1978 Trans Am Vintage Air A/C System Review

[@MrWill73]

Great fitment! I love how the controls are in the stock location and look very close to the original ones👍👍👍

[@classicreaction5340]

Yes....and the fan motor in these things feel like they are turbocharged compared to the factory ones, so they do the job much faster too.

[@MrWill73]

@@classicreaction5340 Good to know. Thanks for the info. BTW, The Trans Ams I have seen you build on your channel are truly stunning! Beautiful work and quality is top notch!👍👍👍👍👌👌👌

[@classicreaction5340]

@@MrWill73 thank you sir! 😁

[@paceta80]

Gorgeous Trans Am.

[@PrimeG2]

Just clean as a whistle, how cold does it get?

[@classicreaction5340]

@@PrimeG2 I never actually used a thermometer but Vintage Air blows ice cold and they blow quite a bit harder than the factory fan does. I just put another system in the latest Trans Am I just built.

[@PrimeG2]

@@classicreaction5340 Nice, I replaced my entire orginal a/c in my 1984 caprice and it gets down to about 42 degrees F. I have always wondered, would the vintage air kits blow harder with their systems. Very well done!

[@classicreaction5340]

@@PrimeG2 thanks!

[@ronswett6234]

What did you use to make the 90 degree turn from off the back of the head to the water shut off valve?

[@classicreaction5340]

Thanks! I used a metal 90 degree nipple out of the back of the cylinder head. I think I bought it from Ames Performance.

[@ronswett6234]

@@classicreaction5340 Thanks!

[@ronswett6234]

Great looking car by the way 🙂

[@CaptR.B.]

Going to be tackling this project soon, going with the same setup except for mid vents in the panel. Thanks for the review.

[@classicreaction5340]

You're welcome....and thanks for watching. It's a really nice system and it truly transforms the car. It's a little work but you will love the end result.

[@corneleousworthington4566]

Holy crap is that a good looking Trans Am!

[@iannye6177]

Man those doors close super nice, jealous of both the vintage air and the sound of the doors closing!

[@classicreaction5340]

These cars are completely disassembled and rebuilt with attention paid to literally every single nut and bolt, so all of the door hinges and door latches are meticulously cleaned and lubricated, and all moving body panels are adjusted until they click open and shut as perfectly as possible. It's definitely a challenge! 😉

[@anthonyvaccaro8819]

Is that heater control valve mounted on a bracket? In front of the firewall? Trying to figure out the best place for mine

[@classicreaction5340]

Yes I mounted the valve on top of the original heater box, but it can be mounted anywhere under the hood. There's not much room under the dash to put it, and I wanted it to be in a place where it could be easily accessed for service.

[@anthonyvaccaro8819]

Do you know if the vintage air compressor bracket will work with tall valve covers? Pontiac motor

[@classicreaction5340]

I'm pretty sure it would work with tall valve covers. The bracket system only bolts to the front of the head, so there's no interference there.....and the compressor can rotate out farther depending on how long of a belt that you use.

[@HotRodDave]

Nice looking Car! I am about to do the same kit on a 77 factory air TA. Customer wants to get rid of the evap box on the firewall and the Heater core needs replaced any way. We are also doing a LS3 swap at the same time.

[@classicreaction5340]

Thanks. This is the perfect kit to use to get rid of all the original AC clutter under the hood. Everything is self-contained under the dash. The LS3 should be fun. 😉

[@jeffleary1598]

Where did you buy that gold dash I want one for my car One I got is old

[@classicreaction5340]

I do my own gold dash bezels. I'm able to dye the silver ones and turn them into gold ones. If yours is straight and isn't scratched up, I could turn it gold for you.

[@ColoPonchoMan]

I'm restoring a base model 69 GTO, numbers matching but getting a color change, has an aftermarket quarter and I've replaced the interior upholstery with Legendary. Though almost all the rest of the car is original, it isn't very rare or all that valuable. The car is going back together very soon, and I'm wondering if it's best to (1) replace the original compressor and keep/restore the original A/C parts if possible, (2) switch to a Sanden compressor and keep/restore the original parts, or (3) completely replace the system with a Vintage air or similar system. Do you have any thoughts on this? Budget is an important issue at the moment.

[@classicreaction5340]

That's a great question. In my opinion, what it comes down to is how well do you want it to work? Depending on the current condition of everything, restoring the factory components may cost more than buying the Vintage Air system.....and when you are done, it will not work as efficiently or as powerfully as the Vintage Air system does. The old factory AC systems just aren't very well engineered, and definitely do not work as well without the outlawed R12 refrigerant that they were designed for. So really, the only time I would keep an original AC system would be on a concours-style, factory correct restoration on a high dollar car.

[@goodbonezz1289]

This system is always set on ‘re-circulate’ so on rainy days etc..you’re going to get fogged up. No bueno.

[@herndonsphotography1443]

Wanting a system for my 78 bird. Does this have options for the laps vents

[@classicreaction5340]

The Vintage Air systems are engineered to work with cars that originally came with AC , or without AC........so yes it will work with the original lap vents. Plus, the Vintage Air system is WAY more powerful than the old systems were, so it'll blow air much faster.

[@herndonsphotography1443]

@@classicreaction5340 sweet that's all I needed to know. Thank you

[@classicreaction5340]

@@herndonsphotography1443 sure thing.....sorry I didn't see your question until today. I never got the notification for some reason.

[@georgebrown2921]

did you have to remove the dash

[@classicreaction5340]

Yes, the dash definitely needs removed for this installation. Between mounting the box to the firewall and running the hoses through the kick panel, removing the dash is only way to do it.

[@marcathens2951]

Beautiful car.... im so jealous of the buyer. Hope he takes good care of this great classic 🙏

[@johntempest267]

Engine color is wrong. After 1966 they went with a silverish/blue. A/C fan is loud, sounds like a hair dryer.

[@classicreaction5340]

Starting in 1977, all Pontiac engines were painted in GM Corporate Blue. The engine is the correct color.

[@johntempest267]

@@classicreaction5340 I stand corrected. Thanks for taking the time to set me straight.

[@classicreaction5340]

@@johntempest267 the engine colors changed so many times over the years for Pontiac, it's almost an entire subject unto itself. I don't know how many times I have had to argue with people about 1976 Pontiac engines being a one-year-only color, which is a dark blue metallic. It gets a little complicated. 😅 Here is a site with a good explanation of the colors used over the years: www.pontiacpower.org/enginecolor.htm

[@fasterdrive221]

HI, can you do a pro touring/restomod style car? Also do you do any fords? could i get your email to discuss further a possible build?

[@classicreaction5340]

Hi Simon. My email is [e-mail]