Heater Units & Air-Con
Heater Units & Air-Con
Author
Discussion

De Tomaso

Original Poster:

79 posts

49 months

Saturday 6th December 2025
quotequote all
I seems to remember the design is beyond useless.

Has anyone fitted an aftermarket unit with or without A/C?

I'm also looking for a A/C Compressor and or mounting bracket if anyone has one lying around.


Wedg1e

27,002 posts

286 months

Tuesday 9th December 2025
quotequote all
I seem to recall seeing an assortment of heater/ aircon units in the Car Builder Solutions catalogue, might be worth a peruse if you haven't already seen it?

It used to be available as a download but now they want to mine your data... wink

https://www.carbuilder.com/pages/catalogue-request

mrzigazaga

18,740 posts

186 months

Wednesday 10th December 2025
quotequote all
No doubt you will need a "special" TVR bracket...yikes

De Tomaso

Original Poster:

79 posts

49 months

Saturday 13th December 2025
quotequote all
Yes, there's a bunch via a Google search. https://tinyurl.com/abnv6x7k Just a case I would think of find one with decent heat output with powerful fans and the correct number of outlets.

How many outlets on a Wedge, two for the screen, two for the face and two for the floor?


Wedg1e

27,002 posts

286 months

Sunday 14th December 2025
quotequote all
As you might expect with the Wedges, there was a variety of 'solutions' to the heater over the years.
The early Tasmins, with the row of vents on the bonnet just below the screen, had a fresh air intake to the heater box that was sealed to the underside of the closed bonnet with a foam gasket (of sorts) so it drew air through the bonnet.
Later cars without those vents sometimes, but not always, had the intake opening cut out of the heater box and then 'finished' with a mesh grille, but in effect it drew 'fresh' air from within the engine bay.
Others were left without the intake opened, so the best it could do was recirculate whatever was already in the cabin (on a Merlin kit car I built with my old man in '82 we did exactly the same thing; of course it helps the cabin warm up quicker).
So you might argue that the face level vents are of minimum benefit unless you can find a way to pipe cool air in as well, leaving just screen and footwells.


De Tomaso

Original Poster:

79 posts

49 months

Friday 2nd January
quotequote all
I've just fired off a mail to CBS to ask what they can suggest. I asked also if they have any heater units with servo control of flow and hot/cold blend. I'm only really interested in demist + cabin and not bothered about face vents.

Lets see what they come back with.

De Tomaso

Original Poster:

79 posts

49 months

Friday 2nd January
quotequote all
All the heater units on the CBS site are it seems justsimple on/off type units with only a speed controller for the fan.

So, that's the end of that, for now.

Does anyone here know if the later Chim or Griff heater units were a better design?

andrew_r

246 posts

126 months

Friday 2nd January
quotequote all
I’m currently retrofitting air con in to my Chimaera and using a Sirocco unit available on T7 Design. You might find something suitable on there:

https://www.t7design.co.uk/brands-pages/siroco.htm...

Andrew

De Tomaso

Original Poster:

79 posts

49 months

Saturday 3rd January
quotequote all
Hi Andrew,

I'd not come across that site before. They do look like they carry the same or similar product range to that of CBS: https://www.carbuilder.com/collections/heating-and...

So, you're planning an add-on AC unit to the existing heater unit?

One question, how efficient is your standard heater unit at demisting as well as heating the car on a cold frosty morning? I was considering adding AC but right at this moment a good heater unit is all that's required. On the Chim, is there one or two cold air inlets?

Phil

andrew_r

246 posts

126 months

Saturday 3rd January
quotequote all
Hi Phil,

I’m actually removing the heater all together, as I only ever use the car in the spring and summer so the heater is never used. Most of the mileage I do is for holidays in France or Italy, and each time I’ve missed having air con as it gets very hot inside.

All the best with your project

Andrew


De Tomaso

Original Poster:

79 posts

49 months

Saturday 3rd January
quotequote all
I'd be interested in dimensions plus a few images of air inlet and outlets to compare with my SEAC unit.

Thanks.

andrew_r

246 posts

126 months

Saturday 3rd January
quotequote all
I’ve started a thread showing my project’s progress, I’ll be resuming work when the weather warms up a little as it’s no fun working in the garage with no heating!

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Andrew

mrzigazaga

18,740 posts

186 months

Saturday 3rd January
quotequote all
My plan was to upgrade the motor itself and seal up the existing unit and replace hoses, not sure from what the originals were taken from?..the motors from classic around the same era range from £50-60...just a thought

SEvans

1,178 posts

288 months

Saturday 3rd January
quotequote all
Just a thought after watching a Wheeler Dealer episode the other day.....

AI....Wheeler Dealers fitted a heated windscreen to a Porsche 911 SC in a Series 18 episode (2023), showcasing its manufacturing by Tyneside Safety Glass to make it a usable daily driver; it was a key upgrade costing around £360 including fitting, adding value and practicality to the classic sports car.

Seemed like a good upgrade to me and the heating becomes less critcal.

Cheers Steve

mrzigazaga

18,740 posts

186 months

Saturday 3rd January
quotequote all
There does seem to be compact air con units out there as well as a compact heater units with heat flap...smile
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192546518519
As suggested T7design is worth a looksie...smile
https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&pf=1&ai=D...

De Tomaso

Original Poster:

79 posts

49 months

Sunday 4th January
quotequote all
Hi Andrew,

Just read through your thread. Very interesting and fairly involved but I am sure the outcome will be better than the stock TVR AC for sure.

Will follow your journey.

Tnx

Phil

De Tomaso

Original Poster:

79 posts

49 months

Sunday 4th January
quotequote all
Steve,

Speak to Glassman. When he fitted a replacement screen in my Tiv many years back he happen to mention that I think Pilkington's offered a wedge screen with built-in heating elements!

I've never seen one and it's been a while so may or may not still be available should you be interested.

Phil

Grady

1,230 posts

281 months

Sunday 11th January
quotequote all
Back on A/C for a moment, you might want to look at Vintage Air https://vintageair.com/. I think the smaller universal will fit (but I haven't pulled the trigger).