Classic Auto Air Install Experience

I think somebody on this forum wrote up extensive information on modifications needed and potential edits to the instructions and offered it to Classic, if I remember correctly, they showed zero interest.
One day I may jump in and attempt an install, but for now I am more interested in getting my car to a reliably usable state. Once I have the bugs worked out and know I can trust the car to take a road trip or two, THEN I might pull the plug.
Yeah, I went digging through threads as well before I took the plunge. I knew I was likely going to have to do some work and I knew I was going to modify some stuff to suit my engine and build anyway since they don't even list the modern 5.7 in their options, but I didn't realize that so much of the kit wasn't going to even fit stock to start with. The box not bolting to the firewall is still the most egregious error to me, and not something that any amount of change to instructions would help. They could better clarify that it's supposed to bolt to the same holes the old box came out of, but that doesn't make the parts magically actually fit those holes. The condenser brackets are also still just a mystery to me. There is pretty much no possible way I could have used what they supplied in the kit as they weren't wide enough to even span the opening the core support, assuming I didn't modify the hardlines. If I wanted to rebend the lines I could have shuffled the condenser over slightly and drilled some new holes in the core support, but it really makes me wonder what their prototype car looked like that they based the kit on.

I know my car is a bastard child that's filled with all manner of parts that don't properly fit it, but the base body structure should still be 67, which is what the parts are supposed to bolt to. Oh well though, at least the worst of it is over (hopefully). Just need to hook up my hoses and drain/fill the system. The sad thing is I don't think there's really much for better options out there. I know Vintage Air makes a generic system, but the plumbing on that could be tough as you'd either need bulkhead connectors or you'd have to pass hoses through the firewall, and I really preferred the idea of the connections all being in the engine bay for easier access. The underdash units are the same way, but I'd have to keep my heater with one of those, and space is already at a premium for me. I'd probably still buy a CAA system if I were to do it all over again purely for the way they run their lines, but I might try harder to modify the system to work than to modify my car to match the system. I'm not sure I think it's worth what they are asking for it price-wise with the way it's currently designed though.