I used to think that A/C in a classic car was for wimps.

[69rtse4spd]

K. D. how do the SRT seats look & work, can you post some Pict's. thanks.

[VegasCharger]

as if I had the radio tuned to some death thrash metal music.

SLAYER!!  

[One mopar]

+ one on the srt seats 💺. O and On compressor choices the rv piston one is the best reason being it a self oiling system and has a higher output of 12.5 ish at 2000 rpm vs 9.5 sandin if I remember right lots of people have done testing I'm citing  Harrison a/c aka gmc technical papers rv can use more than one type of refrigerant I'm planning using co2 with mineral oil, like the 2018 dodge demon and in emergency I can use as fire suppression or cool my radiator and stop it from warping my engine / intercooler mist bar

[ACUDANUT]

 If you have several Muscle Cars, A/C could be a serious money issue.  i.e. how often you drive it ect.

[Kern Dog]

Here are the seats:

[Kern Dog]

In the car:

[Kern Dog]

They are comfortable and really hold me in place.

[ACUDANUT]

I agree, Factory seats suck and I for one hate them.

[Kern Dog]

For their time, the original 1970 seats may have been pretty good. Think about the tire and suspension science of the day: The cars didn't handle like todays cars so they didn't need seats with the side supports like sporty cars have.

[69rtse4spd]

Thanks for the Pict's, look good. Did you use the SRT brackets also or custom made set. 

[Kern Dog]

Thank you,
I made my own mounts  using 2X3 .90 wall rectangular material. Each of the 4 mounts are unique! I worked to make sure that the seats are level and even to each other. The Floor pan is stock and pristine, yet I still had 4 different heights for the mounts. Maybe the left and right seats have slightly different frames

[RCCDrew]

I live in Corpus Christi so I know about it being hot. My Cuda has AC and it was one of the best mods I did. If you hate the underhood clutter you might consider an electric AC compressor.

https://www.seanhylandmotorsport.com/SHM-electric-air-conditioning-compressor-3753

[Mike DC]

https://www.seanhylandmotorsport.com/SHM-electric-air-conditioning-compressor-3753

IIRC those things draw too much amperage.  It would move the AC compressor off the motor but it would demand a 2nd alternator instead.

Electric compressors are mainly showing lately because electric cars need them.  Those cars also have big batteries & higher voltage electrical systems to improve the efficiency of the whole mess.  

[RCCDrew]

https://www.seanhylandmotorsport.com/SHM-electric-air-conditioning-compressor-3753

IIRC those things draw too much amperage.  It would move the AC compressor off the motor but it would demand a 2nd alternator instead.

Electric compressors are mainly showing lately because electric cars need them.  Those cars also have big batteries & higher voltage electrical systems to improve the efficiency of the whole mess.  

A bigger alternator would be an easy mod and not draw a lot of horsepower. Electric compressors for refrigeration have been around for decades. If electric fans rob less horsepower it only makes sense that electric AC compressors would as well.

[69rtse4spd]

Thank you,
I made my own mounts  using 2X3 .90 wall rectangular material. Each of the 4 mounts are unique! I worked to make sure that the seats are level and even to each other. The Floor pan is stock and pristine, yet I still had 4 different heights for the mounts. Maybe the left and right seats have slightly different frames

Thanks so much.

[Mike DC]

A bigger alternator would be an easy mod and not draw a lot of horsepower. Electric compressors for refrigeration have been around for decades. If electric fans rob less horsepower it only makes sense that electric AC compressors would as well.

I read into the idea of an electric AC compressor a few years ago.  It turned out the compressor alone was liable to demand something like 100-200 amps on a 12v system.  I don't recall the exact figure but it was huge. 

Electric compressors are more feasible in buildings because they aren't running 12v DC power.   Power can always be converted to other voltages but of course there are efficiency losses every time.  Engine power, converted to electricity, transferred to the compressor, and converted back to spinning power .  . . that's several stages of efficiency loss. 


Also, I'm thinking if the OEMs could save 0.25 mpg with an electric AC compressor then they would have probably quit running belt-driven ones years ago.  They are pretty far into diminishing returns on that stuff already.  The AC compressor is a very big power draw no matter how it's being spun. 

The OEMs may have waited longer for electric power steering because there is zero room for failure on something like that.  Older generations may have had more tolerance for problems there but not anymore.  21st century drivers would all get into wrecks & call lawyers if their power steering suddenly quit.   

As for the electric radiator fan, my guess is that it helps save MPG because it can be entirely off so much of the time.  I mean, it can draw enough power to dim the headlights when it kicks on. 
   

[Kern Dog]

I live in California, yet so many companies are Midwest or back East. By the time I am off work, they are closed. I have to figure a time to call them for info.
I see that the "Classic Auto Air" uses a system that can either retain the stock controls (Modified to then control the non stock HVAC unit) or use a factory appearing new control panel. Obviously I'd want something that looks similar to original for the sake of appearance.

[charger_fan_4ever]

Have to say i thought the same. Ac taking up space robbing hp toss it.Its only a nice day driver no need ect. That being said i foresee adding AC to my 70 down the road. Here if its not raining its a humid 30C+ day.

i had a foxbody mustang i sold this year. The past 2 years id put maybe 100 miles on it. Each day i could drive it was always too hot took the car with ac. Considering all my dailys and pick up must be Ac. The charger will end up with it too.

[Mike DC]

           
AC is one of those things like automatic trannys.  It's gotten more popular as our road/highway system has gotten more jammed and the roads have gotten all suburbanized.  The heat is more frustrating when the trips are longer & the driving is boring. 

[LaOtto70Charger]

Does "Classic Auto Air" use the original ducts?  From their website it looked like Vintage Air used their own duct system mounted under the dash.  Is that their only option?

My car has A/C but doesn't blow hot air.  Need to dig into why but it I have to convert to new refrigerants or replace stuff I was looking into what the options are too.

[BrianShaughnessy]

Does "Classic Auto Air" use the original ducts?  From their website it looked like Vintage Air used their own duct system mounted under the dash.  Is that their only option?

My car has A/C but doesn't blow hot air.  Need to dig into why but it I have to convert to new refrigerants or replace stuff I was looking into what the options are too.

I bought a firewall forward kit that uses my existing in cab ducts.     All my original parts in the engine compartment were trashed back in the 70s.
New compressor,  condensor, lines, etc.

[M5Ivan]

LaOtto, are you asking about the vents or the duct hose? CAA uses all of your original vents except the center dash and they supply all new duct hoses. They have a replacement vent for the center dash that fits the their duct hose adapter. I know at least one person here modified the adapter to fit their original center vent.

[LaOtto70Charger]

Sorry the vents.  My system is all still there so I wouldn't want to add a vent section under the dash.  Changing the duct that goes to the vent as is in the dash no big deal. 

Changing to the electrical part of switching sounds like a good thing.  When I change to defrost I have to reach under and push the bar up farther all the time.

[alfaitalia]

As far as people saying that ac robs horse power...well of course it does....but unless you are counting the hundreths  at the track I doubt you will notice it...unless you have a really rubbish compressor. Back in the day when it was optional on the cars I was selling we used to get two sets of fuel consumption figures and performance figures..one with ac and one without. The bigger the engine (or to be accurate the higher the torque) the less difference it made...so on a BB with a good compressor I bet it would be hard to measure. On a modern car driving at 45 mph plus you will drop the mph more by driving with two or more windows down that with the ac on.

[Mytur Binsdirti]

I just have to add some R12 & I'll be all set to go.