adding a/c to 79 SC
 

Hi everyone,

Newbie Alfa Romeo guy here.

I'm looking for an SC and I/ve found one locally that is a nice color. The only problem is that it has no a/c. The seller has lines/evaporators but not the pump or switches. What would be the work/costs involved in getting the a/c system setup ? BTW it's a euro car.

Thanks a lot

Dan Walker
Stevenson Ranch, CA
67 Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider
soon to be SCWDP agent ????

I he has all the lines, compressor, evaporator, fan, vents, and other misc. parts and you do it yourself then it will only cost you your time. But, chances are he only has half the parts and compressors are always questionable. If I had to guess I would say $1000 for a shop to install the whole setup if you gave them every part needed. My suggestion would be find a SC with A/C or learn to live without it.

Dan,
You should probably be preped to spend $2-3K to install a good working system on this car. You'll need to upgrade with some aftermarket parts to get consistently cold air. Things like rotary compressors and underbelly condensors are parts you'll want to consider. If you do a search on the forum, you'll find a lot of info on the topic. Welcome to the club.

it was the sept and oct of this year issues of excellence that had the skinny on adding AC to an older 911. not just AC but AC that actually worked. just confirmed that part two of two was in the october issue. you can back order past issues.

I've got the complete system from an 89 sitting in my garage, (Minus a few leaky hoses). I can't see the day I will be reinstalling it coming anytime soon. It's got to be better then the older one your dealing with. Let me know.

Performance Aire

Don't make the mistake of simply buying the entire AC setup someone else tore off their car. Just get the components you'll actually be using. Stock compressors and condensers, for example, were not really up to snuff, even when brand spankin' new, and running the expensive R12.

To the tune of $4-5, wasn't it?:(

I installed an R134a system on my 78SC that works fine.

Something expensive…You should get new hoses and there’s about 40 feet of them. An A/C shop can make them up, but you’re spending $500 to $700.

Something cheap…Get a used Sanden compressor from a wrecker. I got mine off a wrecked SAAB for $20. If you’re concerned, replace the seals before you install it.

Some things necessary…The deck lid condenser works fine (that’s all I have), but you need a pancake fan to circulate air through it. It’s not that easy to get it in because there is little space. Without it your into underbelly or fender condensers that will probably add $1k . Also, a high pressure condenser shutoff switch is a good idea (a generic ~350 psi is the one to use for R134a).

Maybe even more. The whole kit of parts was like $3000, and the author stated something like 30 hours to install.

Hey guys,

Thanks a lot. I'm sure that for all the expense I could find a car with operating stock a/c and upgrade it later on if need be.

Good advice from all, and if you know of a nice SC for sale in the so-cal area give me a holler.

Dan
newbie Alfa guy

I was at a small Porsche club event in raleigh and I was talking to a guy who had a honda ac rigged up in his euro SC. He said it was crazy cold but the tiny vent holes were the liability. I don't know about cost but he was happy with it.
that was a useless post huh?