ideas on replacing AIR pump with Air compressor for bags?????

[Speach]

I have thought about the possibilities of doing this and figure that there has to be someone out there who has already done it. What compressor could work? Any thoughts out there?

[feeser32500]

i have seen it done on off road trucks to run air tools. it can be done. i know they used a A/C compressor from a 70s jeep grand cherokee hooked to a toggle swich yhen you just need the rite fittings  a regulater and tank   

[pdxmose]

Those are the York AC compressors.  They can be easily converted to keep the case lubricant separate from the refrigerant.  That's not the case with most modern AC units.  I installed one on my Riviera for the airbags.  They pump a LOT of air relative to an electic pump.  Problem is that they are quite large and must be kept mostly vertical.  I shoehorned it in where the PS pump was an relocated the PS pump down lower about where an AIR pump would be.

On my '66 429, I don't think there's enough room where the air pump was since the pump was rather small and compact.  Surely not enough room for a York.  I'm still debating what to to on mine for air.

                ...mose

[Speach]

Thanks guys Yea I was reading about the yorks. I was mesmerized by mr gadget guru geneous and his 65conv. I saw a youtube where he's got a york running up high. It looks good. I also found a smaller driveline compressor on airbagit.com Its 100 bucks and should surely fit. I think relocating my alternator in the spot of the air pump and putting a compressor in the spot of the alternator. Man I love those boat tail rivieras. So the set up works well huh?

[3onthetree]

I think I might be the "mr gadget guru" about my covertible, and that is a great compliment.   I will say one thing, I have bagged many many cars and trucks in my days, and bought alot of different parts, I would stay away from anything from airbagit.com, I have not had any luck with their parts.  I have not seen what you are looking at from them, but it is worth spending the extra dough on some other parts.  For compressors, you cant go wrong with Viair, or Air Zenith (super expensive), but worth waiting and getting good parts.  A wise man once said, The bitterness of poor quality far outlasts the sweetness of a good deal.  I will go check it out and see what they have for 100 bucks.

[feeser32500]

just curieus what is it you dont like about airbagit i am curently looking for an air bag    kit for my 56 coup deville 2 door hard top  and really have no idea wich on to get any sugestions? 

[STDog]

I will go check it out and see what they have for 100 bucks.

This is all I see
http://www.airbagit.com/product-p/com-driveline.htm
No info on the product page.
Note: "Compressor Can Never Be Returned"
Doesn't inspire confidence. 

On this page http://www.airbagit.com/v/vspfiles/pages/AirCompressor_PAGE.html
It says 4CFM, but at what speed? What duty cycle?

[3onthetree]

In my humble opinion, the parts are not built well.  And the parts you put on there are replacing your suspension, pretty important to me.  Air Ride Technologies has nice stuff, expensive, but worth it.  I usually buy Slam Specialties air bags, and build the brackets myself.  I have used Vialr compressors, and Air Zenith, both are great.  Air Zenith are pretty spendy.  You could check out Air Assisted also, I have heard that they are good to deal with, and sell nice parts.  I am not sure if I have ever seen a kit for that car, you might have to do some bracket work yourself on that one.  Pretty easy to do with minor welding skills.


quote author=feeser32500 link=topic=7192.msg82891#msg82891 date=1319237421]
just curieus what is it you dont like about airbagit i am curently looking for an air bag    kit for my 56 coup deville 2 door hard top  and really have no idea wich on to get any sugestions? 
[/quote]

[STDog]

kit for my 56 coup deville 2 door hard top  and really have no idea wich on to get any sugestions? 

Air Ride Technologies makes kits based on the ShockWave for '56 Cadillacs. (56-70 actually)
http://www.ridetech.com/store/suspension-systems/shockwaves/1956-cadillac-shockwave.html
http://www.ridetech.com/store/suspension-systems/shockwaves/1956-cadillac-shockwave-front-system-master-series-single-adjustable.html
http://www.ridetech.com/store/suspension-systems/shockwaves/1956-cadillac-shockwave-front-system-master-series-double-adjustable.html
http://www.ridetech.com/store/suspension-systems/shockwaves/1956-cadillac-shockwave-front-system-select-series.html
http://www.ridetech.com/store/suspension-systems/shockwaves/1956-cadillac-shockwave-front-system-master-series-triple-adjustable.html

No kits for the rear, but I'm sure there's a ShockWave 8000 that could be made fit.
http://www.ridetech.com/store/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=1944

[Speach]

Yea that blue compressor was the one I was talking about. I liked it because of the size. I am leary about airbagit too. There seems to be a lot of controversy about them and they have a hard time spelling words correctly in there advertisements. Doing a york beltdriven is what its all about, I am thinking. Thanks for all of the informed info and thoughts.

[feeser32500]

thanks for th would rather make them  info. I was pretty sure noone made brackets and thats not a problem I would rather make them myself anyway. that way i know what i got. so looking at what is out ther i think i am going with slam specielties for all the compoenents. thanks again   

[STDog]

thanks for th would rather make them  info. I was pretty sure noone made brackets

The Ride Tech parts are almost bolt-in for the front, just have to just the spring seat a bit.
The ShockWave replaces the spring and shock with a single unit. No brackets needed.

The rear is where it gets harder because of the amount of travel needed.

[keeper]

I used a stock AC Compressor. My '64 was not an AC car so I bought the stock AC brackets and AC Compressor and hooked it up to the air bag system. I have two tanks in the back and the compressor easily gets the tanks all the way to 200 psi, and the best part is that is is almost silent as opposed to the real loud electrical compressors.

[INTMD8]

FWIW I would personally stay away from shockwaves for the front of a heavy car.

The strongest one is capable of 2140lbs of force at 100psi.

As a comparison, a standard double convoluted bag is 3150-3400lbs at 100psi depending on the model.

This means a shockwave will need a LOT of air pressure to achieve ride height. 

A standard bag with divorced shock will ride much better.

[STDog]

The strongest one is capable of 2140lbs of force at 100psi.
As a comparison, a standard double convoluted bag is 3150-3400lbs at 100psi depending on the model.

Just how heavy do you think the car is?

Most passenger car tires are rated for 1940lbs @ 32PSI and 2028lbs @ 35PSI.