Just woundering if anyone has removed the A-6 Compressor on a BBB 455 and found a way to install a lighter weight / smaller compressor ? Like a v-5 or R-4. If anyone can help some info and Pics or a web link would be great. I would still like to be able to use the Ram Air Cleaner and use the same compressor location. I have a reman R-4 that worked great on the car when I pulled the Olds 350 engine last year and a new V-5 still in the GM box. the A-6 front bracket will bolt right up to the V-5. I can tell there will be a problem with the belt line up though.
Richard,I have seen a 455 Buick using the Sanden compressor that is the aftermarket standard for Vintage Air,Southern Air,etc.The compressor is small and has all kind of finishes as well as accesories to use it on just about anything that one can think of. The guy with the car used a universal Sanden bracket welded to the original Buick piece after removing the front part of it,it really looked like a stock piece.The car was a GSX clone and the engine was very clean as well as the bay.The smaller AC components,neatly routed hoses and the flat firewall really opened up the room under the hood.I'm hoping to go that route on my '79 when the time comes.
There is a new replacement, lighter and more efficient: http://s6compressor.com/ http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/Art...r_the_gm_frigidareharrison_a6_compressor.aspx http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=181343 http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2175653
The price of the Pro6Ten seems to be coming down. They're about $345 now, down from $450-500. Here's another alternative that looks promising: http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/air-conditioning/gm-a-6-replacment-compressor-black-673.php It's based on a reliable Nippondenso design. Nearly identical to the Ford FS-10 (Not the FX-15 black death compressor) I'm thinking of trying one out on my daughters El Camino. That might be the same as the S6 in the link that 87GN_70GS provided. The V5 is a variable displacement compressor and would be tricky to get to work with your POA/TXV system. The R4 is a particularly bad choice to replace an A6. They're just not very reliable.
