I was wondering which kits are better both in quality and ease of installation. Picture thread would be cool too. Under dash and engine compartment showing the components/install. I researched old threads here as far back as 2012 and came up with a lot of not so happy customers. Some had good things to say as well. Has anything with these companies changed for the better? It seems this is a more economical way to go rather then restore 45 year old vintage technology. Providing your not doing a perfect OE restoration. Anyone that has experience with either kit care to chime in? Thanks.

Put CAA on my '72 Charger that already had factory air. New hoses, compressor and drier and it was good to go for a charge and is cooling great. Installation was mostly easy. Little issue with the alternator belt alignment but CAA provided brackets that worked well.

I put a Classic Air upgrade system on my 70 Challenger. I Got the kit with everything except the evaporator. I used my old evaporator in the dash.
The instructions are terrible. But, If you call them they will help. I bugged them several times. I had no choice. I had nothing to go by since my old AC was long gone. The instructions have very little detail. Once you install the system, it all makes sense. But, a little more pics or details would help.
I had a problem with the compressor bracket not working. It has no slop in it for slight differences in water pumps etc. I have an older mopar performance water pump housing and it caused some issue I think. I ended up modifying the bracket.

I also have aluminum billet pulleys, different alternator bracket and a unisteer pump. So I was doing a lot of jocking around belts and pulley alignments to make it all work. That took me several days of measuring and trying different belt positions etc. to avoid something interfering with some belt etc. If it is not perfectly stock...Plan on spending some quality time with your pulleys and different belts.

They also sent me the wrong hose fitting, and the condenser bottom bracket did not reach the bottom rail. They sent me the new hose connection right away and a fix for the bottom bracket. still not sure why the E body condenser in their kit did not fit. maybe they sent me the wrong kit? I have no idea. But the hose connections to the condenser were spot on. The fix they sent for the bottom bracket I modified. I had a better idea. But together we solved the issue.

My system is working. Some installation issues where obviously self-induced with non-stock items. But sending me wrong stuff and stuff that does not fit, was disappointing. But they made it right in the end.

All good to know, thank you guys. If anyone has a full kit installed on their car, preferably a factory AC car, can I see your firewall using their block off plates where the hoses come through?

I put a full Classic system in my 69 RR that had factory air. I do not have pics but i did have to make a block-off panel for the firewall. At that time (maybe 7 years ago) Classic's kits were made for non-air cars. I was able to adapt their ductwork to the factory outlets. The main problem for me was the wiring diagram showed the connections for non-factory air. Once i figured out the wiring i was very pleased with their kit. If I remember correctly the blower motor protruded through the firewall, that hole would not be used in the Classic kit. Classic was very helpful and asked that i send them photos and list the problems I had from going from factory air to their kit, sorry to say i didn't do it.

I had Classic overhaul the factory in car part for a '70E. Looks good and works well after 10 years. Underhood was all new with Sanden compressor. I used a mix of Classic and Bouchillon parts. I liked Bouchillon's compressor mount and Classic's lines with formed aluminum hardlines + rubber. A few minor headaches using two different companies underhood stuff but it came out well.

I know there are pros and cons of using the original factory in car part. Not much cost difference counting re-build of the original vs all new. The original does have fresh air capability in AC, heat and defrost modes which I like.

We have installed both brands on 1969 B body air cars. Both kits work well. The vintage kit was a much neater, cleaner engine bay but I don't like their belt routing nor the length of belt for a/c and alternator. The classic kit had better instructs and the a/c is a third belt. Both kits seemed to have quality components. overall I think ccaa was easier install because of instructions and more organized and identified parts but neither is overly difficult for a mildly seasoned DIYer.

I have wondered what the cost difference was between getting the factory part overhauled versus using an aftermarket unit. It would have made the job even easier.