Classic Auto Air (AC) is in! Review...

[FirstGen]

After talking with Vintage, Old Air, and Classic Auto Air I decided to go with the CAA kit for several reasons. They use a case that can be dis-assembled if service is required. They allowed me to use the variable compressor the LS1 motor is equipped with and retain the full warrenty on the CAA unit. They have a very attractive billet head unit for a mere $100 upgrade. Overall the install was a 3-8 hour job excluding my senario where I was integrating and building lines to use MY compressor (LS1).

Because of the tight fit inside the frame rails I had to change the location of the exit on the manifold for the liquid line. I basically TIG welded the old exit hole shut and then tapped and TIG welded the tube exiting perpendicular to the old location.

To make the billet head unit fit I had to cut an aluminum plate to hold the unit in the stock location and it looks great.

My cab was not a factory air cab so I had to cut the hole for the center vent which they supplied a drawing and it went in like butter.

I had origionally ordered the factory reproduction vents (another $99 upgrade) for the side vents but have decided to send them back and go with billet vents. I expect to have those installed next week.

Overall, it is a high quality kit and blows alot of volume from the Spal blower motor and it's VERY COLD. I still haven't measure the vent temps but I would guess they are in the 30-40 degree range. The entire kit is well designed and the only down side is the price tag.

I will take some better picture in the day sometime.

[Hart_Rod]

What was cost? Do the sell the factory control panel? Can you take pictures of the modification you made to the compressor? I'm going to install the same engine/tranny combo in a 69 burb, will I have to make this modification also? Did you use the ECE motormounts?

Thanks,

Rob

[newin72]

I wanna see pics of the rest of the truck! looks like a nice ride.

you got a thread with pics somewhere?

[FirstGen]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rob

What was cost? Do the sell the factory control panel? Can you take pictures of the modification you made to the compressor? I'm going to install the same engine/tranny combo in a 69 burb, will I have to make this modification also? Did you use the ECE motormounts?

Thanks,

Rob

I made my own motor mounts. Cost is $1095 which is standard for all the avilable kits (Vintage, Old Air, CAA). Then add $100 for the upgraded control and $99 for the factory vents. You will get $150 back if you are using your own compressor and brackets. I'll take some more pics later. Unfortunatly, since it is already assembled I'm not sure how much the pics will help you. Just remember to check for clearance when you drop the motor in. Most likly you will have to drop the motor in first then get the compressor in after the motor is on the mounts since it is nestled between the upper and lower frame channels. Then depending on how much you are willing to hack the frame, you will need to reweld the manifold for the liquid hose to re route the line. It will be clear when you actually get to that point in your install.

[FirstGen]

Originally Posted by newin72

I wanna see pics of the rest of the truck! looks like a nice ride.

you got a thread with pics somewhere?

Here are a couple...

[muddpile]

That looks great! After living in the rank heat and humidity we've had here lately, I think I'll likely add air to my truck, and this kit looks like a winner.

[newin72]

very nice! thanks!

(was that the equivilent of yelling "show us your t**s!)

[68LSS1]

Very nice. I like the look of the billet control panel installed in the truck. On the 6.0 is the compressor on the drivers side or passenger? On the F-body it's on the passenger side low and ends up between the frame rails like you stated so it's sounds similar. Thanks for the update and be sure to post a picture when you get the vents installed.

[MOTHERTRUCKERS]

The Classic Auto Air kit is by far the best kit out there for the money, it blows colder air at a lower fan speed than any other kit.

[FirstGen]

Originally Posted by 68LSS1

Very nice. I like the look of the billet control panel installed in the truck. On the 6.0 is the compressor on the drivers side or passenger? On the F-body it's on the passenger side low and ends up between the frame rails like you stated so it's sounds similar. Thanks for the update and be sure to post a picture when you get the vents installed.

Brian,
Yes in fact I remember now that when I had an F-body compressor and bracket it mounts using the same holes but just uses a different offset for the belt. The f-body compressor is also slightly more bulky which surprised me. To answer your question, they do mount in the same place, lower passenger side.

[FirstGen]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rob

What was cost? Do the sell the factory control panel? Can you take pictures of the modification you made to the compressor? I'm going to install the same engine/tranny combo in a 69 burb, will I have to make this modification also? Did you use the ECE motormounts?

Thanks,

Rob

I forgot to add that they do have the kit designed to use the factory heater control to regulate everything. You can by a different harness to use a factory air head unit but it costs extra. Neither head unit is included in the price tag of $1095.

[FirstGen]

Originally Posted by MOTHERTRUCKERS

The Classic Auto Air kit is by far the best kit out there for the money, it blows colder air at a lower fan speed than any other kit.

Ed,
Just wanted to say thanks again for the reccomendation. CAA proved to be every bit as good as you had described.

[FirstGen]

maybe these will help you visualize what I did to re-route the liquid line. If you look at the very bottom picture it is the most clear I think. The line coming straight up - both lines exit the manifold like this from GM, however if you look at the line to the left of it - that is the liquid line and it is exiting out the side of the manifold (you can't actually see the manifold just see where it is coming from).

Not sure if that makes sense???

[FirstGen]

Vents are in. Pics are not very clear but these are very nice looking and made out of billet aluminum.
Sure do help alot with cooling.

[Hart_Rod]

FG,

Looks good! I will probably do that next spring in my suburban. I just bought a 70 suburban in Alvarado, do you think you might have time to take a look at it and snap some pictures of it. An older guy owns it and is not to computer savy. Let me know and I will call him and set it up.

Rob

[Rokcrln]

Nice looking install on the motor and a/c. Did you slide your motor back when you put it in or keep it in the same spot. I installed a 93 vett LT1 in my 71 and slid it back 2" for a little more room between the front of the motor and radiator. I plan on adding a super charger so wanted more room for the added pully. What kind of milage do you get out of your set up? What tranny and gears did you go with? I had a 7r4 built for mine and dropped in 3.43's in the rear. I am hopping for about 20mpg when cruising.

Kevin

[oscareltemblo]

This will be my next mod after the 6.0 conversion.

[gringoloco]

Back from the dead... FirstGen's truck is since wrecked and I believe he has moved on to other projects. Too bad, it was a very clean truck that hauled major a$$.

[byrd]

Yeah, some soccer mom kit the truck really hard in the rear pushing the bed insto the cab. Really had to suck for him.

[Hart_Rod]

That truck was bad to the bone! Here's to hoping in revives it or something similar.

Rob

[gringoloco]

LS1 swap Porsche, from what I've seen...

He bought it as a 'beater' to get around in while the truck is getting fixed. Must be terrible...

[70 shorty]

Man that really sucks, that was one of my favorite trucks on the board.

[72armyswbtruck]

HEY, nice lookin truck and nice job on the ac

[FirstGen]

Yeah guys, it's long gone. It was totaled and insurance wanted too much to buy it back. I'll be building another one soon. Here is the current project:
http://home.comcast.net/~taylortsims/hybrid.html

[red71cheyenne]

Dang, that sucks! After all that work, you couldn't get it back. I'd have to cry Good luck with the Porsche, and keep us updated on it. Jeff.