Aftermarket Air Conditioning

I cant seem to find much info on aftermarket a/c for 3rd gens. searching the forum. How many of you guys have installed it? What brand did you go with and why? What did you pay? I know ther is Vintage Air, Hotrod Air, Classic and I think a couple others. Which ones allow you to use your stock controls and air outlets? Is there a charge for converting your controls over? I believe I read it was 150.00 on the Vintage Air.
I am at a point now with the body work that I need to know what holes to close up on the fire wall.

Let's see some pictures of your aftermarket a/c's and tell us about it. :yes:

http://www.latestbuy.com.au/img/product-Images/sfan-350b.jpg

I have vintage Air on my 68 and it uses my original controls to activate the system.

I bought the unit that they advertise as "sure fit", but still had to make some modifications.

It does a good job of cooling the car. I can't post pictures - sorry.

I am in the process of installing a Vintage Air/Heating System in my 68 and they call it a Sure-Fit unit,it is everything but a sure fit .I would definately not purchase a vintage air as I am having all kinds of trouble making it fit under the dash,and the dryer that is mounted on the condenser does not fit properly in front of the rad,so you have to mount the dryer some where else.
I also had to remove my radio to get the driver's side defrost ducts in.Here are some pictures but like I said I have not finished yet.I am going to use my old heater box cover to route my A/C hoses through as they only give you a plastic cover which doesn't look too good.I called up Vintage Air and they offered me no solutions and they said that it should fit,yeh I know it should but it doesn't.I hope this might help you with your decision.I paid around $1200 but I am in Canada,so it is probably cheaper in the states

[http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t155/Canuck917/PICT0364.jpg

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I have a 72 with Vintage air.

I went with the super gen II system. I purchased their switch panel.

I closed off the heater box and mounted it there.

Good Luck

Oh it cost me around 1200.00 when all said and done

A member on here, RICH, is has used all three of the big A/C companies, and swears by the Vintage Air. Yes they can all convert stock controls to modern setups. Also heard that the surefits work good but the Gen IV universal works great. I'm going to go with the GEN IV when I do mine. Looks like its going to run me around 1200 bucks when all and done.

DSE makes a nice mounting bracket for the Gen II. It does hang down below the dash a little bit. DSE also makes a nice close out panel for using Vintage Air's standard controll panel in the stock location. Of course they're listed as only fitting a 69 Camaro, but the dash metal and firewall are the exact same between the two cars.

I'm looking at the Vintage Air Gen IV and it looks like you can let it stick partially through the heater box hole in the firewall. Then build a box around it. Am I correct?

I'm looking at the Vintage Air Gen IV and it looks like you can let it stick partially through the heater box hole in the firewall. Then build a box around it. Am I correct?

I just checked the size of the Gen IV on their website. You will probably have to do something like you're saying to use that unit.

I would go with the Gen II Compac unit. Spend the money on the bracket that DSE makes. Here's the bracket. http://www.detroitspeed.com/productpages/indproduct/bodyprod/compac_bracket_prod.htm
The one for the 69 Camaro will bolt right in a Nova. I have a Gen II and the DSE bracket and it fits prefectly fine. Nothing is hooked up at this time though so i can't tell you how good it works.

I just checked the size of the Gen IV on their website. You will probably have to do something like you're saying to use that unit.

I would go with the Gen II Compac unit. Spend the money on the bracket that DSE makes. Here's the bracket. http://www.detroitspeed.com/productpages/indproduct/bodyprod/compac_bracket_prod.htm
The one for the 69 Camaro will bolt right in a Nova. I have a Gen II and the DSE bracket and it fits prefectly fine. Nothing is hooked up at this time though so i can't tell you how good it works.

Do you have a pic of the box in the car?

Do you have a pic of the box in the car?

No i don't have a picture. Not sure when i'll be able to get one either. I'm unable to work on the car at this time.

So it sounds like to Vintage kit is the way to go. This is factory A/C car so hope that doesn't make a diff. As far as the firewall goes... I can tell the body shop to close the old box and fan holes? Then I can punch the bulkhead holes later?

So it sounds like to Vintage kit is the way to go. This is factory A/C car so hope that doesn't make a diff. As far as the firewall goes... I can tell the body shop to close the old box and fan holes? Then I can punch the bulkhead holes later?

That's what i would do. What's wrong with the factory AC?

What's wrong with the factory AC?

Alot of the factory a/c is missing. Compressor, condenser, and some of the ducting under the dash. The control has a broken lever. I figured by the time I peice it all back together I would spend as much as an aftermarket system. Never have priced it all out though. And I like the cleaner look of the aftermarket a/c.

I have factory "2 55" A/C. :D

-dan