Vintage Air vs Classic Auto Air

[Bmf5150]

I read some where that restomod air is uses the classic auto air assembly???not sure if it is true or not

[dontlifttoshift]

Its the same company so that wouldn't surprise me.

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

Just an update. I went with the Classic Auto Air system. I haven't' gotten it charged yet so can't comment on the cooling (although the heat will smoke me out of the car) but I can comment on the overall quality and installation.

First, a disclaimer: this may have been different if I would have ordered it directly from CAA instead of through a vendor.

If you are looking at this for a 1st gen Camaro, don't do what I did and tell them what your car was from the factory and what you are doing to it and expect them to send you what will work best for you. Why? Because if I would have known more about this system before I got it I would have changed some things.

For instance, I got the system for a small block Camaro without AC because that's what I have right? So, my heater core inlet and outlet were still right next to the head. To be honest, I'm not sure why that's even an option. If you are putting this in your car it's not going to look stock anyway so why in the heck do they even make one with the inlets/outlets in the small block location? They should just have the big block location or something like Vintage air where you put them in.

So, #1, don't buy the small block version, I can't see a point to it besides being more cramped, especially with the slightly wider LS block.

Next, the instructions suck. Everything doesn't seem to be in the right order (IMHO) and the pictures and explanations leave a lot to be desired. I found myself rereading the same paragraph several times in order to try to make sense out of it and still had trouble until I ignored the instructions in favor of the trial and error method.

The center louver's appearance leaves a bit to be desired At least mine did. The coarse part of the louver's texture is about right but it's way too shiny. Almost like the mold needs to be media blasted to dull it out. Mine also had some misalignment of the vents but CAA took care of that and is sending me new one.

Other than that (and actual cooling power which I haven't been able to test yet) the CAA unit is of fine quality and I really like the controller. I also like how the ECM works and where it can mount due to having long enough wires to find a good location for it. The ducts they give you are also plenty long enough to route it how you'd like and I had to trim pretty much all of mine. The hoses that come with it are complete where CAA knows the length (firewall to condenser for instance) and left long and only fitted with one end where you decide routing. Just trim it where you want it and bring it to the local autoparts store to have the end crimped on.

Bottom line:
So far, I'd say that I would order a CAA kit again with one caveat. I'd order it for a big block car or see if they have an option to place the "through firewall" hoses in a user defined location.

I'd also like to install a VA system and see the differences as there are a lot of features I like about them as well.

The reason I decided to go with the CAA kit initially is because I've read in quite a few places that it cools better. We'll see how it works when it's charged (and my radiator fans work through my PCM).

[Bmf5150]

Thanks for the advice

[Hotrod1]

What about restomod air?

[Carbo]

Originally Posted by Hotrod1

What about restomod air?

I'm wondering about this myself. I did see the Death Valley experiment but for $1k more, not sure if it's worth the money. Not many reviews on this product either and I'm hoping somebody has done or will do a comparison between RM, VA and CAA.

[fishface]

Originally Posted by Carbo

I'm wondering about this myself. I did see the Death Valley experiment but for $1k more, not sure if it's worth the money. Not many reviews on this product either and I'm hoping somebody has done or will do a comparison between RM, VA and CAA.

I would like to see that as well. I did go to Restomod Air site and says $975 for their best system, although controls etc may add up to considerably more. They also have a nice looking dfive setup.

[gnx7]

It seems like there should be more responses to this thread.

I'm looking at a/c systems and need to make a decision in the next month and get it out to my fabricator.

The Restomod one does look better.... but $2K for an a/c system is kind of a lot. http://www.restomodair.com/shopprodu...l-factory-air/

Anyone else have RM, CAA, or VA systems in their cars.... feedback please?

Mine is a turbo LS motor. My fabricator can make up the lines from the compressor/condenser and heater hoses.... I already have the Holley setup compressor/mount... I really just need the under dash items/blower/controller.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by gnx7

It seems like there should be more responses to this thread.

I'm looking at a/c systems and need to make a decision in the next month and get it out to my fabricator.

The Restomod one does look better.... but $2K for an a/c system is kind of a lot. http://www.restomodair.com/shopprodu...l-factory-air/

Anyone else have RM, CAA, or VA systems in their cars.... feedback please?

Mine is a turbo LS motor. My fabricator can make up the lines from the compressor/condenser and heater hoses.... I already have the Holley setup compressor/mount... I really just need the under dash items/blower/controller.

I run VA on everything.
all the under dash stuff here.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/vt...model/chevelle


buy a compressor and condensor kit. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/vt...model/chevelle

[workng247]

Brent,

The CAA heater core inlet/outlet location might be a deal breaker.

Hard to believe that VA Gen IV seperate evap/heater core wouldn't be up to snuff. I'm gonna go VA Gen IV sure fit evap and condensor with Frontrunner and some custom EZ clip lines on the compressor.