Adding A/C to a Z/28? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

al8apex · 07-22-2016, 06:27 PM

Hi Guys,
Im looking at a 2015 Z28 with 1100 miles without factory Air Conditioning. Does anyone know if its possible to add A/C and if so what it would take to do it? I live in Arizona, this is a must for me.. 8)

Thanks for any help!

69L48Z27 · 07-22-2016, 06:56 PM

Anything can be done, there was another thread here the other day about it. Why wouldn't you look for a car with AC? More came with AC than did not and there is a fair amount of used inventory. At least on the east coast it is.

Stephen12ZL1 · 07-22-2016, 06:56 PM

plenty of cars available with ac so I would search in a larger radius

al8apex · 07-22-2016, 07:19 PM

Think this car can be bought for $43000 that's why im looking at it. Im figuring it would cost about $2500 to covert but not sure what Mr Murphy has in store for me.

JUSTIFIED · 07-22-2016, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al8apex

Think this car can be bought for $43000 that's why im looking at it. Im figuring it would cost about $2500 to covert but not sure what Mr Murphy has in store for me.

I checked into this a while back before finding one w/ AC. None of the electrical wiring was installed in non AC cars and I was told that it was going to be quite expensive to install. I did not get a quote, however. As StephenZL1 said... widen your net. There are plenty of AC cars out there. Would most likely be cheaper to pay for shipping or picking it up and driving it home.

PeteD · 07-22-2016, 08:00 PM

When they first came out, it was a $1500 option to get the Z with AC. Not sure how much to add it on after the fact

2SSRS@Gen5diy · 07-23-2016, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al8apex

Hi Guys,
Im looking at a 2015 Z28 with 1100 miles without factory Air Conditioning. Does anyone know if its possible to add A/C and if so what it would take to do it? I live in Arizona, this is a must for me.. 8)

Thanks for any help!

Tell me about it, it was 118 here today and at 3 pm I got the Z out of the trailer, that was not fun, like the others said find a car with AC if you can, if not you can add AC but there are lots of parts you will need, IMO your looking at 5G to upgrade if not more.

al8apex · 07-23-2016, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z28 HLR

Have you asked a GM dealer? They certainly could offer a quote.

Thanks for all the help guys! Yes, they are saying only $1400 in hard parts but we couldn't figure out the wiring before my parts guy went home for the weekend. Wiring will be my concern. I made an low offer on the car and will know pretty soon, I'm pretty excited if he takes it..

Spyglass · 07-23-2016, 09:42 AM

If you can buy it for 43k.... buy it and put ac. That's an insane price. Id be more concerned as to why he is selling it for 43k. Did you check Carfax?

68rssscamaro · 07-23-2016, 09:46 AM

Thats a great price! Buy it and get a dash fan!

Zslash28 · 07-23-2016, 10:36 AM

The compressor, under dash box, and dash controls are going to run you nearly $1400. I wish I could get my hands on a full blown illustrated parts breakdown to see all of the differences.

Zslash28 · 07-23-2016, 07:17 PM

So, I just went through the GM parts direct site and made an excel for all of the components it lists for the HVAC system, to include the dash control unit. I cam up with $2620 before shipping for all of the hard parts. I am left with a few thoughts, ideas, questions.
.
1. compressor PN: 22798907. Is this a common part that could be sourced from the SS or other models?
2. Wiring for the compressor, pig tails have to be available since aftermarket wiring companies build these all the time. This wiring is likely routed through the fuse/relay panel and into the cabin. Seems like an easy harness to make with a few connections to poke into factory bulkheads. Need to hook up to the ECM for the A/C clutch Relay Control and the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor signal. Likely would include a 5v reference signal wire. If I had wiring diagrams to look at I could figure this out. I am guessing the ECM will trigger the cooling fans based on the signals it receives.
3. Body control module....does this component play any part in the A/C system?
4. Firewall holes/pass through. This could be a deal breaker if the firewall does not have the opening for the condenser lines to pass through.
5. Under dash HVAC case. This is the bulk of the cost I quoted above at just over $1,000 in new parts. I have no doubt that this case crosses over between models, just need to confirm part numbers.
6. But....the kicker that really could make this work is three fold, first the HVAC case needs to be able to be opened without destroying it, to put in the condenser. Second...Are all of the other HVAC controls/motors/valves present on the non-A/C car's HVAC case? Third, can the current controls on the dash control the A/C? This would mean that a quick condenser install with a controls wiring harness would be in order. If so....Bob's your uncle.
7. Last but not least, ECM, will this need to be reprogrammed to recognize/operate with the A/C installed?
.
Given the hard parts install, small wiring job, potential BCM and ECM questions, this swap could be easily done over a weekend. Hardest part will be removing the dash assembly, and the wiring in the engine bay.
.
Anyone have access to the 2014 Camaro factory service manual volume 3 specifically? I want to see wiring diagrams, and part number diagrams. I was going to try Alldata, but don't want to waste my money of I cannot cross check between models for part numbers.

