Classic Retro-no-fit AC install issue

[Showdown]

The hilarious pun notwithstanding, I have an issue with the installation of my CR AC system.

I have come to the point of installing the condenser and fan assembly in the left front fender and to be succinct; it won't fit.

I've tried to rotate, flip, twist and cajole it into place so that it fits and nothing I can do will make any difference.

I'm running a fiberglass R style bumper and there's just not enough room for the condenser without it protruding out from behind the fender.



This photo demonstrates the ABSOLUTE BEST I can get it to fit and even then, clearly it isn't. Not only is it visible, which I don't want, but it will interfere with the movement of the wheel which is a catastrophe waiting to happen.

After nearly 2 hours trying to Tetris it in I've given up and need some advice.

It seems that I'm going to have to run the condenser in the left rear fender/bumper area as it seems it will fit there. Of course this presents some other issues that need addressing:

1.) I clearly won't have enough hose so I'll have to buy more along with some splicers. Will the additional hose and splicers have an adverse effect on the system's performance?

2.) Will having the condenser an additional 8 feet further from the system have an adverse effect on the system?

3.) Would it be advised to purchase a smaller condenser and fan for the front fender and then run an additional one to the rear fender?

Also, any recommendations for where to buy hose/fittings/condensers would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[Ian Comerford]

Have you tried contacting Jonny for some tech support? He’s pretty good.

[targa80]

Can you show a picture of the inside of the wheel well with and without the condenser?

This is how mine installed with original bumper valence in my 80SC.

[Nditiz1]

Mine looks almost identical to Pat's. Here is a shot from underneath at the front. It is very close to making contact with the front valence.

[Duc Hunter]

I put mine in my 75 with an RS/IROC style front bumper. It does not stick out but its BARELY in there. I had to remove almost all of the front brake duct hole flanges from the bumper. Your bumper may not have enough room. I did have to fiddle and fiddle with mine, because of my bumper. I also do not have the stock bumper shocks in there, as I needed room.

As others have said talk to Jonny. He gave many of us great tech support. He is the one who answers their info email line. Don't do anything too drastic until you do. I am pretty sure he has had someone do your install with your front bumper. Also keep in mind some folks were putting them in the front of the rear fenders, because of space issue up front. I believe someone was even making a bracket for that setup (might be CR now). That should just mean some more lines (longer), and a bracket. Bottomline talk to him first.

[Showdown]

I spent the rest of the weekend researching and brainstorming and ultimately decided to put the condenser in front of the rear left wheel and add a second condenser behind the rear left wheel. I didn't like the condenser being so far away and having an effect on the system's performance and figured that I may as well just add a second one as that seems to be Jonny's recommendation for all systems now (based on some comments on the CR forums). Also, better to add it now than later...

Chicago isn't the south but when it's hot, it's brutally hot and muggy. It feels like Singapore off and on during the summer.

[Duc Hunter]

Showdown...why not put one in the from of each rear wheel well. Less stones etc thrown up into the from of the wheel wells by the tires......might make for mess damage? Just a thought.

With these barrier hoses I don't think there will be much loss with the added distance. If you're really worried you would insulate the cold line. Mine are going in the rear soon to take advantage of my rear fender vents, and I wont be insulating mine.

[Showdown]

That’s an interesting idea, I’ll have to get under the car to see how the lines would run. Either way, I’ll probably fabricate some sort of stone guard for the condensers given how fragile they are.

[Duc Hunter]

I would run them to one condenser, then out of the first, over to the second, and then from the second back to the evaporator. That is how I ran my 2 that are up front.

[Showdown]

Given that 10 days later there has been no shipping update on my order, I cancelled it.

I’ll run the single condenser and if I’m not satisfied I’ll roll my own solution for far less than the CR condenser.

There’s nothing. Special about condensers, particularly if it’s a second unit, just about anything will suffice and I can cross that bridge when/if I need to.

[Duc Hunter]

Well these are a 986/996 condenser. Sorry you had a bad experience. I have ordered a lot of stuff recently from the UK and Europe.....its been tough going at times.

[Nditiz1]

Hit me up if you want to know the 2nd condensor I used and the fan. I bought everything after my initial purchase due to not wanting to wait and the additional $400. I think i built my 2nd condensor for under $200.