Vintage Air Install Cost

[vance.dykes]

I like the way you put the compressor under the alternator. How hard was that and where do you get the brackets needed?

it took me 12 hr to fab the brackets. taking the compressor in and out many times i bought a chevy big block bracket kit from vintage air then made 2 new brackets with out the slide hole with 1 hole to keep in place then used cvf pulleys and brackets and idler pulley i got the idea from 5.7 hemi and his build .but the main bracket bolts up to where the fuel pump on block as i have the pro-flow 4 so i dont use the factory fuel pump. i have 650.00 in parts for this pulley system

 

[vektro69]

it took me 12 hr to fab the brackets. taking the compressor in and out many times i bought a chevy big block bracket kit from vintage air then made 2 new brackets with out the slide hole with 1 hole to keep in place then used cvf pulleys and brackets and idler pulley i got the idea from 5.7 hemi and his build .but the main bracket bolts up to where the fuel pump on block as i have the pro-flow 4 so i dont use the factory fuel pump. i have 650.00 in parts for this pulley system

Looks great!! I’m afraid that’s above my skill level!! May just mount it on the driver side

 

[vance.dykes]

Looks great!! I’m afraid that’s above my skill level!! May just mount it on the driver side

there is a bracket to mount where the power steering pump would go . i have 1900.00 in the a/c kit plus the pulleys and extra brackets

 

[vektro69]

there is a bracket to mount where the power steering pump would go . i have 1900.00 in the a/c kit plus the pulleys and extra brackets

Is that from Vintage? Just trying to get a nice clean look Don't think I can make my own brackets, so what's the next best way to mount it?
Thanks for your help!!

 

[kiwigtx]

When I sent my Dodge A100 out to have the Vintage Air system hooked up, it cost me NZ$2,200 - which is about US$1450 currently. I was happy to pay that, as I knew I would get a quality installation, and the guys being JW's were straight shooters. I had fitted up the bracket for the evaporator as part of the restoration, and purchased all the parts except for the extra relay and flexible hosing that they used. My system was not an 'off the shelf' kit due to the design of the system. Used a Toyota Hiace (cab-over style Japanese van) condenser/fan unit to not harm the external cool air flow to the radiator - horizontally mounted underneath the foot-well. Really pleased with how the job turned out, and it still works well after 10 years.

 

[Cornpatch MO]

With the help of a buddy, we are going to take the a833 out and install a TKO 600. Also, doing a disc brake conversion on the front. So, I do like to wrench around a bit, and save a little money here or there. Also, I don’t mind having someone do some other things that I have no experience doing, nor the desire to try. I just want a fair price.
I called another shop, by the way, in the same town of 12,000 or so, who said about 2 days labor, $50/ hr so about $800. His total unit and install estimate was $2200-$2400. He has installed several VA units and has been in business for 20 yrs.
Sounds like a very fair price, so I put down a $1000 deposit today, and may have do a few other things, as well.
Thanks for all the responses! Can find info on everything on here!!

If he does nice work, I think you did OK....................MO

 

[Cornpatch MO]

Just a heads up. Since my satellite had factory air, I ordered the kit for a factory air set up. The bracket they sent me to mount the compressor used some of the factory air brackets and was hideous. I had removed all that stuff to clean things up. I exchanged for a non factory bracket and it all worked out fine.................MO

 

[vance.dykes]

Is that from Vintage? Just trying to get a nice clean look Don't think I can make my own brackets, so what's the next best way to mount it?
Thanks for your help!!

the a/c mount for the power steering is from vintage air as well as the lower mount i used . look on there site under brackets they have a lot so look around there a lot there.

 

[vance.dykes]

if you want to do what i did buy the chevy lower mount for long water pump. then install the main bracket to the fuel pump mount on the block. then take the bracket and lay it on a piece of 1/4 thick mettle [ same as the supplied bracket] then cut out 2 of the brackets . lay then on top of one another clamp them together and drill 2 of the mounting holes and drill them these are for the compressor side then for the block side it gets a litter tricky.