2SSRS@Gen5diy · 07-23-2016, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zslash28

The compressor, under dash box, and dash controls are going to run you nearly $1400. I wish I could get my hands on a full blown illustrated parts breakdown to see all of the differences.

That was the pic we posted, we have them here, wiring is not hard we have that too. LOL

07-22-2016, 06:27 PM	#1
al8apex Drives: 2015 Z/28 Summit White Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Queen Creek Az Posts: 7	Adding A/C to a Z/28? Hi Guys, Im looking at a 2015 Z28 with 1100 miles without factory Air Conditioning. Does anyone know if its possible to add A/C and if so what it would take to do it? I live in Arizona, this is a must for me.. 8) Thanks for any help!

07-22-2016, 06:56 PM	#3
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,824	plenty of cars available with ac so I would search in a larger radius __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

07-22-2016, 08:00 PM	#6
PeteD Drives: 2012 2SS Victory Red with white st Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: NC Posts: 1,612	When they first came out, it was a $1500 option to get the Z with AC. Not sure how much to add it on after the fact __________________ My YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCid...AUbfN2HOE71B9w

07-23-2016, 09:46 AM	#10
68rssscamaro Camaro: A Legend Reborn!! Drives: SOLD: 12 2SS/RS LS3 45th Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: NY Posts: 743 View My Garage	Thats a great price! Buy it and get a dash fan! __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

07-23-2016, 10:36 AM	#11
Zslash28 Jumanji Drives: '14 Z/28 - AGM - No A/C Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Alaska Posts: 1,693	The compressor, under dash box, and dash controls are going to run you nearly $1400. I wish I could get my hands on a full blown illustrated parts breakdown to see all of the differences. __________________ Keeper of the 5th Gen Z/28 Registry. Registry Facebook. Follow: @5th_gen_z28_registry I track wrecked Z/28s Total lost -41

07-22-2016, 06:56 PM	#2
69L48Z27 Drives: 2015 Z/28; 1969 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: York, PA Posts: 814	Anything can be done, there was another thread here the other day about it. Why wouldn't you look for a car with AC? More came with AC than did not and there is a fair amount of used inventory. At least on the east coast it is.

07-22-2016, 07:19 PM	#4
al8apex Drives: 2015 Z/28 Summit White Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Queen Creek Az Posts: 7	Think this car can be bought for $43000 that's why im looking at it. Im figuring it would cost about $2500 to covert but not sure what Mr Murphy has in store for me.

07-23-2016, 09:42 AM	#9
Spyglass Drives: Too many Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Big Apple Posts: 152	If you can buy it for 43k.... buy it and put ac. That's an insane price. Id be more concerned as to why he is selling it for 43k. Did you check Carfax?

07-23-2016, 07:17 PM	#12
Zslash28 Jumanji Drives: '14 Z/28 - AGM - No A/C Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Alaska Posts: 1,693	So, I just went through the GM parts direct site and made an excel for all of the components it lists for the HVAC system, to include the dash control unit. I cam up with $2620 before shipping for all of the hard parts. I am left with a few thoughts, ideas, questions. . 1. compressor PN: 22798907. Is this a common part that could be sourced from the SS or other models? 2. Wiring for the compressor, pig tails have to be available since aftermarket wiring companies build these all the time. This wiring is likely routed through the fuse/relay panel and into the cabin. Seems like an easy harness to make with a few connections to poke into factory bulkheads. Need to hook up to the ECM for the A/C clutch Relay Control and the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor signal. Likely would include a 5v reference signal wire. If I had wiring diagrams to look at I could figure this out. I am guessing the ECM will trigger the cooling fans based on the signals it receives. 3. Body control module....does this component play any part in the A/C system? 4. Firewall holes/pass through. This could be a deal breaker if the firewall does not have the opening for the condenser lines to pass through. 5. Under dash HVAC case. This is the bulk of the cost I quoted above at just over $1,000 in new parts. I have no doubt that this case crosses over between models, just need to confirm part numbers. 6. But....the kicker that really could make this work is three fold, first the HVAC case needs to be able to be opened without destroying it, to put in the condenser. Second...Are all of the other HVAC controls/motors/valves present on the non-A/C car's HVAC case? Third, can the current controls on the dash control the A/C? This would mean that a quick condenser install with a controls wiring harness would be in order. If so....Bob's your uncle. 7. Last but not least, ECM, will this need to be reprogrammed to recognize/operate with the A/C installed? . Given the hard parts install, small wiring job, potential BCM and ECM questions, this swap could be easily done over a weekend. Hardest part will be removing the dash assembly, and the wiring in the engine bay. . Anyone have access to the 2014 Camaro factory service manual volume 3 specifically? I want to see wiring diagrams, and part number diagrams. I was going to try Alldata, but don't want to waste my money of I cannot cross check between models for part numbers. __________________ Keeper of the 5th Gen Z/28 Registry. Registry Facebook. Follow: @5th_gen_z28_registry I track wrecked Z/28s Total lost -41 Last edited by Zslash28; 07-23-2016 at 08:04 PM.