bingo

iTrader: (2)

I am about to order the parts to make A/C lines on my Firebird. Does anyone know what size fittings fit the accumulator and condenser. I also need to know how much and what sizes of lines I need using the vette brackets. Anyone that has done this swap feel free to chime in. I will be ordering the compressor block and the lines and fittings from hotrodair.com. I know I am asking a lot, but maybe someone can clue me in. If anyone has a pic of finished A/C please post it.

bingo

iTrader: (2)

I tried contacting J's T/A but haven't heard back yet. After 3 hours of looking, it doesn't seem like too many people have finished the A/C part of the swap

net_coma

iTrader: (3)

LT1powered89 sent me this link. If you are removing the egr this will make your life better. I must retain the egr so I am not sure just what to do. Take a look at his posted pictures and you will see the a/c compressor relocated.

http://www.bowersrodshop.com/

bingo

iTrader: (2)

I have the vette accessories, that wouldn't help me. My compressor is mounted high on the drivers side with the ports facing forward.

net_coma

iTrader: (3)

You should be in pretty good shape. I should have bought the vette lt1 when I found it but alas waited and wondering now about the fbody A/C.

Does anyone make a crossmember for the lt1 swap?

bingo

iTrader: (2)

What type engine or Transmission? The engine uses the factory peice and spohn makes a T56 crossmember. The automatic uses the factory one. A/C has tormented me since the beginning. I switched to the vette brackets to make this easier. The vette compressor uses a specific hose block( found that part ), now I have to figure out lengths and fitting size. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...-question.html This is a link that shows my setup.I have since found the compressor top (Thanks David Petersen)

TexasLT1

Bingo, I'll try to get my hoses measured this weekend and get you fitting sizes. I've got 2 hoses sitting in the shop, but they are about 3-4" too long at this point and have the wrong shape fitting on them for what I finally decided to try.

net_coma - no, there is no LT1 swap crossmember. no one could make enough off it to justify the resources to make and market it, unfortunately. With everyone going the LS1 route these days there aren't too many of us left doing LT1s. With that said, its not the end of the world using the F-body accessories. Just takes a little more time to modify the crossmember to clear.

net_coma

iTrader: (3)

The only part of the swap that has me confused is the A/C, well that and wondering if my garage has enough head room for the engine to clear the front end/fenders. I am pretty attentative to this forum and see a lot about the A/C but don't recall reading how to make one on an fbody lt1 work. I, of course, will not fully understand the clearance issues until the engine is off the stand and in the car.

TexasLT1

thats really the easiest way to see just what you have to do. just drop the engine in slowly until it gets most of the way in, then you'll see just where the compressor will hit.

bingo

iTrader: (2)

hpsalvage.com has some good pictures of the crossmember, but they don't help much with A/C lines. Texas, I appreciate it. What did you finally decide? I have no clue how long my hoses will have to be with the vette setup.

net_coma

iTrader: (3)

Can't you mount everything including the metal ends and then take a piece of hose (garden, heater) of apx the same diameter and route it along the intended path with retainers all in place and then measure? Only other thing I can think of is being sure to allow for the correct crimp location and length.

bingo

iTrader: (2)

I will probably order the lines with the accumulator and condensor ends crimped and allow enough hose to cut and crimp. The funny thing is that I can get A/C lines crimped locally, but I can not buy them. The only parts store that can get the hose is the NAPA I used to work for and they won't order less than 50 feet. I am going to order an adapter from hotrodair once I figure out fittings and such. I also need to look at routing with a ram air box. J's T/A finished his A/C, but I have not been able to contact him. If anyone needs part numbers for the vette brackets let me know.

net_coma

iTrader: (3)

If you have the part numbers to change mine from fbody mounting to corvette mounted accessories I would like to have the list.

Klortho

That gets pricy, I have seen the corvette accessory brackets go for over 300 bucks.

net_coma

iTrader: (3)

Whats another three or four hundred...this project is already out of hand. The car will never bring what I will put into it so may as well have A/C. I have not even opened up the engine for the rebuild. While it is apart may as well get some LE head work done since he is only about 30 miles away. Bought a
t5 and decided nah...so now have a t56 also....it never ends.

bingo

iTrader: (2)

The vette stuff( I wish it was only $300):
main bracket 12550052
p/s pulley 10227069
4 bolt(A/C compressor) 11514485
shield(idler) 10210440
p/s pipe 26025172
bolt(tensioner?) 10105370
bolt(idler?) 9440111
tensioner 10227507
Gates Idler pulley(Autozone) 38015
I have lost the invoice for the p/s resevoir.
In addition to this you will need a vette p/s pump,A/C compressor, balancer, move several wires and reclock the alternator. The p/s lines are different too. I think I got to reuse my p/s pump bolts. The compressor can be bought from Autozone for $300, but doesn't come with the top plate
This will put you where I am now.

J's T/A

iTrader: (2)

Didn't know anyone was trying to get ahold of me for help with A/C no pm's or emails showed up.. try again and I will tell you what I know. Originally my lines were done by getting a corvette hose and then having a hydraulic shop cut and splice the lines.. I didn't like the hacked up look so Hotrod air made me some custom lines, they knew all the fitting sized right off the top of their heads.

bingo

iTrader: (2)

I tried PM a while back when my internet was having problems. I ordered a kit from hotrodair to get mine going. I need to get a new accumulator and charge mine. I will post pics when I get both of my hoses done. Wayne at Hotrodair is great to deal with.

