My AC (compressor, lines, etc...) has been out of my car for years. No need for it up here really. But, now I am wanting more room in my engine compartment so I have thought about ditching the "heater box".

I have always been under the impression that removing the entire unit will remove all heating capabilities from the interior....but at the same time, I know the heater core and blower are under the dash. BUT, someone that removed the heater box from his car told me that he still had heat. ??? That kinda threw me for a loop.

I need to retain the heat inside the car.....too many cold mornings up here in the north So I guess my question is: will removing the "heater box" allow me to have no heat, or should I just cut off the AC part (the part that protrudes into the engine compartment) and do the that way.

HOpefully that makes sense. I tried searching but came up with nothing.

Jason

 

If I remeber correctly you can not remove the box and leave the heater core in. When you remove the box you will have about a 1' X 1' hole in the firewall.

 

My roomate just did this to his 96 supercharged SS project (major project).

Basically, you want to remove the big black box. He had to tear most of the dash out to get to the bolts to bolt it out, as it is bolted from the inside. Once out, it does leave a hole.

From what he has discovered, you can't just make a plate to cover the hole, as it doesn't allow the heat to transfer from the heater core to the heat ducting.

What he is doing is having basically a metal block off plate made, but welding on a small box that allows the heat a path to transfer from the heater core. Shouldn't be all that hard to make from what I saw, and will save a lot of space over the black box.

If it wasn't for the fact I don't feel like tearing my dash apart to get the old box out, I'd be doing the same thing. Guess it would be a good time to pull that passenger airbag while you are at it.............

 

I beleive BMR makes a plate that is all pre-drilled and everything for this very purpose. I had one fabricated, but BMR would be an easy solution as well if one is available.

I don't see it on their site, but I think I heard of somebody local buying one for that purpose.

Drop an e-mail to black98ws6@aol.com , his name is Joe Borshke and he just had a hand in a pretty major build that also kept the heat functional. Tell him Nick D sent ya

 

Hey Jason,

 

Hey Jason,

I was in the same boat as you with wanting to keep my heat but getting rid of the heater box. I modified mine but cutting it down and gluing plastic flat pieces on it. This way I cleaned up the engine compartment and still kept my heat. There might be some pics in my sig.

Later
Matt

 

Thanks for the detailed info guys....I appreciate it! I am going to look into the BMR plate. I knew I would have to cover the hole, I was just unsure if I could retain the heat inside the car as some people have told me that you can and another told me that you could.

Looks like you can I guess

Thanks again
Jason

 

I ditched the box and kept the heater but when I turn the heater on, you can hear it work, but theres barely any heat coming out of the vents or defroster, it takes a good 20 minutes to heat the car up. Anyone know what my rpoblem is

 

Billingsley Racing makes one too..

Block off plate

 

How much weight will this save Jason?

 

But that plate is only good if you want to eliminate your heat.

 

I am not really doing it so much for weight. It will only remove about 10-15lbs (from what I am going to remove). I just want/need the extra room for my new headers.

Jason

 

Oh I see. Did you still need Rich's cell number? I just got your message since I dont have any phone service in Hornell.

 

If you are going to use the Billingsly piece, you will have to modify it to retain the heater. You will have to cut a hole it if for the lines going to the heater core, and provide and airpath from the blower to the heater core. In the stock configuration, the air is blown thru the black box.

 

This is true. I used sheetmetal and made by own(retaining the hoses coming out of the firewall) because I'm cheap.