My 78 SC Camaro didn't come with AC and I live in California. I eventualy need to get a new dash and I was going get the AC capable dash so all I got to do is plumb the center vents and get the kit for the engine comaprtment.

Am I on the right track. Are those center vents neccesary or do they blow AC to the rear seats? Does the AC blow to all vents or just those center ones?

 

What kit are you talking about? Vintage air? There is alot more to an AC car. If ita a factory set up your after and your car didn't come with AC, your in for some labor.

To start and the biggest deal is the firewall, there is a huge difference here. The heater cores are different too. The kick panels are different too. Not sure there but i think there is a flapper in the cowl that directs the air.

Yes the center vents are for AC, aim them to the back, the front seats get the wonderful and completely reasonable CROTCH vent. Icin down the nads on a summer day is completely ok in my book.

 

My SC is from the factory without AC. Is this vintage air kit something I can look into?

 

For sure, pricey but nice.

 

Don't forget the evaporator coils that mount in front of your radiator too! Changing to AC is a major undertaking, and as Damon mentioned NOT CHEAP.
$750 for the kit:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/VTA-565070/

You'll also need someone to charge the system when you're done. More bucks.

 

Thanks for the tips; I'll try it a summer without AC. I knew it was expensive, I don't mind the labor, as long as there are instructions. I took apart the 88 Silverado that the motor/tranny was from. I caught the evaporator BB427. Had a 74 Camaro in the shop with AC and an x employee had a 74 Le Mans. I see what you (77Nomad) mean by the firewall/heater core, it has its own cage. Didn't know about the flapper or the kick panels. My Brother works for a tow yard/body shop, I'll let him borrow it and he can buy one of the techs lunch and they will sneak some refrigerant into it (BB427).
I wish I kept the pickup I pulled the motor/tranny out of (I took it to Pick and Pull so the boss can get paid for the parts I pulled). I kept most of the parts but I left the other stuff that was hard to get to because I figured I could get it at AutoZone. I have the AC compressor and I had the evaporator but it grew legs.

 

The suit case (the fire wall mount) is specific to camaros. I have some of the stuff needed and my car was AC but I still think I'll get the Vintage Air set up. That set up doesn't have the stuff mounted on the firewall. Take a look at Detroit Speed and Engineering's website, there are two AWESOME second gens there. Dale Earnhardt Jr's is the orange one. The fire walls are so clean on those cars its scarey.

 

I am debating between Classic Auto Air and Vintage Air. There used to be Hot Rod Air but I think they aren't open anymore. I'm buying my in January hopefully.

and this is the full kit:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/VTA-965070/

and this is the one for a Camaro without factory AC:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/VTA-961170/

 

OUCH 1300 samolians.

 

Should I take out my AC? 81 with AC already. I never use it. Or should I just leave it? It's just in the way...