AC compressor?

[hardhead]

I have a LQ4 and I'm about to install AC. I dont have the compressor that was on it but I have the bracket. What are you guys using? Should I just buy one from for the vintage air? It's in a 66, give me your ideas.

[solidaxel]

Will the stock compressor fit in your chassis in the lower position?

[jorgensensc]

This is what I can tell you. I'm doing an ls swap right now. I have vintage air in my '72 burb. Vintage air says a newer compressor won't work, something about them being variable. Others say it will work. I finally spoke with Brent at Dirty Dingo (Great Guy By The Way). He said it won't work well and actually gave me a great and thorough explanation as to why. Something about blowing cold then blowing hot. There is supposedly a newer compressor that is not variable, I think off vans. At the end of the day a new sanden compressor was 199.99 for the serpentine compressor. It cost a little more, but will be a lot less headache. Hope this helps a little!
Shawn

[solidaxel]

I heard the same story!
My local A/C guy said it would work with my stock 78.......................but there was a bit of interference with the chassis.....so he sold me a "larger" cubic inch Sanded for my DD brackets!

[Clyde65]

look at Kwick performance, they have a bracket also.

I have a LSX compressor from 2002 on my OLD AIR Products A/C system and it works just fine, I heard that the variable valving will perform considerably lower on these systems though. You can go with the high mount Sanden with the ribbed pully ( get it when you order your VA system) or if room is sufficient then use the stock LS, get you a compressor from a 1999-2002 and hook it up.

[Wasted Income]

Here are some mounts if you want to run an aftermarket Sanden down in the original location.

http://www.alangrovecomponents.com/LS.htm





I also like Holley's high mounts. They are cast aluminum like the rest of your accessory brackets and don't look out of place like plate steel or aluminum.

They have brackets for an R4 compressor
http://www.holley.com/20-131.asp

or a Sanden
http://www.holley.com/20-134.asp

[hardhead]

I believe it would require some trimming for the stock compressor. I like the looks of the Holley lower mount but I wonder if it would clear the frame with a Sanden compressor. I dont care for the upper mounting location but may have to live with it if its the only one that will fit.

[jorgensensc]

I just got all of my mounts from dirty dingo. I ended up doing both the AC and the alt/power steering brackets. It felt unsymmetrical with just the ac bracket alone. I know it was probably a waste of money! I will say the brackets showed up and they look very nice! Hopefully I can get the engine cleaned up and install the brackets this weekend. The other factor I considered was that I already have a sander compressor installed up high on the 402, so the lines will mount right up. Saves a little money trying to remake lines to fit. Also I wasn't in love with the idea of cutting the frame rails, even though I know it's minimal.
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[Jon01]

I've run the stock compressor on several swaps and they have all had ice cold a/c.

Now, granted, all of the swaps I've done have been LM7, LS1 and LS2's. I haven't done any 07+ motors so there may be a difference in their compressors.

[sunk99]

I talked to a tech guy at VA yesterday and was told that the variable compressors only cone on the corvette, T/A, Cameron type engines. He said the truck,Tahoe etc. were not variable and would work fine.
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[jorgensensc]

That's great info. Odd since they told me all the new ones were variable, except for the van compressors of some type. Not that I'm doubting you at all. It just seems they can't get their story straight.
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[sunk99]

I was concerned since I was planning on using the Tahoe compressor & this was the first time I have saw this topic so just wanted to get their opinion.
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[jorgensensc]

Here's an interesting read, which supports your info from vintage air!
http://m.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1017290
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[cjohnson6772]

Does anyone know the best place to get a serpentine pulley for a sanden 508? I think this thread convinced me to reuse my sanden instead of the factory LQ compressor. Did they come factory on anything I could rob the pulley from in a junkyard?
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[Clyde65]

cjohnson6772, VA has them, then take it to an AC place to install it on your compressor ( unless you can do it)

[jorgensensc]

Just watch the pricing. A new sanden compressor is 199.00. So if the pulley plus installation will cost you more than that your better off getting new.
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[cjohnson6772]

Originally Posted by jorgensensc

Just watch the pricing. A new sanden compressor is 199.00. So if the pulley plus installation will cost you more than that your better off getting new.
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I found a video on youtube showing the removal/replacement of the clutch and pulley and it looks straightforward enough. I just find the pulley. I'll check with VA.

Thanks.
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