Vintage Air AC controls Gen IV

[csouth]

I have a friend that is considering a late model Camaro dash swap and he has Vintage Air. Does anyone know if the factory AC controls could be wired to control the VA or do they only only function with the Body Control module? I know VA has the schematic in their instructions, but it appears the Camaro radio and HVAC controls are on a single connector.

[Snowcatter]

I recommend tossing the vintage air and use the late model HVAC unit with the late model dash...

[dhutton]

I have a friend that is considering a late model Camaro dash swap and he has Vintage Air. Does anyone know if the factory AC controls could be wired to control the VA or do they only only function with the Body Control module? I know VA has the schematic in their instructions, but it appears the Camaro radio and HVAC controls are on a single connector.
Won’t work. Not even close imho....

Don

[csouth]

I recommend tossing the vintage air and use the late model HVAC unit with the late model dash...

Can I ask why you would just toss the VA?


Won’t work. Not even close imho....

Don

Its not a deal breaker. We can have a dash plate made out of fiberglass and change the radio. Just curious if it would work.

[Snowcatter]

Toss is a harsh word...I mean sell it or return it etc.. I discovered when installing the 5th gen dash that the HVAC unit fit in there as well. It has more features than the vintage air and already seamlessly functions with the dash controls. My build thread on here has pictures of how I did it. I was able to include the cabin air filter as well ;)

[csouth]

Toss is a harsh word...I mean sell it or return it etc.. I discovered when installing the 5th gen dash that the HVAC unit fit in there as well. It has more features than the vintage air and already seamlessly functions with the dash controls. My build thread on here has pictures of how I did it. I was able to include the cabin air filter as well ;)

I didn't take you literally...lol
I checked your thread, see you got it in there. I don't think he will want to go that far, but now asking for myself: I see you have the gauges and everything so I'm guessing you used the BCM and everything? If I ever wanted to go that route it would be a deterrent since I'm suing Holley.

[Snowcatter]

On my build I am integrating everything from the 5th gen donor except the curtain airbags, evap and mag ride control.

[csouth]

On my build I am integrating everything from the 5th gen donor except the curtain airbags, evap and mag ride control.

Got it... Nice project!

Yeah, it would be easier to do a dbl din radio conversion and make a new bezel to use a different controller for the VA.

[Snowcatter]

I'm sure that would also work. The BCM is all you would need to make the 5th gen ac work. You wouldn't need all the other components like mine is using. Good luck with your project and keep us posted!

[csouth]

I'm sure that would also work. The BCM is all you would need to make the 5th gen ac work. You wouldn't need all the other components like mine is using. Good luck with your project and keep us posted!

Funny thing is i was asking for him, but it sounds interesting. I know he will only be willing to take it so far. If the Body control module can work in stand alone it sounds very intriguing for me.

[Snowcatter]

Actually, now that I'm thinking about it further, the HVAC uses it's own control module and will probably work standalone without the BCM but I believe the rear defrost, A/C compressor control communicate with the BCM. If it were me I would use the BCM and the ECM since you are using the dash and column can retain the VATS security as well. If you get the dash harness and the engine bay harness you can make it all work seamlessly. Anything not being utilized can be programmed out of the ECM

[slimjim]

I'm somewhere lost in the middle. I incorporated the full dash but mostly just for cosmetics, running a PSI engine harness and all other electronics will operate alone. Speedhut gauges, alpine apple CarPlay double din headhunt controlling restored air via their 'APP' etc. I was literally working on modifying the center dash faceplate this evening to allow for a double din display and I might even install 2 gauges below it. If your friend went with vintage air controls he could easily incorporate them.

If he doesn't have it already, I think I have a tub with all of the under dash harness and maybe even the original engine harness taking up space on a shelf somewhere

[slimjim]

Just dug up double din project 1.1 from Imgur. I ended up disliking this one and tore it apart, currently working on 1.2
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/09/BFck2nf-1.jpg

[csouth]

I'm somewhere lost in the middle. I incorporated the full dash but mostly just for cosmetics, running a PSI engine harness and all other electronics will operate alone. Speedhut gauges, alpine apple CarPlay double din headhunt controlling restored air via their 'APP' etc. I was literally working on modifying the center dash faceplate this evening to allow for a double din display and I might even install 2 gauges below it. If your friend went with vintage air controls he could easily incorporate them.

