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Aftermarket AC Systems

crahill39

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Hello,

I am looking in to going aftermarket AC for my 71 GTX vs having my original restored. I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations. Vintage doesn't make a model specific for this year I am looking at all options. I can get my original restored, but I am concerned about how well it will perform as I am looking for performance over just having the factory setup in place. Anyone?

Thanks,

Craig
 
Classic Auto Air, Tampa. Ice cold for 10 years. R134. Check for your application.
 
Maybe someone has developed the tech to use 134a in older type systems. I thought it was compatable except for the rubber hoses but not sure about suction throttle valve systems. I'm more familiar with orifice tube systems. That said, I have used R134ain a bunch of old cars originally R12 systems. If all the pieces are there just charge it up and see how long it lasts. That will give you an indication of the size of the leak. ANY A/C is better than none .
 
If the heater, A/C box and controls are in decent condition, I would stay with those, and change out the under hood components for R134 stuff.
The aftermarket units use different controls, and I don't think have the fresh-air vent function? I did the Vintage air conversion on my '69 Coronet (they have a kit for the early B-Bodys) and it works good, but the install (per the kit) is a bit oddball with the lines routed under the fender, and the blower only recycles the in-cabin air (no fresh air inlet to the blower motor.)

For the 71-74, I would change the compressor to the newer sanden type, make all new hoses, and replace the drier. I'm not sure if the expansion valve would need to be replaced? The Vintage air Condenser with drier and pressure switch actuall fit pretty good on my '69.
 
You are in the same boat as me. My car is a 65 which is covered by nobody, so I'm improvising and will be using a Haymaker unit from Restomod Air. I rented the mock up box to fit things up. Made some brackets to mount it to the firewall and will be running the plumbing between the inner and outer fenders.
 
You are in the same boat as me. My car is a 65 which is covered by nobody, so I'm improvising and will be using a Haymaker unit from Restomod Air. I rented the mock up box to fit things up. Made some brackets to mount it to the firewall and will be running the plumbing between the inner and outer fenders.
I looked real hard at those units and was seriously interested. The only thing that stopped me was I would have to do something about the area where the blower motor mounted on the firewall. I decided to go with a restored unit and run a Sanden style AC compressor and new lines for r134. Now I am down to deciding on which Serpentine system to go with :)
 
For my serpentine system, I got the one from SD Concepts. Jerry is a Mopar dude. His set up uses readily available accessories, which is a plus if you breakdown on a sunday in a rural area, and does not look like something designed for the transformer movies. sdconcepts.com

IMG_1580.JPG
 
For my serpentine system, I got the one from SD Concepts. Jerry is a Mopar dude. His set up uses readily available accessories, which is a plus if you breakdown on a sunday in a rural area, and does not look like something designed for the transformer movies. sdconcepts.com

View attachment 433683

I have looked at this system and talked with Jerry. I am also looking at the all inclusive system by CVF Racing - https://www.cvfracing.com/Serpentine-System-for-Big-Block-Mopar-383-426-440-p/440-wraptor-ac.htm . CVF racing is now offering the system in Anodized Black as well and overall it's less expensive than SD Concepts. It's a hard choice, but it may all come down to budget and the CVF racing setup also includes the water pump housing and pump. I have to say your engine pic looks mighty good though with that setup !

Craig
 
That CVF racing system looks like a copy of the Billet Specialities setup.
Several years ago when there was not much out there, I got the expensive Billet Specialities setup. Overall I like it, but the remote reservoir power steering is alot of extra plumbing. I also added a power steering cooler while plumbing in the remote reservoir. The other thing is the brackets and pulleys move everything forward, so there is not much room between the waterpump pulley and the radiator.
trutrack1.jpg
 
That CVF racing system looks like a copy of the Billet Specialities setup.
Several years ago when there was not much out there, I got the expensive Billet Specialities setup. Overall I like it, but the remote reservoir power steering is alot of extra plumbing. I also added a power steering cooler while plumbing in the remote reservoir. The other thing is the brackets and pulleys move everything forward, so there is not much room between the waterpump pulley and the radiator.
View attachment 434179

I really like the clean look of that setup. I have pulled the trigger on the CVF Racing Racing and hopefully will not be regretting it.

Craig
 
That CVF setup is about 1/2 the cost of the Billet Specialities system, and looks almost the same.
I can say, the Billet Specialities setup did come with a new Mopar Performance waterpump housing and waterpump.
If you are plumbing the power steering with AN lines, let us know what power steering fitting you used? I drilled the inside of the fitting for the spring to match the stock nipple fitting spring relief. Because I had the battery in the stock location, I mounted the reservoir in front of the radiator support.
I am currently re-wiring the engine compartment for the new FAST 2.0 XFI fuel injection, and I am moving the battery to the trunk, so maybe I will move the reservoir to the inner fender where the battery was?
 
I was originally thinking of using the BS package as I love its appearance, compactness etc. Later on I found out they have some issues with the idlers so that became a deal killer for me. With the SDC setup, I can source replacement parts easily when needed, which for me is a major requirement. Hopefully your stuff gives you miles of fun.
 
I was originally thinking of using the BS package as I love its appearance, compactness etc. Later on I found out they have some issues with the idlers so that became a deal killer for me. With the SDC setup, I can source replacement parts easily when needed, which for me is a major requirement. Hopefully your stuff gives you miles of fun.

The funny part is with everything installed, Example: radiator, cooling fans, radiator hoses, intake plumbing (front mount throttle body on the Edelbrock XT manifold), you really don't see much of the accessory drive. I like the SDC setup, and if it was avaliable several years when I did the conversion, I likely would have used it.
 
Well I got my restored AC Box last night. However, UPS did a real good job of packing it and this is how it arrived:

Damaged AC.jpg


My day has been ruined over this.
 
wish you would have let me know the pricing was the deciding factor. we can beat anyones best price on a serpentine belt kit. sometimes takes a little extra looking to find a better price on parts.
 
I talked with a guy from Classic Auto Air. They are in Texas now. Their stuff is expected to have an outlet temperature in the upper 30s! My 2007 Ram 1500 was recharged recently and was 49 degrees. I didn't expect an aftermarket setup to beat a newer vehicle.
The heater and A/C has never worked in my Charger so a replacement kit sounds like the way to go for me.
 
I used the SDC serpentine kit and love it, very nice setup.
 
I talked with a guy from Classic Auto Air. They are in Texas now. Their stuff is expected to have an outlet temperature in the upper 30s! My 2007 Ram 1500 was recharged recently and was 49 degrees. I didn't expect an aftermarket setup to beat a newer vehicle.
The heater and A/C has never worked in my Charger so a replacement kit sounds like the way to go for me.
When we tested my Vintage Air unit it was pumping out 30 degrees, I can drive the whole 25 minutes home from work in my Cruze with the A/C cranked to the max..... I'm usually freezing in 5 minutes with the Vintage Air.
 
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