3.1EyeCandy

iTrader: (3)

Looking online, the Spectra 7-3231 that everyone likes (and has become parallel flow) is unavailable everywhere. Spectra's website now says that it's for the Canadian market only, though I don't know if that is a recent change or just in error. As such, some vendors (like AutoZone) don't have a condenser available for our cars.

Question - if the Spectra 7-3231 continues to be unavailable for sale in the United States, what parallel flow condensers are available that will fit our cars? Any recommendations for similar sizes that require rerouting of lines or easy modification?

I'm not at the point where I need to get AC back in my car, so I can afford to wait and see if the Spectra comes back available. I've also sent an email to their "Contact Us" address. Figured it was worth exploring alternatives though as others may need the info sooner than I will.

3.1EyeCandy

iTrader: (3)

Here's the response I received from Spectra yesterday:So yeah. No more Spectra condensers for the US. You might check your local parts house and see if you can still get one before any existing stock runs out. The AutoZone website at least doesn't show them available anymore. From the Spectra website, other parts are also affected and only for the US market:

• Radiators
• Heater Cores
• Fuel Pumps & Strainers
• Blower Motors
• A/C Compressors
• Fuel Pump Accessories

Time to hunt another decent fitting condenser...

3rdgenzroc

I bought all my stuff from I believe it's now original air/vintage air about a year and a half ago? They have since combined and bought out the actual company I ordered from, but the last I talked to them, it was the same people down in Florida. They had kits in different "stages" made specifically for our vehicles-depending on what you needed. Form/fit/function was excellent on mine. I even had shipping damage on one part, but was treated great on getting it replaced! I haven't looked lately, but that had all the items to the cooling system available separately for purchase also. Try searching for an 82-92 Camaro or Firebird a/c stage (1,2, or 3) kit. Links should come up. They had them on ebay too. Surely they still have them.

blacksunshine'91

iTrader: (10)

Yes, it's Original Air now. I installed one of their Stage 3 kits last year. Great quality. I still have the original condenser that came out of my '91 GTA if anyone is looking for one. PM me if interested.

3.1EyeCandy

iTrader: (3)

Glad to hear Original Air worked for the two of you. There was another thread in 2020 where they were recommended and some folks had issues with fitment of the condenser and/or evap. I'll contact them. Thanks!

blacksunshine'91

iTrader: (10)

The only issue that I came across was the screw on the condenser that holds the bracket near where the hoses attach. The screw would hit the radiator when I tried to install it. I simply removed the screw and put a pop rivet in its place. Only took me a few minutes to correct.

The only other thing of mention was the large line that comes off the evaporator (where the accumulator attaches) was at a slight angle, not directly straight like the stock one. I asked Original air about it and they said it was probably moved during packing/shipping and that it was fine to adjust it back to straight. I didn't feel comfortable doing that so I just left it as is, the accumulator still connected and was able to be installed in the correct position. I noticed in pics of other's installation that it looked like they were made that way. It wasn't an issue for me but others might not like it. At the end of the day, my A/C blows nice and cool.

3.1EyeCandy

iTrader: (3)

For those willing to wait, try ordering the Spectra from Amazon. I noticed that they started showing that it would ship in June, so I ordered one. Low and behold it shipped and showed up on 5/1. Got it out of the box and it's still the parallel flow unit, same size as my old unit.