If he doesn't have it already, I think I have a tub with all of the under dash harness and maybe even the original engine harness taking up space on a shelf somewhere

Its funny because I was asking for him and he has become less interested and I have become more interested...lol I already have a Camaro console installed in my car and like you my conversion would be purely cosmetic... I have VA in my car also, so i would need to figure out how to incorporate those in some sort of unit. It would require changing the control panel, but that's not major. I think the biggest part would be making something to hold a radio and ac controller. Too bad they don't have a touchscreen app like restored air does. If I could make something to hold this controller and a double din, it might be a project for next fall...

What head unit are you installing?

Maybe use this Dakota Digital controller for VA171556

[csouth]

Just dug up double din project 1.1 from Imgur. I ended up disliking this one and tore it apart, currently working on 1.2
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/09/BFck2nf-1.jpg

Nice job on the bezel....

[slimjim]

Its funny because I was asking for him and he has become less interested and I have become more interested...lol I already have a Camaro console installed in my car and like you my conversion would be purely cosmetic... I have VA in my car also, so i would need to figure out how to incorporate those in some sort of unit. It would require changing the control panel, but that's not major. I think the biggest part would be making something to hold a radio and ac controller. Too bad they don't have a touchscreen app like restored air does. If I could make something to hold this controller and a double din, it might be a project for next fall...

What head unit are you installing?

Maybe use this Dakota Digital controller for VA

That should be easy enough to mould in somewhere, perhaps into the centre console where the traction control button is. Fitting the dash is a much harder task than grafting the controls however. It required (for me) installing the entire 5th gen trans tunnel, and I still haven't figured out 100% how I will do the door panels and whether I'll use the 5th gen steering column or use ididit etc. I've also gone away from the stock center console gauges and am currently working on locations for other 2" gauges.

I'm looking to use the alpine ILX-W650 headunit with the rear mounted amplifier so I won't have to run a trunk mounted amp also.

[csouth]

That should be easy enough to mould in somewhere, perhaps into the centre console where the traction control button is. Fitting the dash is a much harder task than grafting the controls however. It required (for me) installing the entire 5th gen trans tunnel, and I still haven't figured out 100% how I will do the door panels and whether I'll use the 5th gen steering column or use ididit etc. I've also gone away from the stock center console gauges and am currently working on locations for other 2" gauges.

I'm looking to use the alpine ILX-W650 headunit with the rear mounted amplifier so I won't have to run a trunk mounted amp also.

I just used a bracket on mine to support the front half, but using the tunnel is a nice way to go. You should be very please when you're done. ...

The place he was going to get his dash from is local, they may sell the entire dash support bar? It would be easier then making brakets.

[slimjim]

Yeah try get it all if possible, it makes for a nice mounting point for electronics etc. and should mount to the same points you made for the console if you're lucky.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/04/HUdA1kH-1.jpg

[csouth]

Yeah try get it all if possible, it makes for a nice mounting point for electronics etc. and should mount to the same points you made for the console if you're lucky.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/04/HUdA1kH-1.jpg


I just found one... I guess i need to learn how to fiberglass for the radio/ac controls...lol

[slimjim]

I just found one... I guess i need to learn how to fiberglass for the radio/ac controls...lol

you can do it fairly easily. you'll need a Dremel, fiberglass repair kit, Bondo(or better), sandpaper, sandable primer(or better), all of which can be picked up from Home Depot. I should have an update soon enough on my new double din display. I'm taking my time on it because I do not want to do it again.

Like I previously said, the traction control buttons are useless on the center console, I got rid of mine to make room for window switches. would be a convenient location for your controls.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/02/vyEhYccl-1.jpg

[csouth]

Since I still would need to make a bezel, I'd like to do it up by the radio.... found this one done by shop Stitched by Slick

171599

[csouth]

you can do it fairly easily. you'll need a Dremel, fiberglass repair kit, Bondo(or better), sandpaper, sandable primer(or better), all of which can be picked up from Home Depot. I should have an update soon enough on my new double din display. I'm taking my time on it because I do not want to do it again.

Like I previously said, the traction control buttons are useless on the center console, I got rid of mine to make room for window switches. would be a convenient location for your controls.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/02/vyEhYccl-1.jpg


Are you using the factory headlight switch? If so, how did you wire it? I was looking at trying to find the plug.

[slimjim]

Are you using the factory headlight switch? If so, how did you wire it? I was looking at trying to find the plug.

I am hoping to yes, it has been done before, but I haven't even remotely looked into that yet

[csouth]

I am hoping to yes, it has been done before, but I haven't even remotely looked into that yet

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