heater/AC now or later?

[ben1272]

I am running plumbing in my car and would like to have heat and maybe even AC. I am thinking that I will do neither at the moment, get the car running, and then this winter put it back up on jack stands and take body off and do all sorts of things, hopefully heat and AC then. Is this a crazy or stupid idea for some reason? I'd really like to have the car in go-kart mode before summer is out so I can get some driving in up and down my street to shake it out a bit. I worry that doing heat now and especially AC will delay me to the point of risking running the car this summer.

Anyone had similar thoughts or better, experience with this quandary?

Thanks!

-Ben

[wallace18]

I would put the A/C in from the start if it was me. I have done 3- 818's and it is always easier to do from the start, IMO. Best of luck. Vintage air mini gen II works great in the 818.

[Harley818]

i would agree with Wallace.
much easier access and helps planning the layout for everything.
I just installed Vintage Air Gen II heater. no A/C.
Easy installation.

[AZPete]

Yes, it's easiest to put in from the start, but HVAC can be added later. You could get the hoses from Vintage Air and run two inside a side sail to save removing the side sail later. And, if you have the donor compressor you could mount it on the engine now to avoid making belt changes now. Make sure, however, that you keep the compressor ports and the hose ends covered because you don't want moisture or crud to get in. Also make sure you mount the dash so you can remove it later to add ducts. Then, when you want, you can add all the other stuff. The Vintage Air AC works well in my 818S and I'm now making it an 818C.