Just an update for anyone interested. Got my Impala back with the new Vintage Air unit installed. Heat/AC works great, and install was straightforward but a lot of work. All looks good. Some info.
- We couldn't find the correct steel pulleys for my 396 so had to get some made from Billet Specialties. -- a little pricey but look very cool
- The new VA control unit looks almost identical to the stock unit but NO lights on it, so can't see it in the dark- would have been easy to stick an LED in there but they didn't.
- Blower works good but new system "whistles" at high speed, which is a little irritating, but I can live with it.
- Evap/Dryer unit went in great, but I noticed it does cut down air flow enough to make it run a little hotter. May need a bigger radiator come summer.
- Couldn't install the left side duct all the way over to the left since the convertible top button is there. I may try to move things around a bit to get it to look more symmetric.
- Overall cost was just under $5000 for all and had to wait about 4 months for parts to arrive.
Now just need to see how it works during the NC summer!