Restomod Air

[NorwayCharger]

Looks "cool"

http://www.restomodair.com/

[dontlifttoshift]

It's a division of Classic Auto Air. Some of their billet parts are interesting.

[ILLMATIC]

very nice

[newmexicosaint]

stuff looks nice! wonder how it performs. I am curious about their "DEATH VALLY CHALLENGE"

[lsx80monte]

It's a division of Classic Auto Air. Some of their billet parts are interesting.

I use to work for them

[newmexicosaint]

I use to work for them

What can you tell us about the company?

[lsx80monte]

What can you tell us about the company?

I worked for Classic Auto Air in Tampa. When I worked there, the texas division was just getting started where all they do is the aftermarket stuff. Tampa was doing original rebuilding/custom work as well as selling and customer service for both original and aftermarket. The systems were at that time, good stuff. Spal blower motors, sep heater core/evap, and completely serviceable units were basically the highlights. I can tell you that the price has gone up. I think the systems were right around 1100 6 yrs ago. Im sure the other a/c companies have raised their prices also. They were always talking about how vintage air had the hotrod market cornered but they were pushing for the muscle car market. Well from the looks of it, vintage air has that market covered also. I can also recall getting some customers that had previously bought vintage air systems and were not happy with it so they would buy ours. Maybe things have changed since then. For me it was a great learning experience as I have gone onto restoring classic a/c parts to sell online and I have built and installed my own dual a/c system ( front and trunk units) in my monte carlo.

[lsx80monte]

Ive met the guy in charge of the texas division. He's a nice guy.Told me to give him a call if I needed a job. I think I might just do that when I get back to Texas in a month.

[newmexicosaint]

Thanks brother. I appreciate the inside info on the company!!

[lsx80monte]

No problem, anytime

[Restomod Air]

Hello guys, This is Mike from Restomod Air, I wanted to drop a line to introduce myself and thank you guys for the review. If you have any questions feel free to ask me.

lax80monte, it's funny you said you may give me a call about a job, were currently hiring, give me a shout.

[ls173camaro]

Will it work with the stock LS1 compressor? Thanks Bill

[Restomod Air]

Bill, to answer your question easily (if thats possible) Yes our system will work with a stock LS1 compressor. We prefer that you don't use the stock compressor because it is a variable displacement compressor. Im sure you are aware of this because you are asking the question. With a variable displacement compressor it does just that, varies the displacement of refrigerant it pumps. The Variable Capacity Piston Compressor (SDV) was developed to meet the current and future needs of OE car manufacturers. The compressor displacement is varied by changing the angle of the cam, which in turn controls the refrigeration capacity to meet air-conditioning demands at all operating conditions, basically a gas mileage benefit. Once cabin temperature approaches desired temperature, the Compressor can afford to reduce its capacity. This avoids clutch cycling and maintains a constant lower outlet temperature, basically not using a freeze-out thermostat. Not to bore you any longer we can use your compressor, I can elaborate more on using your stock compressor if you wish.


Thanks Mike

[yellow1098Greg]

What is the advantage over vintage? Just curious to hear?

[CarlC]

Thank you for coming in Mike and sharing your knowledge.

Can you please elaborate more on the SDV type compressor, and other compressor types, and their respective advantages/disadvantages for us in the Pro-Touring/Restomod market. The modern compressor is much more than a simple pumping mechanism. Bringing on the tech won't put us to sleep.

Also, any information on the upcoming refrigerant changes/regulations and how they might effect our hobby would be interesting as well.

[Twentyover]

Carl-

You've heard about 1234yf? No matter, it won't affect the aftermarket so much. 134a is supposed to remain in production for the service and aftermarket, as the OEM's shift to 1234yf for CO2 credits. Unlike the R12/R14a change, 134a it's not at this point scheduled for a quick phase out and retrofit with successor refrigerants.

At this point, I understand some of the OEMS are only trying to shift US market (not even NAFTA) production to 1234yf, as it's currently SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive than R134a

[CamaroAJ]

Carl-

You've heard about 1234yf? No matter, it won't affect the aftermarket so much. 134a is supposed to remain in production for the service and aftermarket, as the OEM's shift to 1234yf for CO2 credits. Unlike the R12/R14a change, 134a it's not at this point scheduled for a quick phase out and retrofit with successor refrigerants.

At this point, I understand some of the OEMS are only trying to shift US market (not even NAFTA) production to 1234yf, as it's currently SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive than R134a

According to some of the stuff I've read they are saying it will be illegal to retrofit 134a to 1234YF. Not really sure how they will enforce that but whatever.

[dontlifttoshift]

I was under the impression that 1234 was in service overseas already, as in required to run it. Is there another refrigerant aside from 134 and 1234 that is in use in Europe?

[dontlifttoshift]

Hello guys, This is Mike from Restomod Air, I wanted to drop a line to introduce myself and thank you guys for the review. If you have any questions feel free to ask me.


Is there something wrong with your website? It says your AC units well for $1,700 to $1,800. I am curious as to why your plastic box with a coil in it and a fan stuck on the side is 3 times more money than anyone elses. A complete kit from classicautoair (we will keep this within the company) for a 69 Camaro sells at $1,425, so why the big number on the vapir and haymaker?

