installing AC after ls swap 76 K-10

[roundhouse]

got the swap done and driving,
5.3 from 2002 pickup with NV3500 5 speed from 07 silverado

have the factory ac stuff bolted into the firewall
had to remove the AC compressor to clear the frame.

have some questions I cant find a consistent answer to

what condenser to use?
stock 76? something else?

what AC compressor and mount?
the one that came on '02 LS engine?
something else?

hoses?

I actually have a vacuum pump to vac the system when its installed.

[michael bustamante]

from what ive read its easiest to use the dd compressor relocation brackets.

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by roundhouse

have some questions I cant find a consistent answer to

With the number of variables in the trucks, engines, and aftermarket parts...there really ISN'T a consistent answer to some of these questions. I'm seeing it a bit more often now, that so much info has been plainly broken down and the number of "hard" problems has been reduced.

Don't take it the wrong way, but the questions posted were basically everything about an a/c setup.

When that happens, you've gotta go past the simple "question and answer" research method and approach it from a more scientific approach. Its also the time when I encourage the OP to be the one to find the answer, and bring it to the community.

If you aren't finding the info you want, change the way you look for it. A mix of the "search this forum" tool and the main site search up top resulted in 7+ pages of topics directly pertaining to the things you've asked.

[Andy4639]

installing AC after ls swap 76 K-10
got the swap done and driving,
5.3 from 2002 pickup with NV3500 5 speed from 07 silverado

have the factory ac stuff bolted into the firewall
had to remove the AC compressor to clear the frame.

If you have everything call Orignal air group and have them give you the parts you need to upgrade. They will know what to tell you. If you going to 134 a that is. If not use what you have.

have some questions I cant find a consistent answer to

what condenser to use?
stock 76? something else?

That depends on if you use R12 are 134 a

what AC compressor and mount?
the one that came on '02 LS engine?
something else?

Use it if you think its good.

hoses?

Again O/A group can send you the hoses and fittings.

I actually have a vacuum pump to vac the system when its installed.

Hope this helps you.

[Nodnarb76]

I went with the Dirty Dingo compressor bracket and Saden 508 compressor.
Had to have some custom A/C lines made cost about $170.
Used stock condenser, evaporator etc. just replaced the accumulator and office tube at the same time. Just check which alternator you have when you buy your serpentine belt. Large and small case alternators used different size belts with the Dirty Dingo setup.

[Nodnarb76]

Here is a pic installed in my truck.
Note if your going to use the 3 piece engine covers, you will need to trim some plastic off the pass side cover to clear the compressor.

[JMac11]

Replacement 91 Suburban Condenser should be parrallel flow and a bolt in. I put one in my 72, took a little modifications for that application.

Will the stock compressor not fit at all?

[foamypirate]

Originally Posted by JMac11

Replacement 91 Suburban Condenser should be parrallel flow and a bolt in. I put one in my 72, took a little modifications for that application.

Will the stock compressor not fit at all?

The stock LS truck compressor will fit, but there aren't a lot of options for compressor outlet blocks, and you need to clearance the frame for the lines down by the compressor. Being in front of the suspension crossmember, there is not a lot of load, from what I understand, so the clearancing is OK and won't hurt anything. If I had to do it over again, I'd get a top mount A/C bracket. There are some downsides to the low mount compressors, even in the factory applications (slugging the compressor with liquid refrigerant, jumping tensioner pulleys for the A/C belt, etc.)

I've since had to clearance a bit more to account for engine movement.

[Andy4639]

I put a LS1 bracket on my 6.0. No problems at all for 3 years.

[roundhouse]

Originally Posted by Nodnarb76

I went with the Dirty Dingo compressor bracket and Saden 508 compressor.
Had to have some custom A/C lines made cost about $170.
Used stock condenser, evaporator etc. just replaced the accumulator and office tube at the same time. Just check which alternator you have when you buy your serpentine belt. Large and small case alternators used different size belts with the Dirty Dingo setup.

just for clarification
the Sanden 508 is not the compressor that comes stock on the 5.3?

I have to buy that aftermarket like from Dirty Dingo?

what hose fittings will I need for the 508?

DD website is severely lacking in that kind of info

[Nodnarb76]

Originally Posted by roundhouse

just for clarification
the Sanden 508 is not the compressor that comes stock on the 5.3?

I have to buy that aftermarket?

Correct

[roundhouse]

Originally Posted by Nodnarb76

Correct

gotcha

we will be using 134

I have a few cans of 12 left but no need to use em on a system thats been opened and needs new hoses