Classic Auto Air vs Vintage Air for non AC car

[TexasRoadRunner68]

Trying to decide between the two for a 68-70 b body. Any thoughts on performance or quality? Classic Auto air seems to advertise more capacity and better cooling. The way they build in the controls is nice as well.

I might be able to get Vintage air at a good discount, otherwise they seem priced similarly.

 

[Kern Dog]

I have written extensively on this subject.
If you do a search in the correct forums, you'll find numerous threads on this topic.
In short, I liked the CAA kit more.
EDIT:
It may just be my experience but while CAA was an easier installation, VA seems to offer a wide variety of options to customize the installation. This is both good and bad in that too many choices can be confusing. Both seemed to work quite well once installed.

 

[Don67Satellite]

In evaluating the options to add AC to my '67, after reading installation instructions, and numerous threads here on the subject, I really think Classic Auto Air is the winner, for me.

It's a very clean looking installation with seemingly minimal modifications needed.

 

[Jerry Hall]

I bought Classic Auto Air for my 67 Satellite 5.7 Hemi 5-speed. They assembled a custom kit to suit my car, at a reasonable price.

 

[hanks73340]

I learned from KD's thesis and also purchased the CAA kit.

 

[jeepthrills01]

Not trying to hijack...just something for the OP to consider..and some of yall may know

Is it a safe assumption that both systems use recycled air with no blend function?

 

[Billccm]

My decision to buy Vintage Air was based on the controller staying in the stock location and the existing vents were adapted to the new duct work.

It is impressive in the Vintage Air kit that the original controls are modified and upgraded from vacuum to electronic.

Refrigeration wise Classic Air and Vintage Air use the same compressor and likely the same Chinesium condenser, dryer, etc, so cooling performance is probably the same.

 

[451Mopar]

I haven't used Classic Auto Air, so I can't comment on that.
I used the Vintage Auto Air in the Convertible, but using the sanden SD-7 compressor that comes with the Billet Specialities Tru-Track system.
I like just about everything except the way they route the lines under the fender. Some might like that the lines are somewhat hidden?
The Condenser and dryer are a nice setup that fits well on front of the radiator.
The electronic controls in the stock location are nice too.
The convertible did not have A/C so used the under dash vents that vintage air supplied.
As mentioned, used re-cycle cabin air, and blocks off the fresh air hole in the cowl.

 

[70ChargerRT]

I haven't used Classic Auto Air, so I can't comment on that.
I used the Vintage Auto Air in the Convertible, but using the sanden SD-7 compressor that comes with the Billet Specialities Tru-Track system.
I like just about everything except the way they route the lines under the fender. Some might like that the lines are somewhat hidden?
The Condenser and dryer are a nice setup that fits well on front of the radiator.
The electronic controls in the stock location are nice too.
The convertible did not have A/C so used the under dash vents that vintage air supplied.
As mentioned, used re-cycle cabin air, and blocks off the fresh air hole in the cowl.

I wouldn’t have it any other way as far as the line routing. It’s so much neater. To me for a non ac car the Vintage air would be the only way to go. If you wanted to upgrade a factory AC car I would go with Classic.

 

[TexasRoadRunner68]

I learned from KD's thesis and also purchased the CAA

I wouldn’t have it any other way as far as the line routing. It’s so much neater. To me for a non ac car the Vintage air would be the only way to go. If you wanted to upgrade a factory AC car I would go with Classic.

View attachment 1726789

I like the Classic Auto Air controller better for sure.

 

[70ChargerRT]

View attachment 1726802

??

 

[Billccm]

For 1967 and older Mopar applications I believe Classic Air does not have a stock control solution.

 

[Jerry Hall]

For 1967 and older Mopar applications I believe Classic Air does not have a stock control solution.

My Classic Auto Air is using the stock non Air controls.

 

[RJRENTON]

Trying to decide between the two for a 68-70 b body. Any thoughts on performance or quality? Classic Auto air seems to advertise more capacity and better cooling. The way they build in the controls is nice as well.

I might be able to get Vintage air at a good discount, otherwise they seem priced similarly.

B4 you make a decision, your statement: "Classic Auto air seems to advertise more capacity and better cooling" MEANS NOTHING....what are the published cooling numbers....in meaningful numbers. The cooling capacity of an A/C system is rated in BTU/hr at a published temperature (air temperature coming off the evaporated coil..inside car) at a published condenser inlet temperature (outside temperature or ambient temp). Remember to factor in your inquiry, that the compressor's capacity is reduced at lower RPM (slow driving at high ambient temps), the color of the car (black and dark colors require additional cooling capacity) due to higher sensible heat load (sunlight, engine heat, heat from mufflers, etc) on the vehicle and the A/C system because of the color, what is the refrigerant used: R-134A or the new type R-1234-YF (new and expensive)...the new refrigerant has great specific heat characteristics (works better)......compare the vendors system capacities AND prices....do you own do diligence....and ASK SPECIFICS QUESTIONS of the vendor...not what your buddy thinks.....installation questions (hose routings, bracketry, etc, TBD)......Just my opinion of course......
BOB RENTON

 

[Jc cooper]

I haven't used Classic Auto Air, so I can't comment on that.
I used the Vintage Auto Air in the Convertible, but using the sanden SD-7 compressor that comes with the Billet Specialities Tru-Track system.
I like just about everything except the way they route the lines under the fender. Some might like that the lines are somewhat hidden?
The Condenser and dryer are a nice setup that fits well on front of the radiator.
The electronic controls in the stock location are nice too.
The convertible did not have A/C so used the under dash vents that vintage air supplied.
As mentioned, used re-cycle cabin air, and blocks off the fresh air hole in the cowl.

But not on the drivers , it remains available, so when wife gets cold just add atouch of out side air , !

 

[Dennis H]

Classic. Reliable. Many years. No recharge ever. Recently 49 at the vent, cycling nicely.

 

[TexasRoadRunner68]

I caved and bought the Classic Auto kit. I have heard it performs better, and for me the layout of the controls looked way better than how the Vintage Auto Air unit was set up.

 

[70ChargerRT]

Classic. Reliable. Many years. No recharge ever. Recently 49 at the vent, cycling nicely.

Man that seems a little warm don’t it? My vintage air was at least 10 degrees colder at 39 coming out the center vent.

 

[Dennis H]

Yup. Been 15 years. Dash vent in sun too.

 

[gtxdana]

Man that seems a little warm don’t it? My vintage air was at least 10 degrees colder at 39 coming out the center vent.

That might be a little warm, but a lot of factors contribute to center vent temperature: ambient air temp, how long the system has been running, air flow through the condenser, etc.

As far as the Vintage Air and Classic Auto Air debate goes, I have VA in three of my other cars and I've had problems in all three at install, or at very low miles. Of course, I had to pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket just for the parts to do all three repairs. One leaking hose at their crimp in one car and control units in each of the other two. While they do work okay, I do have to carry the jumper wire to recalibrate the system in one of the cars for when it decides it doesn't want to respond to the control unit inputs correctly. And no, it's not due to my installation or a wiring problem.

On my GTX, I'm going to try the Classic Auto Air system. It's an original V-Code car, so of course, it wasn't available with a/c. The CAA controls resemble the stock non-a/c controls. I wasn't too keen on that plate VA wants you to use on the firewall and since I was going for more of a dealer installed a/c look, and running the hoses and lines under the fender wasn't going to work either.