L83 Swap 1988 Suburban - Stock AC Compressor

[gofast321]

Hi everyone. I'm working on a swap to drop a Gen V L83 and 8l90 in my 1988 Suburban. Engine and trans are in and I have enough frame rail room to use the stock AC compressor on the L83.

My question is... does any one have a part number for an adapter to use on the 2016 L83 AC compressor to convert it to standard fittings so I can connect to the 88 Suburban's AC lines?

Thanks!

[First c10]

I have a 70 c10 with a 2011 LC9 I was able to keep the stock compressor in the stock location. I did have to locate the stock blocks and adapt the ends since it was tight in the frame. stock ac blocks to the correct ac fitting ends I got from Napa.
Since my system was R12 I took my stock Denso compressor apart and cleaned with solvent to remove all the old pragoil and installed mineral oil and added r12 and the truck freezes you out. So if using the genV stock compressor make sure the Freon and oil is correct for your system. I am not sure if you have converted from R12 to R134a, but the Gen V stuff uses a different Freon I think. Sorry I have been out of the AC biz for a while. The gen V AC stuff I think is like R1234yf. Whatever it is make sure the oils are compatible or flush the whole system and use the oil that the Freon is compatible with. The compressor just needs lubrication and doesn't care which oil you are using.
I hope this helps!

[gofast321]

Thanks First C10, I appreciate the info. The 88 Suburban was already converted to r134 before I started the swap so I think I'm in good shape there. However I am going to flush the Suburban's lines and get a new dryer just to be safe.

However my biggest hurdle is just trying to find adapters to allow my Suburban AC lines to attach to the 2016 AC compressor. Similar to the item link below.


https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vta-045024?rrec=true

I just haven't found a good way to connect the Suburban AC lines to the compressor. Reading threads it looks like some folks have done it but I'm unclear how they did it and what hardware they used.

[First c10]

Yes if that block will work for you (It wouldn’t fit my location) then you can make custom hoses from this block to your original connection locations. Napa has the hose and ends and can make them for you. My Napa will crimp for free.
Is the l83 compressor r134a also? If it is you are golden.

Originally Posted by gofast321

Thanks First C10, I appreciate the info. The 88 Suburban was already converted to r134 before I started the swap so I think I'm in good shape there. However I am going to flush the Suburban's lines and get a new dryer just to be safe.

However my biggest hurdle is just trying to find adapters to allow my Suburban AC lines to attach to the 2016 AC compressor. Similar to the item link below.


https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vta-045024?rrec=true

I just haven't found a good way to connect the Suburban AC lines to the compressor. Reading threads it looks like some folks have done it but I'm unclear how they did it and what hardware they used.

[First c10]

I cut the blocks off a set of stock lines and bought the bare end fitting from Napa and tig welder then to make my own custom block to fitting adapters.

[v30crewcab]

coldhose.com

https://coldhose.com/specialty-fitti...-adapters.html

[gofast321]

Thanks for the coldhose suggestion. I was looking at their site earlier in the week. I might try giving them a call.

I'm also considering taking the 2016 lines and 1988 lines to a radiator shop here in Pittsburgh to see if they can marry them together for me.

[v30crewcab]

I don't know why their link isn't in the faq. I have used their stuff on several conversions, it always works great.

[First c10]

When I made my adapters they look something like this to clear my frame.
https://coldhose.com/catalog/product...g/category/39/

[gofast321]

Thanks for all of the great info guys. I'm going to try giving coldhose a call this week. I'll post some pics of my final solution.


Thanks!

[gofast321]

Hi all. I stumbled across this and wanted to capture it in this thread. Looks like coldhose.com offers a compressor block with the correct dimensions to fit the stock Denso 7SAS17 compressors that comes on the GEN V L83 engines.

https://coldhose.com/gm-ls1-style-ho...lock-1753.html

It shows that its for Corvette LS2/LS3 but the dimensions seem correct. I'm going to order one this week and I'll let you know how it fits.

[gofast321]

Sorry I'm late to update this thread but this part does sucessfully fit the Denso 7SAS17 compressors so that you can use aftermarket AC hoses with your GEN V swaps.

[87chevy.com]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=164

is what I did, removed the old tube carefully with a propane torch. mocked up scrap bends till i was satisfied and took it to the hydraulic shop that can braze it back on with some male insert o-ring ends. for the discharge line, little one, I just twisted it till sensor was vertical to clear.

clint

[gofast321]

Thanks for the info Clint. I think I'm going to have to do something similar. Even with some trimming of the frame there's no way that the compressor will fit with the adapter block. The distance between the compressor and the frame is a lot closer than I thought plus the way the compressor is clocked points the hose mount location right at the frame.

[87chevy.com]

I designed these adapters, but no one seemed to use the stock compressor which works just fine
Mimics stock setup but for the c10 frame



Never went onto production fit was spot on! Other pictures of it installed in my build thread

[gofast321]

Clint, those adapters look awesome! That is exactly what I want to do. I can't believe there wasn't more interest in those. There seems to be a lot of misinformation about using the stock compressors since they are variable and that might scare some people away from using them.

Any chance you made more than one set? I'd love to buy a set from you if you have any spares.


Thanks,
Chad

[87chevy.com]

these were just 3d printed to make sure fitment was correct. at the time these didn't get any interested in gen5 swaps.
I wound up using the stock a/c compressor hoses and had the suction, big one, redone.
the variable part of the compressor can be disabled by just giving the solenoid power/ground just like the clutch and it works like a non variable compressor.

Ill send the drawing files to the machine shop to see what they say.
clint

[87chevy.com]

Got the a set back from the machinist.. absolute work of art!



low side (bigger adapter) points upwards about 90º to the frame for most clearance. Manifolds in the pictures are camaro manifolds.... fit like a champ in my current project, BMW x5 gen5 swap.





I still cant find what hose the factory uses on the Low side, its reduced barrier 12 I believe, but the info on the hose I had on my swap, forwarded it to the manufacturer, Parker, and they couldn't help out.. but its long enough for a 73-87 swap and very flexible... minimal strain! .. so if someone snags the low side hose, its worth it if you can get it cheap