Jeffluke

I am in the process of doing the LT1 swap, I do not need my car on the road asap, so I still have the 305 in it, and doing the SLP header egr mod and the o2 sensor add on, and set the LT1 ac bracket in, only two of the bolts line up, enough to set up the ac lines, I will have to locate a late style compressor fitting with the outlets coming off the side and turn 90 to the condensor and up to the dryer, and pick up some heliarc wire for my gas mig, I will let everyone know what I come up with, and what fittings work, same w/fuel lines and post some pics, as I will not remove the motor until I get the ac setup first so it will drop right in and only have to wire it....did finish the Z06/LS1 13inch brake conversion....It is just plain incredible, hopefully it will be as fast as it stops.

Jeffluke

Just put the LT1 in and sorting out the ac and ps lines, farewell 305 TPI you were great soldier and will not be forgotten, I have found a set of ac lines that work, they are 93 impala 305 tbi lines, you have to rebend them to fit, but they fit very well, seems to be strong enough after the rebending, I am going to locate another set of them today as I used a used set to test fit them, the only thing I noticed is that the low side charging conn is on the block by the compressor, it would not be used anyway as 3rd gens have the conn on the dryer, will play with the car today....anyone know what kind of aluminum the ac lines are made of.

bingo

iTrader: (2)

Very thin! I broke some A/C lines trying to rebend a set. Yes I was careful. I hope to have my A/C working today.

98_LS1

Guys with the f-body brackets, I found a place that makes a A/C relocation kit for the LT1 which moves it to the drivers top, It's called Bowers race and rod shop, they sell the kit for $289.00, it comes with all the brackets, a new belt and idle pulley. I''m going this route because I really don't feel like cutting on motor mounts and the crossmember. It puts the compressor in pretty much the factory location my my 87 so I can get a better idea of how much line I need made.

Bowers Race and Rod Shop - Pulley Information

Klortho

Blah, why pay 300 bucks for relocation brackets when all it costs is around 25 bucks for the new 90* hoseblock and then about another 30 bucks for ac lines.

I've already got too much tied up in the swap and need that 300 for other things like body work and paint.

98_LS1

It's up to you how you do it, as for myself I'm not going to cut up my crossmember and motor mount to cram the A/C in place. I'd rather have it on the drivers side anyway. I've allready got nearly thirty grand in my car so whats another $300.00.

Klortho

Picked up my LT1 A/C condenser today. Going to get the hoseblock ordered, get the lines made up hopefully in a week or two, and will let you guys know how it works. I'm using a 4th gen condenser, and 3rd gen dryer setup and I have a good friend who does HVAC work and we're going to set it up and he explained how to hook it up so hopefully everything will work great. Apparently the 4th gens use a filter/receiver and expansion valve instead of a dryer/orifice tube setup so it's gotta be run a bit different than the 3rd gen setup.

And you don't have to cut up the crossmember to make the 4th gen compressor fit. A BFH does wonders on the crossmember without weakening it and the motor mount just cut the corner out, flatten it and reweld. Mine is holding great so far, and I've been beating on it quite regularly.

net_coma

iTrader: (3)

Is there a reason for the 4th gen condenser other than availability?

Klortho

I'm running a 4th gen radiator/fan setup, so ease of installation since it just slides into the back of the radiator.

98_LS1

On that back bolt that holds the compressor to the block, is that where I'd have to cut the mount then re-weld a piece of steel plate around it to hold it on? I was looking at it last night and it doesn't look like it would be too bad of a job. Let me know how the A/C goes, I'm keeping the 3rd gen evap canister and condensor since their brand new while running the 4th gen compressor. BTW, where did you have the power steering line made up at? Would Royal Brass and hose make one or would NAPA? I've gotten everything in and hooked up and now I'm too the point of wiring and getting the Power steering and A/C hooked up.

Klortho

What I did on the power steering was I took the original P/S cooler line and cut it, and Royal Brass and Hose made some ends and put them on the line for me, made up a pressure hose for both sides and it works like a charm. Do a search for TexasLT1 on here or hpsalvage on google both have pictures showing how the motor mount clamshell has to be modified for the a/c compressor to fit.

98_LS1

Thanks for all your help, I'm going to Royal Brass and hose at lunch since I work right next to them and get that power steering line made. I still need to call TN auto parts and see if they have a power steering reservoir, if not then I'm going to order that billet one from Summit Racing. Just a few little odd ball things and the motor will be done.

bingo

iTrader: (2)

I hate to hijack my own thread, but I have another question about A/C. Do the condensers go out often on third gens? My line pressure on the high side is 500 PSI. I think the blockage might be in my condenser.

Klortho

Dunno, I just swapped mine to a known good 4th gen condenser. I'm really close to getting mine hooked up so I'm hoping within a week it will be done.

Klortho

Y'know, I've looked closely and I think I can make the 4th gen A/C lines work. They don't look like they will hit the motor mount, won't know until I get into it and see.