STEP BY STEP VINTAGE AIR INSTALL ON A 1978 TRANS AM

[@williamprice735]

Love the way that you go into step-by-step detail on your videos. Even a novice can complete a project after watching your videos. Thanks

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

Thanks man! That’s the reason I made the video I watched countless install videos but couldn’t find a very in-depth one! Glad it helped!

[@patrickdonovan6057]

You answered a lot of my questions. Thanks for taking the extra time and doing a step by step video.

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

Glad it helped someone! I tried to find a step by step video before I did mine and coundlt so figured there had to be more people curious like me!

[@Al-lc9ec]

Great Video. Ordering this for my AC car that hasn't worked in the 30 years that I have owned it

[@tonybyrd5129]

Excellent video buddy.

[@clarkjones9132]

Awesome video man! Better than a movie. Just recently purchased a 77 ac car that's missing a bracket and all of the hardware. Got a decision to make soon. Thanks for your video.

[@benwood7113]

tThanks for making the video! We have a 78 that we just bought the vintage air kit for. Haven't done the wiring or the hoses yet - so your video helps a ton... Thanks again!

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

Glad it helped! Definitely one of the best upgrades I’ve done to this car!

[@dennisjoseph629]

I see a helper making himself/herself available. LOL Sometimes you need a de-stresser doing big projects.

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

Haha yes I’m working on insulating and ac in the garage to convince my wife to come help lol

[@joeg3218]

Thanks for the video! I just bought a kit for my 76 T/A and am excited to have it nice and cool in the car!

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

It was definitely worth it for some good ac!!

[@retorgere3718]

@@hodgepodgegarage3911 I want to do the AC as well . Do I have to pull the dash out ?

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

@@retorgere3718 yes unfortunately, you have to to get to the duct work and access to the firewall to make new holes

[@caspar0777]

Man, the work you did is amazing. Need a lot of patience. The heater/AC and blower of my transam doesn't work very well, but I regulate the temperature by opening the windows😁. Great job!

[@markgrillo3139]

I can’t get over how much work that was and you stuck to it I love the system but I don’t think I have the patience for that one

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

It’s definitely worth it, but I’ll say this, I don’t want to do that again lol

[@trentdrake5397]

very good job buddy !!! i am just finishing up a frame off restoration on my 76 trans am . I also bought this product and am almost ready to install it .

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

This is by far the best thing I’ve bought for the car, especially with t tops the stock ac doesn’t keep up!

[@trentdrake5397]

@@hodgepodgegarage3911 have you looked into ceramic tinting ?? I have been researching this and im thinking of doing it to mine . I just want to find someone that has actually had success with it .

[@firemanpenney]

So I am about half way done with my vintage air install on my 1980 t/a..your video is so helpful! So I got the compressor all hooked up and installed. I can't seem to find the black wire coming from the compressor like you do on yours, so I'm not sure where to hook up the binary wire to. Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

[@tj7516]

Great job on the video! I just got a 78 T/A A/C car but missing compressor and all. Debating on fixing original or going vintage air. Sounds like it might be worth replacing everything, especially the original heater core! Thanks again!

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

The vintage air is expensive but we’ll worth it, when I first out the car together I replaced every part of the ac system and it could never keep the car cool enough in the summer! The vintage air kit cools way better!

[@rhubarb99999]

First ... thank you so much for this! I have watched it all the way through several times .. both before deciding on the Vintage Air for my 80 T/A and after as I have been installing it. The Vintage Air folks could update a thing or two in their instructions based on your video. Quick question .. the instructions (as of 4/23) say that the heater control valve should be connected to the feed from the back of the manifold .. not the water pump as you did. Are you having any issues? Did they just change the instructions at some point? Again .. fantastic video ... very helpful!!!

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

Thanks, I searched for a step by step video for a while before doing mine and couldn’t find it, when I installed it I couldn’t find which hose to hook it to, so I guessed and was wrong, I noticed it wasn’t as hot as I expected and ended up switching it and that solved that issue, I noticed their instructions were a little vague when I did it, but will say it was definitely a worth while upgrade! Glad the video helped!!

[@markbing1626]

After the 300th time watching this AWESOME video, and half way through my project on my 79 Formula, i have a question!!! 27:37 that wiring harness goes away. If i follow it through the firewall there’s one Red wire that comes off the Alternator. Not sure if that one goes too. Any Advice?! THANKS!

[@neilkaup9931]

Loved it !! Thank you

[@davidmcdonald8750]

Great video veru helpful I only wish I could fined one with a NO A/C car.

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

Thanks! I would assume that a non ac car would just require removing less stuff and maybe drilling a few holes 🤷‍♂️

[@tr3vorb438]

Nice work compressing all that great work into this 90 min video. Any trouble attaching the belts or did you have to change the main flywheel pulley? What was the Vintage Air kit model number?

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

Thanks! Nope stock belt went right into the stock pully and new compressor! The kit I got was part number 964080, that’s the complete kit for a car with factory ac, it differs of your wasn’t an ac car apparently

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

Just posted the video for the efi install!

[@joshv3511]

Nice work!! Hey how did you find the ignition power wire? I am wiring my vintage air and need help. Thanks!! You made the install a breeze!

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

Glad it helped! for ignition power i tapped straight into my coil wire cuz it has power during cranking, I didn’t at first and was having trouble starting cuz it was tied into an ignition wire that shut down during cranking

[@firemanpenney]

Hello, I am going to do this for my 1980 TA Thanks to your video.. thanks alot for doing it. Can I ask about the pulleys, seems that my belts are using the two belt groves available. How would I add the air conditioner. A longer belt that goes around the whole thing? Or a three groove belt pulley to add that ac unit ... thanks for your help!