 

[biomedtechguy]

I had the Vintage Air AC compressor deleted from my system, since I have the CVF Wraptor serpentine belt and accessories system going in. I also decided to keep my passenger fender access panel open, because the engine is tight on that fender anyway, and the Vintage Air system bulkhead takes up that space. Instead, I'm using a bulkhead like this:

and the installer is going to try to use the 2 holes the factory heater hoses go through, and locate the bulkhead in that area.
Here's a couple of pix

 

[biomedtechguy]

As far as installation goes, he is doing so much work, and I know how meticulous and experienced he is, I'm leaving a lot up to him. Yesterday he showed me a circuit breaker he's installing, and rerouting some power and ground lines, a common ground post inside the car under the dash, power busses...all designed for safety and reliability, and making any troubleshooting easier to do but less likely to be required.
That is how he does everything, and that's another reason why I wait to have him work on my car.

 

[vektro69]

Looks great. I’ve been thinking of adding the Wraptor too. It would put the compressor on the passenger side. Installer I found has not done a b body yet. Several Camaro and Chevelle cars, though. I need to figure out where the hoses go like you did. Want a clean look, but not make it too difficult on the guy

 

[vektro69]

Can I keep the clutch fan with the Wraptor? Or did you need to go electric?

 

[biomedtechguy]

Can I keep the clutch fan with the Wraptor? Or did you need to go electric?

My installer says electric, and I'm ok with that. Radiator not in the car yet, but I don't think I'll have room for the clutch fan, which he and I originally wanted to use. I am fine with that, and I already ordered the Dakota Digital PAC-2800BT electronic fan(s) control module. It comes with a 70 amp relay, and I'm going to add a 2nd one so each fan has its own relay and power circuit.
The app for the module is pretty cool too.
https://www.dakotadigital.com/index...id=1207/category_id=403/mode=prod/prd1207.htm

 

[biomedtechguy]

I’ve been thinking of adding the Wraptor too.

Go to the CVF Racing website!
They have other options too! The Beast, and others!

 

[vektro69]

Thanks. That Dakota set up looks cool! I have been on CVF site and looked around a bit. I have some time, as we still have to install the TKO and front brakes first

 

[biomedtechguy]

That Dakota set up looks cool!

I was so impressed by it, and I had already decided to sell the never installed, sealed VHX gauge system when I saw the RTX "Retro" gauge system in Mopar Connection online, and the HDX and RTX series have an app to set them up, I was so impressed by the fan control module app that I told the installer doing all the work on my Roadrunner that I would do the gauge setup and programming, and he just had to do the installation. Given that we agreed to a flat rate labor total, he was responsible for turnkey delivery, but I like working with the Dakota Digital apps so much, and it gives me insight, I relieved him of that responsibility. Besides, he is so enthusiastic about a great result and the choices I've made, the quality equipment I've bought, and the direction I'm taking the Roadrunner in, plus it's his nature to do a great job, he has done a lot that we hadn't discussed, and he hasn't asked for more money.

 

[64 Sportfury]

I installed a Sure Fit VA kit in my 68 Coronet Wagon w/fact a/c while doing an engine swap (SBM stroker). The kit was complete as could be, but having the engine removed made it easier for me. It's not very difficult but there are always things you have to modify or fabricate. This takes time. I previously installed a VA universal kit in my 40 Ford pickup and it was real tight for everything and more fabrication. The wagon install was a breeze in comparison. As mentioned, do some of the work yourself like removing the old box, seats, console. Or pay and all the headaches are his. Good luck

 

[Dennis H]

On the hidden compressor, not concerned who sees the Sanden Compressor front and center while I’m feeling 39 degrees at the vent. On the electric fans, the clutch fan cools well. When track mode is activated in the Hellcat it sounds like a Harrier Jet due to who the hell knows how many electric fans are running.

 

[biomedtechguy]

I just don't know if a mechanical fan is an option, at least until the radiator goes in, which may be tomorrow (Monday) Tuesday at the latest.
YES the electric fans are very noisy, and the Cold Case fans are the "quieter" curved bladed style!! The straight blades are louder.
I'll have to see. I don't have a preference for anything but performance, and the primary responsibility of the fan is keeping the engine cool.
BUT
One new factor is my AC condenser in front of the radiator. The mechanic wanted me to install a 3rd (I assume pusher) fan in front of the AC compressor. I really don't want to do that, and I told him I'd rather rely on the radiator fans to pull enough air through both the radiator and the condenser. The PAC-2800BT electronic fans control module has an AC fans on function, that I certainly intend to use.