Vintage Air center vent option

[twov8sandat4]

Good morning everyone,

I am installing the Vintage Air system on my 74 T/A.  My car is non ac car, equipped with the center console and 8-track player.  The standard non ac Vintage Air kit comes with center vents where the 8-track is located.  I am trying to decide whether to remove the 8-track and install the standard center vents in its place, or either modify the factory dash, or find a factory ac dash for the optional factory style center vents, and keep the 8-track.

Page 6 has the different center vents:
https://store-xovjmui41g.mybigcommerce.com/content/561415.pdf

Thanks

[Wallington]

Do you like fresh air?

[roadking77]

I think if it were my car, and considering the vintage air is a pretty major modification, I would not hesitate to remove the 8 track and install the vent in that location. It actually looks pretty good there.

[b_hill_86]

Guess it depends how much you like your player. Doesn’t seem that it would be difficult to add the factory vents since the ducting is provided by vintage air. Would probably only need the vent louvers and an AC bezel.

[5th T/A]

I am not sure what question you are asking? What is most important to you? Are you looking for original looks with a factory 8 track or a slightly easier installation?

Does the 8 track still work? Do you ever play 8 track tapes? If original look and function is important, I would keep the 8 track and use the original factory AC center vent location. This will cost more, for the Vintage air vent kit. Or a LOT more if you want to use the original dash bezel with the two additional round vents. If you don't care about losing your 8 track and putting an AC vent in its place, go that route. Selling the 8 track and wiring harness, you could probably get a decent buck to help offset some the VA kit price.

A 1974 TA is a pretty low production year compared to later Gen II's and probably worth more money the closer you keep it towards original. Let us know what you decide.

[twov8sandat4]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I've owned the car for 35 years, and God willing for another 35, so its value has no impact on my decision.  However, the 8-track and am/fm stereo are 2 of the only 4 options on the car (center console and unitized ignition being the other 2), so I am hesitant on ditching it right now.  I guess it comes down to whether I can find (and spend$$) on a factory ac dash to use, as I hate to drill holes in the original non ac dash...

I appreciate all your thoughts.

Thanks.

[N PRGRES]

Does adding at AC vents modify the car to the point that the 8 track couldn't be added back later if you decided to for some reason?

[5th T/A]

Here is a third option!

I am a big fan of originality. Although I guess I contradict myself. I pulled a perfectly good original engine with under 7,000 miles out of my 80 TA and replaced it with something producing over three times the horsepower (still a Pontiac engine).

Since you want to keep the original radio and tape player in your car (I applaud you for this). There is a third option. For now don’t install a center vent, you could always add one latter if you so desire. You could also direct the duct for the center vent to the floor, but still out of site. Allowing you to have a stock looking dash.

[roadking77]

Ha, thats pretty good Larry

Can you not just replace the bezel? I have a dash in the shop I will look and see what the back side looks like.
I also have an a/c bezel that can be yours for a minimal buy in!

[b_hill_86]

It should just be a matter of changing the bezel. That said, what’s your timeframe? I have a decent bezel currently on my car and a spare in the garage. I planned to send the spare out to be refinished then was going to sell the bezel on the car. I just haven’t gotten around to sending the other out yet but I should probably soon if you’d be interested in my old bezel

[twov8sandat4]

Here is a third option!

I am a big fan of originality. Although I guess I contradict myself. I pulled a perfectly good original engine with under 7,000 miles out of my 80 TA and replaced it with something producing over three times the horsepower (still a Pontiac engine).

Since you want to keep the original radio and tape player in your car (I applaud you for this). There is a third option. For now don’t install a center vent, you could always add one latter if you so desire. You could also direct the duct for the center vent to the floor, but still out of site. Allowing you to have a stock looking dash.

I'm in the same boat as you, some things I have gone off the reservation (suspension, brakes, chassis, wheels/tires...), but for some reason I am stuck on this item that 99.999% of the time will not be used and/or noticed by anyone  .  I guess if I can find an ac dash for a reasonable price, it would solve the issue at hand.  I can do like you said and just let the center two vents blow towards the feet until I can find a dash



This is how the exterior looks like currently

[twov8sandat4]

Does adding at AC vents modify the car to the point that the 8 track couldn't be added back later if you decided to for some reason?

I have to check that out.  I don't know if the center console was different for the map pocket vs the 8-track.  The Vintage Air manual talks about the map pocket for the center vent.

Thanks all for your input.  I appreciate it. 

 

[roadking77]

Beautiful car!  I do not think there is any difference in the console. The eight track installs by taking the map pocket out. I dont know the 80/81 cars that well but I imagine they are even the same, however the map pocket is used for the computer. I would imagine by that time frame the 8 track was in the radio.

[N PRGRES]

Beautiful car!  I do not think there is any difference in the console. The eight track installs by taking the map pocket out. I dont know the 80/81 cars that well but I imagine they are even the same, however the map pocket is used for the computer. I would imagine by that time frame the 8 track was in the radio.

Not sure on the 80, but there is no map pocket on the 81s, its just flat there.

[b_hill_86]

Last year to be equipped with the console mounted 8 track was 77. Any FIREBIRD console that has a provision for a map pocket (up through 1980 I believe but don’t quote me) can physically accept the console mounted player. The Camaro consoles although similar have a different map pocket area.

[twov8sandat4]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen.  I’ll experiment with the 8 track location for my curiosity while I look for an ac dash.

Thanks 🙏.

[Vroom_vroom]

if you buy a dash kit from vintage air they send you everything you need to make your bezel a ac one. comes with a very nice, thick steel guide to drill the holes with. mine was already booger-ed so i bought a ac one off fleabay. i had to buy the kit as i still needed the duct and deflector. ended up with the temp let and trim rings in the spare parts bin

[Wallington]

x2 I don't understand the need to relocate AC vents even if had no 8-track at all. Sure, you'd need a new dash facia, perhaps a vent or two that are easily available. That would be the far simpler way around a problem. But like i mentioned, you'll need to drive with windows down a lot, they rarely mention how you lose the fresh air intake with these kits. Many compromises.