1982-88 Monte Carlo/El Camino Evaporator Kit Installation from Vintage Air

[DSPbuilt]

I'm glad that this exist. $2100 or so doesn't seem that bad.

Complete Kits - Vintage Air

www.vintageair.com

It isn’t at all. I tried to piece together another kit from restomod air and it was well above that price but all the work to make it fit.
My only regret is not buying it when it was $1850
I emailed them and they can quote you a price with different brackets like in my case with brackets and a compressor for an LS.

 

[clean8485]

Does anyone know if this kit will work with the '78-'80 Malibu/Monte Carlo dash?

 

[pagrunt]

Does anyone know if this kit will work with the '78-'80 Malibu/Monte Carlo dash?

Should fits as '78-'80 & '81-'88 dashes all use the same duct work in OE form.

 

[Stumblebum]

Does anyone know if this kit will work with the '78-'80 Malibu/Monte Carlo dash?

I've got an '80(?) dash over here too. All the vent pieces appear to line up and fit. I don't have the early style center vent section to 100% verify though. Despite that the early style dashes stick out just a smidge more than later style, so you may have to modify something just a little. I'll let you guys figure that one out.

 

[clean8485]

Thanks to you both. I thought there might be a bit less room behind the earlier dash, since it doesn't appear to stick out as far on the passenger's side. I find it a bit odd as well, that Vintage Air lists that kit for '82 and newer Monte Carlo and El Camino, unless there is something different with these cars, starting in 1982, that I'm not aware of.

 

[clean8485]

Just to help people with information, I called Vintage Air today, and spoke to one of their technical guys. According to him, the reason why their kit is listed for 1982 and newer cars, is that they didn't have a vehicle that was older than 1982, to use to test the fitment of their kit on an older A/G body. So while their tech guy would not confirm that their kit will work on the older cars, in my opinion, I think it should be fine. I haven't placed an order yet (and I was told that right now, there's a 14-16 week lead time to fill orders for the complete kit), but I'm looking seriously at it.

 

[pagrunt]

the reason why their kit is listed for 1982 and newer cars, is that they didn't have a vehicle that was older than 1982, to use to test the fitment of their kit on an older A/G body. So while their tech guy would not confirm that their kit will work on the older cars,

If the aftermarket custom car part manufacturer/supplier can't verify a part/kit can't fit cars of a platform generation dispite using a segment of years from that generation especially something that is common across the board they shouldn't be considered car guys. Dealing with anything that has been hot rodded over 20 years, the common fit knowlege should be known. Faith in Vintage Air should be low not knowing an '81 & '82 A/G are the same is insulting, worse that the know nothing of the generation life span of '78-'88. Don't like it when cars guys don't know cars.

 

[Tony1968]

Looking at your pictures again it seems like the unit sits too far rearward BUT my car is a Cutlass. Did you mock up dash to make sure everything clears???

 

[houston_t]

Man I need this for my 79 its a factory non ac car.

 

[SS Elco]

I'm looking at installing this setup in my 85 Elky, mostly because I plan on putting in a 454 this winter and it will give me some underhood room. That plus I ripped out a lot of the OEM stuff a few years back. Does this setup still pull outside air in? I see you took your dash out which, no doubt makes it immensely easier. If I go that route I might as well replace the dash. Thanks for sharing.