Electronic HVAC upgrade?
03-20-2013, 02:41 PM
#1
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Car: '88 Formula
Engine: 406, CF heads, Comp 212/218, Rhoads
Transmission: WC T5, 0.61 option
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt 3.08, re-ground Auburn Posi
Electronic HVAC upgrade?
I searched, but didn't find this....
I've been spoiled by the electronic HVAC system in my '05 Impala. I like that it doesn't depend on vacuum at all, and it always "just works."
My 'Bird has a broken defroster door. I'm going to open it up and fix that, but then I got to thinking....
I'm trying to figure out if it's even possible (with some fabrication) to put a late-model electronic HVAC box in my 'Bird. If it's from an Impala or similar, it would move the A/C evaporator inside, plus clean up the right rear of the engine compartment. A lot! I'm already planning to upgrade the A/C to one originally made for R-134A (already got a 4th-gen condenser and compressor), so I'm already looking at re-fabbing the A/C evaporator box, anyway.
Has anyone put an electronic HVAC box in their 3rd-gen? Doesn't matter from what donor. Dual-zone or not.
I've been spoiled by the electronic HVAC system in my '05 Impala. I like that it doesn't depend on vacuum at all, and it always "just works."
My 'Bird has a broken defroster door. I'm going to open it up and fix that, but then I got to thinking....
I'm trying to figure out if it's even possible (with some fabrication) to put a late-model electronic HVAC box in my 'Bird. If it's from an Impala or similar, it would move the A/C evaporator inside, plus clean up the right rear of the engine compartment. A lot! I'm already planning to upgrade the A/C to one originally made for R-134A (already got a 4th-gen condenser and compressor), so I'm already looking at re-fabbing the A/C evaporator box, anyway.
Has anyone put an electronic HVAC box in their 3rd-gen? Doesn't matter from what donor. Dual-zone or not.
03-20-2013, 04:13 PM
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Car: 89 RS
Engine: Stock L03
Transmission: Stock T5
Axle/Gears: Stock, Too high
Re: Electronic HVAC upgrade?
I haven't done it, but I'm very interested to see what comes of this.
03-20-2013, 04:45 PM
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Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.45
Re: Electronic HVAC upgrade?
HVAC ducting is very specific to the shape of the car it was designed for. You would be be very lucky to find something more modern that has the shape of a 3rd gen firewall.
If it's the vacuum motors that you don't like, the best bet would be to keep the existing ducts, but use a modern electronic head unit and wiring harness. Remove the vacuum motors and replace them with electric blend door motors. Finding those will be possible since all modern cars use them and one will certainly fit the mounting space and stroke that you need in order to open and close the doors.
But realistically, this sounds like a 10% inpsiration, 90% perspiration endeavour to find the right blend door motors. In the long run it would be easier to replace leaking vacuum door motors.
If it's the vacuum motors that you don't like, the best bet would be to keep the existing ducts, but use a modern electronic head unit and wiring harness. Remove the vacuum motors and replace them with electric blend door motors. Finding those will be possible since all modern cars use them and one will certainly fit the mounting space and stroke that you need in order to open and close the doors.
But realistically, this sounds like a 10% inpsiration, 90% perspiration endeavour to find the right blend door motors. In the long run it would be easier to replace leaking vacuum door motors.
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