Anyone running aftermarket A/C with their Hemi swap?

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Map63Vette

Map63Vette

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As the title states, is anyone running aftermarket A/C systems with their Hemi? I've been looking into a Classic Auto Air system to put in my 67 Dart to make it a little more all around cruiser as the summers here in Kansas can get awfully hot. I've got a bit of a unique setup, but I think I can use most of the kit minus the compressor and hoses that route to it as I'd be using the standard compressor that comes on the Hemi (a truck front cover in my case). My concern is the clearance for the fittings that come through the old blower motor spot as my valve cover is reasonably close and I've got some other stuff going on there (my MSD box and fuel filter), but I could probably reroute those. My dash is a different story as I've got a Raspberry Pi digital display hanging under it, so I wouldn't be running the under dash vents, but my plan at the moment is to add radio functionality to my Raspberry Pi and put the middle vents in the dash where the radio used to be. Previous owners have already cut up my dash for a modern radio, so I don't mind some more modification and it would get the airflow higher up, which would be nice.

All that said, anyone have pictures of their engine bay setup with A/C and a Hemi? Wanting to get an idea of what it looks like before I get too far into anything.
 
I've got a Vintage Air under the dash, and the stock AC compressor on my 6.1L. This is going to be one of my winter projects as I want AC next year as well.

Can't wait to see what other have already done.

Riddler
 
not an a body but ive got vintage air gen II compact on my javelin . havent run it yet but went together fairly easy , i used the ez clip kit and fire wall bulk head fitting . vintage air also has the connectors for stock hemi compressor
 
I am running driverside compressor. I used the factory heater hoses location and just made space for the ac lines on the opposite side. I used the bulkhead connectors and just put them in backwards to gain more clearance. Here are a few pictures. I am using the vintage air gen2 compact version in my build.

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Wow, everyone has nice clean cars, lol. Slick looking setup. I kinda wish I would have gone with the car front cover that I originally had, but I really didn't feel like messing with the frame rail for the alternator clearance. The high mount A/C compressor setup isn't ideal and I'm not even sure my ModMan intake will work with it, so this could get interesting. I know as things sit now I'll have to modify my fuel rails to work. I have a crossover line that runs between the front side of each rails (I used blank rail sections and drilled them myself) and the compressor will run right into the front of them. I may go to a dead head style fuel system though and just cap the fronts. Might give me just enough room.
 
My Cuda had factory AC, so I went a different route than using a Vintage Air unit. I kept the factory AC heater box and used a Sanden compressor on a March Performance accessory drive. I did open up the rad support from 22" to 26" for a larger rad and AC condenser.
Nothing wrong with the Vintage air units, however you do give up the passenger fresh air vent.

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Very nice. I had debated trying to find a factory A/C box to replace mine, but wasn't sure if that was going to be worth the effort over getting a brand new system. Sounds like there was more different between them and the non A/C ones than I originally thought as well, so may be more trouble than it's worth. The fresh air vents have been one of the things that have been holding me back as well as I really like them, but every time I open my passenger side one I get a fine mist of dirt and petrified leaf bits in my eyes, so it stays closed most of the time anyway. I'm not sure how there is still stuff in there as I had it open plenty in the past, keep the car covered when parked, and have even hosed out the cowl. The only thing left to do would be pull the whole heater box to clean it out. I think I can potentially keep the driver side vent with some clever air hose routing, but will have to see.
 
I'm using a Southern Rods Maxi Kooler II. I just bought the heat and air unit from them. I'm using the drivers side Hemi compressor and a Bouchlon install kit for all the lines, dryer, condenser and fittings.
Car blows 30 degree air and will absolutely freeze you out! I'm very impressed!!
 
SteveAle said:
I am running driverside compressor. I used the factory heater hoses location and just made space for the ac lines on the opposite side. I used the bulkhead connectors and just put them in backwards to gain more clearance. Here are a few pictures. I am using the vintage air gen2 compact version in my build.

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Did you mount your heater control valve under the dash?
 
I just installed classic auto air in my 67 Barracuda. If you have a heat only car they are the way to go in my opinion. I got the kit minus compressor and had them send the hoses and fittings separately and crimped myself. I used the stock Hemi compressor. If you have a factory AC car you may want to go with vintage air and use their controls. You will have a larger hole in fire wall to clean up.
 
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I put factory air salvaged from another car in my heat only 69 cuda. It was a lot of work. I would imagine the aftermarket would be a lot easier.
 
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