Who has the highest QUALITY heater?

[Tommy Davis]

Can you point me in the right direction? I would prefer one mounted behind the firewall.
Thanks, td

[bill32]

I don't know about quality. The various ones I have seen appear to be OEM quality. The Tristates Compact one is what I picked. You do have to cut a hole through the firewall to extend the box about 1 1/2" into the engine compartment, but most of it is behind the dash. And, it takes all its air from the cockpit, not the engine compartment like the FFR one. It is an easy install, water hose connections are in the engine compartment, not behind dash so it makes easier hookup. It also will not interfere with wiper motor install if you get one of those. It has popout connection holes if you want to install hoses to feed footboxes or defrosters. Tristates has a good price for kit.

[StephenP]

I have a vinatage air unit that I plan to install. The quality of the product is good. I don't have all the details worked out, but I am looking at a box on top of the passenger foot box for the heater.

It will be clean looking, use fresh air from the vent system as an option, or intake from the passenger foot area. Demister, to the windscreen, and a plenum run to the driver side for heat. Still in the thinking about it stage.

[img]graemlins/green.gif[/img]

[Bob Lennon]

I run the vintage air. Works great. Seems even a bit over-engineered. I like simple.
Fits under the dash, but just barely.

[John F]

I have the Vintage unit and my wife says it gets too hot on the passenger side. The drivers side gets nice and toasty. This morning it was 42 F on the way to work and I was cold from the shoulders up, because I only had a thin pullover on. Can't do without them up here.

[Tabland]

TommyD you can install the Tristates Heater completely behind the firewall with a little cutting on the actual unit. Keith did this mod and has pics..I also did what he suggested and mine is completely hidden. Maybe Keith will get wind of this thread and post some pics for ya.

T

[DrewFFRCobra]

T-

I've got the same heater install as you and Keith. Did you just cut 2 holes (~1") through the firewall for the heater tubes and then just clamp the heater hoses directly to the heater's tubes (i.e., no fancy firewall connectors)?

Drew
FFR#3928

[LT1FFR]

I used a set of SS braided 3/4 5/8 heater hosed with the mock AN fittings.



For assembly pics you can go here for the "how to" photos:
http://members7.clubphoto.com/brian5...05/guest.phtml

As far as how much heat it's possible of... my "blood like water wife" doesn't have complaints...

[1686]

We love our Vintage Air! We actually took a ride this evening, and it would not have been pleasant without heat! We had the top up without side windows (Rick Young folding soft top), and it was very enjoyable inside the car, but if you put your hand out you could feel how cold we would have been. The heater is the Vintage Air "Compact" model, and it is perfect for a car this size. Even with the top down it is nice to have the heat to just take the chill off this time of year. I did some reworking to get it to fit completely behind the dash, but as my wife said just this evening, "That heater was the best money we spent on this entire build!"

[Tabland]

I hate to admit it Drew but I havent even run my hoses as of yet. Still in the go-cart stage, and when I got CobraEarls Footbox kit in I went straight to work on that. So now I have 2 projects I need to finish up before the Stereo comes in.

T