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

I’m assuming your car was a non ac car from the factory? My crank pully has 3 grooves on it, if I’m correct you just need an ac car pully

[@firemanpenney]

@@hodgepodgegarage3911 ok thanks.. it did have factory AC but the previous owner took it all out when he changed the engine to a 400ci...

[@firemanpenney]

@@hodgepodgegarage3911 I bought the car about a month ago.... and absolutely love it!! Thanks again

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

@@firemanpenney then I would assume the engine came out of a non ac set up, hold onto it cuz these cars are getting pricey!!

[@chriskrishooper8632]

Good video brother

[@richardhankie653]

nice video man, detailed and well done. I have had numerous 2nd gens and just picked up a 77 4sd car. I think you sold me on the vtg air setup. also, love the high ride, kinda Mad Max/Gaslands looking.

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

Thanks! I will say it is definitely a huge improvement! Haha I usually get more hate for the stance that likes so thanks!

[@richardhankie653]

@@hodgepodgegarage3911 different is kool, too. all the "get off my yard" ppl do not get it. LET'S SEE SOME PROGRESS ON THAT BAD BOY!!

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

@@richardhankie653 got a new video uploading as we speak on some efi!

[@aenglish87]

Based on your experience installing this system, If I am having a local shop add a Vintage Air kit to my 78 TA that had no factory AC how many labor hours would you estimate would be reasonable to assume for install cost?

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

That’s hard to say, I did the install over the span of 3 afternoons but I was filming and had never done one before, if you don’t have ac there’s less to remove so that helps I’d assume a shop that knows what they’re doing could probably get it done in a full day maybe a little more

[@princevegeeta6877]

If I'm just replacing the evaporator core do I need to take everything you did out if I already replaced the heater core

[@markbing1626]

yes

[@scottleverich8939]

Where did you buy your vintage from? I have a 77 Trans Am. Thanks

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

I got it from vintage air themselves, when I ordered mine you couldn’t do it online I had to call them to order cuz they want to make sure they get the right kit for your car so they ask you a bunch of questions about your car to make sure you get the right one!

[@anthonyvaccaro8819]

Doesn't the heater control valve go in line to the hose at the rear of the head not to the water pump?

[@matthewjoseph675]

Do you have to do anything with the drivers kick panel ?

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

Not on the factory ac car it’s just a cover I believe the non ac cars had a vent in them, but I’m not sure if it would need covering, you specify if your car was factory ac or not when ordering so a non ac kit might have something for it

[@thatawesomedude9274]

I'm assuming you have to take to a shop to have system sucked down and freon added?

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

Yes, I work at a shop so I sucked it down there and then I used a set of gauges and a vacuum pump to charge it at home

[@miguelpablo7278]

How much did the whole kit run you? do you have an itemized list of what you ordered, i want the exact set up too.

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

I don’t remember exactly but after shipping I think it came to $1800 you have to actually call to order them and when I called I ordered the “complete” kit for a factory ac car, you can order just parts and I believe you can order a kit with just the under dash stuff to use factory ac parts but I got the complete kit comes with condenser and compressor and all the goodness

[@miguelpablo7278]

@@hodgepodgegarage3911 thanks for the info, if you dont mind ill probably hit you up again for more questions in the future

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

@@miguelpablo7278 sounds good to me!

[@salvadormorales7843]

Can you still install it in a Firebird that did not come with factory A/C?

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

Yes they have a kit for cars with and without factory ac you just have to order the right kit

[@salvadormorales7843]

Thank you for the information!

[@raulpapichulo3327]

NICE JOB,,,WHICH KIT NUMBER IS THAT? I HAVE A 403C WITH SMOG PUMP,,,THANK YOU,,

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

Yikes it was so long ago I’m not sure, I called and ordered and they asked all the info for my car, I know they asked for engine size and if it came with ac factory

[@raulpapichulo3327]

THANK YOU,,,I WAS AT CLASSIC INDUSTRIES TODAY AND THAT'S WHAT THEY ASK ME,,,ENGINE SIZE,WATER PUMP SIZE,HEADERS,WICH SIDE IS THE ALTERNATOR,,,,I HAVE TO COME BACK TOMORROW,,,$2,158.00 ,,,, @@hodgepodgegarage3911

[@metalbill]

It appears you had a full system to begin with. Can I ask why you replaced it? My 77 has stock air handling equipment but I converted to 134a with a sanden style compressor and parallel flow condenser. And mine works great here in the Las Vegas desert.

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

I replaced every part of the ac system when I put the car together and converted to 134a but it never was able to keep it cool, I don’t know if it’s the t tops or what, but I never was able to get it to keep cool

[@chrisk9403]

With the vintage air do u get heat n ac with the vintage air kit

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

Yes it’s heat and ac in one unit!

[@chrisk9403]

Do u remember what part number kit ya baught

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

@@chrisk9403 that I do not, I called and order the kit and it was the complete kit, they have the option to sell just the compressor or condenser or just the under dash unit, I know mine was the complete kit, but they are specific to the car with either factory ac car or a non ac car

[@coltonnyegaard6369]

How much was the whole kit?

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

After shipping and everything I think it came out to a little over $1900

[@coltonnyegaard6369]

@@hodgepodgegarage3911 not bad. I got a 78 formula that I’m working on

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

@@coltonnyegaard6369 it’s really not for what you get, I replaced everything on the original ac system and it wasn’t cooling worth a crap, this as keeps the car very cool! Even with sun coming thru the t tops!

[@keithkoudelka5370]

Trans Am AC/

[@kamroncain2380]

Hey Adam, I sent you a message on Instagram. I am interested in all your components you got for the original AC! Still available?

[@hodgepodgegarage3911]

No sorry sold it about 2 weeks after I made the video!