Air Conditioning, should I remove it?

[JohnD211]

On my recently acquired 911 SC Targa the AC no longer works. The compressor has been non-operational for over a decade. The big condenser looks to be in really bad shape too.

I will probably replace the entire system someday with something more effective / modern, but until then is there any harm in just removing the heavy bits that aren’t doing anything? Anything I should watch out for or a reason to leave the bits as they are!

Regards,
John

[sigchuck]

My car had semi-upgraded AC when I bought it. Depending on what solution you go with if you upgrade it, you may want have as much of the old stuff in place as is possible to better visualize installation of the new stuff, make sure hardware doesn't get lost, etc. It is a pretty simple system but there are a lot of small parts and brackets. It's also very easy to make your own hoses if you buy or borrow the right tool, so that job would probably be easier if you had the old lines. As you probably know, they also are run from the front to the back and there are several hoses with the fittings clocked at particular angels, so again, it may be easier to upgrade things one piece at a time when you get a new kit vs. trying to do it based off of instructions or memory.

The system is pretty self contained, so if none of that bothers you, I wouldn't see the harm in doing away with it.

[SpyderMike]

I removed mine and sold off some of the bits ... then I had to buy one part years lated when I did my hybrid electric AC system. The only part I could have reused was the evaporator box. Everything else in my new system is new and relocated to redistribute weight and reduce hose run lengths. So, I would recommend removing and storing the parts.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I removed everything AC in my 84 and was happy to do it, no regrets. Box and label things well for future sale or installation.

[Nick Triesch]

Don’t remove it. Come selling time which will happen, a buyer may want a complete car. Why remove it ? , your car will still be not as fast as a new Honda CRV!!

[pmax]

The salient point of driving a targa is to embrace the elements.

Even at "high speeds", the lack of turbulence and excessive conversation drowning noise is remarkable. And at "higher speeds", the air flow forms nice currents around the cabin.

[emac911]

Bite the bullet, replace the system and enjoy cold AC!

[Funracer]

Stripped out all my AC bits. Only person sad about that is my wife. No AC is a no go for her.

Perhaps something to consider.

[911MANN]

Well, you are seeing the different precincts chime in......... I have had my '83SC since 1988, and I wouldn't like it without AC. Here are the things to think about:

1. Are you in a normally cool and dry climate? The ventilation in these cars is not good. I live in Central Florida, which means 2 things: Temperatures are hot; Air is humid all year round. I use AC to clear up the fogging in Summer rains and in Winter humid nights. Sometimes I use both Heat and AC to dry the cabin and inside window surfaces. I cannot see through the glass without it.

2. Is this car in nice condition? If so, keep it nice and keep the AC, replacing/upgrading to Griffiths parts as you can. If not in particularly nice condition, this would be less important to me.

3. Is this purely a toy that you can drive only on nice days? If you need this car for work when your daily driver goes in for repairs, AC is a good idea because of item 1 above, and sweating in work clothes while driving to a meeting isn't as sexy as it sounds.

4. Is your vision of this car more of a reasonably good factory representation, or more of an outlaw or hotrod? Proceed accordingly.

Hope this helps. My experience talking here.

[plexiform]

Mine doesn't have heat or AC and it still serves my purpose. Make your car however you want and enjoy it as often as possible. Having said that, if I didn't live in the central coast of CA where temps are rarely hot enough to justify AC and our homes don't even have AC and cold usually means just wear a jacket or sweater, I may have a very different attitude. If I still lived in the midwest, I'd keep the AC and heat.

[JohnD211]

Well, I've decided that it's going to go....partially. I'm just going to remove the compressor and the rear condenser for now and plug the hoses. Looking at future work that I need to do, it'll be nice to not have that big block of non-functional steel in the way.

On truly hot days I have other transportation choices. But if it gets too annoying, future me will need to solve the problem with dollars.

Thanks for the thoughts and feedback

[smadsen]

I removed mine 20 years ago but left most of the hoses in place with the associated bracketry so if someone wanted to upgrade, there would be a road map for all the new barrier hoses. I live in so. Cal and haven't missed it.

[FA-18C]

John - that is exactly the status I chose. I am so glad to have the compressor and bracket out of the engine bay, and cannot see putting that back. Probably a year or so away from making a decision on path forward, but leaning towards a new Keuhl belly condenser, new condenser in the front left fender, and the electric AC install. This is not a daily, and I think that system will be fine for the occasional hot weather drive. The time will also allow for anymore improvements to the solution set available. I have every component from the car as delivered in boxes for some future owner, but suspect at some point it will not be of interest or value.

[jac1976]

Remove, label and store. I’m in Central Texas with an AC-free 77S and survived the summer daily driving the car. It’s doable.

[PeteKz]

With the Classic Retrofit electric AC system now available, why bother with the old engine-compressor system with its miles of hoses and multiple condensers? If I ever decide to put AC in my car, that's the way I will go.

[ccallana]

The cost of the electric system is keeping me away from it.... When you include the new alternator, it ends up almost 2x an upgraded traditional system.... Thats a lot of coin

I'm considering adding 1 or 2 condensers in the rear wheel and using classic retro's fan/evap unit as hybrid setup ...

[Snitzler]

My a/c was beyond hope. The hoses leaked, compressor was seized and the condensor had a leak. Removed everything, hoses and all. Engine bay looks great and the car is about 54 lbs lighter.

[eflight]

Originally Posted by ccallana

The cost of the electric system is keeping me away from it.... When you include the new alternator, it ends up almost 2x an upgraded traditional system.... Thats a lot of coin

I'm considering adding 1 or 2 condensers in the rear wheel and using classic retro's fan/evap unit as hybrid setup ...

You will also need new hoses as the old hoses will leak anything other than R12

[ccallana]

Originally Posted by eflight

You will also need new hoses as the old hoses will leak anything other than R12

Yeah... basically looking to do a partial Griffiths/CR update -
-new hoses
-new front condenser
-add rear wheel condensers
-new CR fan cooler
-updated/refreshed compressor (its fairly new)
-convert to 134
-Bow tie/vent upgrade

Saves several thousand over a full electric build...

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by ccallana

Yeah... basically looking to do a partial Griffiths/CR update -
-new hoses
-new front condenser
-add rear wheel condensers
-new CR fan cooler
-updated/refreshed compressor (its fairly new)
-convert to 134
-Bow tie/vent upgrade

Saves several thousand over a full electric build...

I did the full "Mr. Ice" upgrade with all Griffiths products. I drive my 911 in HOT weather.
I have driven it to 41 states and Canada. In 2003 I drove to Palm Springs, CA and it was 107 degrees, as I was going due west into the afternoon sun. My dashboard was so hot I could not hold my hand on it. My system was blowing 37 degree air all over me and keeping me cool, and on the verge of thinking of turning the temp up. I arrived at the hotel and the 107 degree air was a real gut punch.

I do not believe the electric AC can handle really hot weather. My Griffiths system has four condensers, the hurricane blower, and variable speed blower controller and the temp controller has the LED lights to show me the compressor cycling.

I installed my system in 2008, and I have driven it over 60,000 miles since then. To Key West, Savannah, GA in August, Alamogordo, NM in June and many Oklahoma days in 100 degrees or more. My wife is happy to ride with me as the AC simply works in any heat.

The only part that has failed is the Nippondenso compressor. It was replaced with a new Nippondenso compressor, as it just bolts into place.

That is my experience. I have no first hand knowledge of the electric AC system, but I doubt it can handle the extreme heat. If you live where it does not get hot, and never make cross country drives like I do, the electric system may well work for you.