classic already understands the issues related to doing this in Chevelles. They've done a couple themselves.