I pulled a vacuum for 2 hours to evacuate the system, then installed the Duracool using a set of A/C gauges. Went pretty well. Of course, the older systems are so marginal that you need to make sure everything is 100%. Right now the system works better than it ever has in my 9 years of ownership, but I'm still interested in making it better. We lived in Florida when I bought it and now live in Virginia and A/C is a must if you want to enjoy the car year 'round. The next steps will include a Performance Aire under-belly static condensor, new drier-receiver, and new expansion valve. I'm also going to build a new variable-speed fan control and electronic thermostat for the cabin. I have the parts, just have had too many more important things on my plate for a while. Hopefully, I'll get it done before it gets too hot!

Fifth Keep the rear deck down or else you gonna pop a hose or condenser.

Keep us posted!

As long as we are talking AC ..will a compressor from a 93 RS America work in my 78 SC? The car is in for a major rebuild and I figure I would investigate upgrading the AC system. I need to add a front condenser and figure I should convert to R134A any thoughts on this? Would love to relocate the condenser from the rear deck too..oh, my cabin temps are whatever is outside plus 20 degrees!
Peace, Ron
www.mysterytrain.org

What is the make/model of the 93 RS compressor?

Don't bother with a front condenser...add the Performance Aire underbelly unit.

David914... I'm an a/c dummy. I've charged up a couple cars using the readily available R134, but I've never evacuated a system (vauum). Can you please explain this and the machine/tools you use? Thanks. This thread is inspiring me to tackle my a/c!

Question: How cold is my A/C?

Answer: About 1600 (dollars that is). I am waiting for the shop to finish the job: New ProCooler, New Behr Evaporator and Expansion Valve, 3 lbs of virgin R12, 2 cans of oil with dye, and of course labor. This baby better chill!
(p.s. next comes the at home project of a center vent)

$1600!!! Yikes, that seems like a lot. ProCooler is about $300. Evaporator and expansion valve about $400. 3lbs of R12 about $150. Oil about $10. How did they come up with $700+ in labor?

A/C? There are two inches of fresh snow on the grass in Denver.

With careful engineering and sufficient budget, a 911SC can have great A/C in Phoenix in July and not die from the heat.

What would I do?
Start with a white coupe and dramatically improve the insulation and sealing.
Five condensers with the coolest under the deck lid.
Two evaporators; one (larger than stock) in OE position and the other on the floor behind the driver’s seat.
Better air circulation for both condensers and evaporators.
Everything sized appropriately; compressor, hoses, etc.
Engine fan and oil coolers maxed out and insulate the fuel system.
Lots more subtle details.

I think it can work properly at 120F ambient and in traffic. Not unheard of in the SW.

Best,
Grady

Procooler-$300, Evaporator/Expansion $525, Virgin R12-$70/lb x3= $210 (actually it was a little more than 3 lbs)
Total Parts 1035 plus tax which is a stinkin 9.25% in TN
Labor is about $500 to find leak, install all parts, vacuum and recharge 2 times (first one for test and finding leak)
These guys charge top dollar but they do it right and you won't have crushed oil lines and grease stains on the interior when they are done.

Danskman,

It's not all that complicated, but you do need the proper tools. A good vacuum pump, pressure gauges, thermometer, and of course, your refridgerant of choice. The vacuum pump is a little pricey, but you can find decent ones for sale under $300. I opted to use Duracool due to the high cost of R-12 and the fact that "do-it-yourselfers" like me cannot purchase R-12 without jumping through some major hoops.

Basically, you need to evacuate the system, i.e. remove all refridgerant and moisture, then charge the system using the recommended amount of refridgerant and/or system pressures.

Like I said before, there is an expense to get the proper equipment to do the job correctly. What you have to decide is are you willing to invest in the equipment or is it more cost effective to pay someone else to do the work. I happen to be a bonified "tool junkie", so buying the equipment was not a difficult decision for me.

100 degrees today in Los Angeles
40 degrees at the vents inside my Targa.

I ain't complaining! :D

A/C????

Did Porsche actually have this available for real???:eek:

Scott B...The 93 RS compressor is a Denso 10PA15C factory part number 96412612102 I'm guessing I would need to modify the mounting plate. If this isn't the way to go then I'm all ears> What I would really like to have is a system works better then the York..it would be ideal if I could remove the condensor from the rear deck lid. Any thoughts?
Anyone have a link to Performance Aire?

Does anyone know of a good source of A/C diagrams? Does the bentley manual have good pics? I'd like to go in and change the o-rings, and I have no idea what the extent of the system is. Ideally, it would have an exploded diagram pointing me to the fittings.

Also, does ACKits.com have a set of rings for the system? Would they know what's necessary if I told them year, model, etc.?

Thanks again.

I replaced the Nippodenso with a Sanden rotary and R134 two years ago and the improvement in cooling and less loss of power is impressive. I have a red cab so it does get hot and challenge the system on the warm days we can have in Colorado, but for the most part it works well.

david914...

Can you please look at these vacuum pumps and let me know if they will be sufficient? First one is only $49.95.

http://www.ntxtools.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=01&Category_Co de=AC+Pumps

Thanks. :)

It is a common misconception that the Sanden is a rotary compressor. Take a look at their website...you'll see that it is a five-piston wobble plate compressor. Vertex advertises Sanden as a rotary, but it is not. The only true rotary, as far as I know, is the Seiko.

Mike: That looks like an expensive version of what Harbor Freight sells for about $20. Some people like them, others think they're a waste of money.

Jgordon: The sytstem is comprised of hoses with number 6, 8 and, I think, 10 size fittings. Your local a/c shop can probably sell you the O rings you need by the handful. I'd get 10 of each, at a minimum. They should only cost you pennies. Make sure you get the green ones.

Mysterytrain: That's a different number than the Denso that fits on the 84-89 3.2, but it's very similar (the only difference might be R12 v. R134). The first thing you'll have to do is find out if it has the same mounting dimensions as the 10P15C. If so, then I think there are brackets out there to adapt it to your engine. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

I had excellent luck with the Harbor Freight vacuum pump ~ $9.95, all you need is a compressor.

Mike,

You're on the right page, just look over the "$49.95 special". Unless you've got a really big-azz compressor and don't mind it running continuously for 2 hours, fugetaboutit. I got a Robinair 4 CFM model. I think it's the one they sell for $265. Works great. Another option would be to find somebody local that will lend or rent one to you.