Vintage air and LSx conversion

[70Uglybird]

Kind of a weird question. I have my 73 in a shop getting an AAW update kit installed so it is torn apart. Right now would be a great time to get a vintage air kit installed...but I'm running the 455 pontiac motor right now and through the summer. I have LS3 top end 370 ready to go into this winter. If I do the vintage air now can I use the same compressor and lines or better yet just use the AC compressor I have with my 4th gen fbody accessories and brackets?

Thanks!

Bobby

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

I would definitely consult Vintage Air on this, and they'll also ask a lot of the questions you'll probably get here. If you're going with an aftermarket Sanden style compressor like what comes with the VA kit, if you use an aftermarket accessory mount on the LS swap that uses a Sanden compressor, then your old compressor should work fine. Hoses would depend on WHERE the LS kit puts the compressor. But in theory, yes, it could all work.



As far as the factory late model compressor, I'd consult Vintage Air. I know a lot, if not all newer vehicles have a variable rate or displacement compressor, or something like that, so it's not really the same function as your standard fixed type that's been around forever. I'd imagine there are other controls for that, but VA, or maybe someone else here can chime in.

[pist0lpete]

You will want to stay away from the variable displacement compressors that came on f bodies and Corvettes. I believe I saw a thread where folks had determined that the cts-v compressor is a fixed displacement.

[70Uglybird]

Cool thanks...not sure how easy that will be to mount with the fvody accessories.

[1976CamaroGuy]

If your getting vintage air installed your better off using the sanden compressor that comes with the kit. When I ordered my VA kit, I upgraded to a LS bracket kit that allowed me to use the compressor with my LS engine and Fbody PS and alternator bracket. It cost an extra $150 over the price of the standard kit and ended up being Kwik Performance AC bracket.

Don't try and cobble parts together, do it right the first time and use the compressor VA wants you to use with their kits

[70Uglybird]

Thats what I'm asking. If I buy the firebird kit and install it on the Pontiac motor can I swap the pulley out on the compressor that comes with it and use it on the LSx... Looking at your setup that seems to be the case. I called Vintage air twice and have not heard back.

[70Uglybird]

If your getting vintage air installed your better off using the sanden compressor that comes with the kit. When I ordered my VA kit, I upgraded to a LS bracket kit that allowed me to use the compressor with my LS engine and Fbody PS and alternator bracket. It cost an extra $150 over the price of the standard kit and ended up being Kwik Performance AC bracket.

Don't try and cobble parts together, do it right the first time and use the compressor VA wants you to use with their kits

Your car looks amazing BTW!! Great build!

[1976CamaroGuy]

Thats what I'm asking. If I buy the firebird kit and install it on the Pontiac motor can I swap the pulley out on the compressor that comes with it and use it on the LSx... Looking at your setup that seems to be the case. I called Vintage air twice and have not heard back.

Yeah they will swap out what you need to make the firebird kit "LS Ready"...that included the correct brackets for the LS engine and a compressor with the ribbed pulley for serpentine. I got mine from a re-seller (can't remember who, I found them on eBay) and they did all the legwork for me. VA doesn't advertise this kit, you'll have to ask for it.

[1976CamaroGuy]

Your car looks amazing BTW!! Great build!

Thanks! The look of the motor has changed a little since that pic, but it's pretty much the same. I did swap my brackets to holley, LS6 intake, and coil covers

[gray86hach]

Hoses and brackets. The one from from the compressor to the Evap will be the worst part of the swap. You will have to take the box completely loose under the dash to swap that line.

The holley ac bracket looks oem and will line up with your other f body parts.

Tim