Just wondered if anyone had experience using either of the two systems? I would like to add air to my 69 but wasn't sure what which one is better.

Clint

I got the vintage air for christmas. It's a Gen1 surefit and I would recommend not using it. I'd get classic air or wait for the vintage air Gen4 in a few months.

The classic has a lot of features that the gen4 will incorporate.

1stgenCR
I'm interested to know why you would not recomend using the Vintage Air kit that you have.. Have you fitted it or used it yet?
Is it's performance poor?

I am in the process of installing my Vintage Air Unit in my '68 coupe and have not had any problems.

Like you, I researched both products and checked out specifications, etc...the other thing I did was to check out what other folks were using when I went to cruise-ins and other car shows.

What I found in that non-scientific method was that, at least here in Texas ( Vintage 's home office is in San Antonio, if I'm not mistaken?), the Vintage units are installed in at least five or six times as many street rods, retro-fits as the Classic Air Units.....I have not spoken to anyone who is disappointed in Vinatge Air...again, that is what I've seen here in Texas....in the east ( Classic is based in Florida), the ratio may be reversed?

My final decision was based on conversations I had with other Camaro owners who had installed the Vintage units....none of them had anything negative to say about Vintage and all of them said their customer service was great....

I'll post comments when I have my unit running.....

I suggest the Classic Auto Air,, well yes because I sell them,, I also have installed them, (a no brainer),, and I've had to work on both systems,,, the Classic was far easier to service.
Underhood components are all nearly identical.
its the HVAC box and fitments etc the Classic excels in.

1stgenCR
I'm interested to know why you would not recomend using the Vintage Air kit that you have.. Have you fitted it or used it yet?
Is it's performance poor?

I recommend the classic because:
1) it is technologically superior with respect to using seperate evaporator and heater core.
2) no rubber heater hoses are routed into the passenger compartment. On the vintage air unit if you have to replace a hose you have to worry about fluid spilliing in the car and worse if for some reason the hose failed inside the car it could make a mess. Note given the portion of the hose inside the car is not subject to the elements like in the engine compartment this would be rare.
3) Unless you use custom routing (like I did) on a factory A/C car the vintage air requires cutting a large 3.5" hole in your firewall.
4) vintage air evap box is sealed plastic and much harder to service if you want to.

The vintage air Gen4 unit is coming out in a few months and will be worth the wait IMO. It will have seperate evap and heater core and some other more superior parts.

Note: My vintage air unit is installed and wired up with the heater working. I have to try and get a different A/C hose that is longer before I can charge the A/C lines. Since I routed the hoses through the kick panel and through the blower hose and hidden in the fendor one of the A/C hoses is not long enough (I bought the universal kit with longer hoses and one side uncrimped too :( ). So I can't speak to how well the cooling works. I'm sure it will be ok.

EDIT: I have pics on my website of the firewall from the engine compartment showing what it looks like with the hoses being routed differently. Even though I don't have a smoothed firewall I think it is astetically much nicer.

1stgenCR - thats looks very clean having the hoses routed that way. Good idea!!

Pepsi or Coke, Big Block or small block, F@rd or Chevy, AT or stick... the debate goes on.
I have about an 8 year old Vintage Air and I never had to drill any holes in my firewall. Don't know why they would change to that ?
How often has a vintage airs, evaporater needed servicing ? Why make it easily serviceable unless you have to service it ! Salesman are a PITA. IMHO.

Pepsi or Coke, Big Block or small block, F@rd or Chevy, AT or stick... the debate goes on.
I have about an 8 year old Vintage Air and I never had to drill any holes in my firewall. Don't know why they would change to that ?
How often has a vintage airs, evaporater needed servicing ? Why make it easily serviceable unless you have to service it ! Salesman are a PITA. IMHO.

I beleive that it only applies to factory A/C cars. Vintage air changed the design so that it is the same evap under dash box for both factory or non factory cars and on a factory ac car you have to cut a hole in the firewall. Not sure why you would question that when it spells it out in the installation instructions avaiable on their site to download and comes in the kit I have.

Oh and there are not parts in either kit which require servicing. The service comment is with respect to a failed component and we all know that stuff can happen to the best of parts.

Not sure why you would make a salesman comment or if it was in response to me. I am merely basing my comments on my own personal experience and the knowledge I have about the two different kits. Bottom line, wait for the Gen4 unit if you can. I couldn't, /shrug.

Sorry if you took that personally, it wasn't meant as no disrespect to you or anyone else here. My car was a factory air car, but I have not looked at their newer instructions. I had no reason too. My Vintage Air system was a PITA to install, but it seems to work great.

I just looked at the instructions on Vintage Air's web site and found that, the hole must be drilled for 67-68's. Not on the 69's as mine is. Or as the originater of this thread, cwb90.

Bah, bad day at work today I guess :p Of course the darned 69's are different lol.