[go-fish]

Vintage Air is around $1200 for my application. Damn!

[NorwayCharger]

Is there something wrong with your website? It says your AC units well for $1,700 to $1,800. I am curious as to why your plastic box with a coil in it and a fan stuck on the side is 3 times more money than anyone elses. A complete kit from classicautoair (we will keep this within the company) for a 69 Camaro sells at $1,425, so why the big number on the vapir and haymaker?

If the quality is better than VA, i would pay more for the RA stuff.
A friend of mine bought the VA system for his custom 54 mercury, not impressed by it.
It looks and feels cheap.

[dontlifttoshift]

You can buy a cheap BMW, too. What did your friend buy? Just guessing here, A GEN II compac or super with the universal 4 knob control in a plastic pod? Yeah, not impressive by looks and feel if that is what he has but it is a proven system and will continue to work for the forseeable future all at a cost of about $500.........

So I ask again, what magic is in the RestoMod Air box that makes it worth the kind of money they are asking for it.

[vintageracer]

Just looked at your website.

Awfully dark overall with all that black. The grey font colors for writing and specification information against all that black is hard to read.

Found myself clicking away and not reading your product information. I am sure I an not the only one who would make this observation.

Yes your graphics are "Edgy & Cool" however the reality is you want customers to READ the information on your site about the specific products that a customer is interested purchasing. That's not easy in your website's current form for your older customers.

Let's face facts. Older is your market as the "Old Guys" have "All The Money'"!

Just an observation of your website that you should consider.

[neki67]

^ x2!!

[NorwayCharger]

You can buy a cheap BMW, too. What did your friend buy? Just guessing here, A GEN II compac or super with the universal 4 knob control in a plastic pod? Yeah, not impressive by looks and feel if that is what he has but it is a proven system and will continue to work for the forseeable future all at a cost of about $500.........

So I ask again, what magic is in the RestoMod Air box that makes it worth the kind of money they are asking for it.

That is right, he bought the Gen II compact system !
Why is the reason for blocking of the fresh air inlet on most aftermarket AC system?
I could not find any installation manuals on the Restomod website.
I live in a country that have some cold days in the summertime, and with that comes the need for some good defogging.
And you must agree with me in the fact that it is good with some competition in the AC market ;-)
A lot of nice build cars with the same ugly control nobs for the AC..

[dontlifttoshift]

So change the knobs. We have retrofit the genIV units and used factory controls. The fresh air vents, I think they are just in the way in most cases. No problems with the VinAir Defogger/defroster. I had a daily that I drove year round, snow, rain, sleet, whatever and the windshield was always clear.

Competition is good but right now all I see from RestomodAir is slick advertising, clever marketing, and ridiculous pricing.

[bpatrol]

i just looked at there "haymaker system" the "complete setup with 4 free vents. but is it me or i dont see that it comes with any kind of controller?

[NorwayCharger]

i just looked at there "haymaker system" the "complete setup with 4 free vents. but is it me or i dont see that it comes with any kind of controller?

Hmm, i thought it was complete?
Well i did request a cataloge and info from Restomod air, but they could not send it to Norway!
I got the cataloge from Vintage air, sooo i guess i use my money there ;-)

[neki67]

Well i did request a cataloge and info from Restomod air, but they could not send it to Norway!

You can't trust anyone living outside the USA! Specially people coming from Northern Europe. I'm amazed you didn't know that Arne. ;-)

[NorwayCharger]

:seizure:
Yeah, i should know that....




You can't trust anyone living outside the USA! Specially people coming from Northern Europe. I'm amazed you didn't know that Arne. ;-)

[buck19]

Looking for wiring interface from GM C5 corvette electronic climate control unit to run Vintage Air Gen II servo system. Anybody doing the electrical work to interface with the existing wiring harnesses provided by Vintage, Classic, or Restomod Air? The HVAC manufacturers want you to believe that only their controls will work with with their systems. Should be simple wiring to interface with other electronic controllers. Not that many functions to sort out for a qualified auto wiring tech. The HVAC companies would be ahead of the game if they would offer compatibility wiring plugs with the major auto manufacturers climate control units. They could charge the same amount for the wiring plug interface as they do for their billet dial controls and serve the restomod clientele at a higher level.

[bpatrol]

i had called them, and they pretty much sell system you build. so, even the haymaker does not come with a controller. for their complete setup in a first gen camaro, your looking at 2500 plus.
its vintage air for me. although they have cool vents just not 1000 plus cool::)

[MonzaRacer]

First of all NOTHING and I mean NOTHIN from a R134a system could be used for RY1234. Basic information when a system is using 28-32 psi low side 175-250 high side pressures you sure cant retrofit to system using refrigerant in the THOUSANDS of PSI.
From what I have read normal low sides are in 1000-2000 psi range on newest stuff. and they setups seem to require so much more control over operation.
R134a runs ok when properly controlled and you have proper condenser/fan setup. Heck you could use any of the current refrigerants in a car, but R12 and R134a are only allowed for in regular cars, yes some truck use 22 and 401 but honestly why reinvent the wheel. Only reason 12 got axed was Du Pont lost patent rights to it. R134a got tap and they make more cash on it.
RY1234 is CO2, and yet our breath is global warming component. HMMMMM