Griffith's fender condenser dimensions

[Dennis Kalma]

Here are some pix of the trial fitting.

Note the pin (stock C2) that will go into the bottom of the headlight bucket. There is a chubby rubber condom that fits over the pin to provide vibration isolation


Couple of other views of the fit

[brcorp]

Looks good! More pictures of the condenser/fan assy, more light would also help.

[Dennis Kalma]

Just after I took the pictures posted, I fitted the scrap front valence and bumper on the car to check how it would do...well, to make a long story short, it won't fit the way I had hoped. Basically when I put the condenser far enough back to clear the valence, there isn't enough clearance between the condenser and the front tire. Drat.....

I will have to rotate the condenser back to the way that Porsche had it set up in the C2, namely long side vertical. It will end up hanging a bit lower than the valence, but will clear the tire without problems.

Dennis

[CBRacerX]

Stock valence or ???

[Dennis Kalma]

Yes, this is stock valence. I am even more concerned as the intention is to fit the Carrera valence with the built in fog lights and they **appear** to be in the wrong place. Maybe it is time to look at a Ruf Yellow Bird nose, maybe with the A/C condenser where the oil cooler goes? Anyone ever done that before? Seems nuts.

I don't like the Ruf nose on a practicality front as I need something that can go through deep snow when required, one of the wife's dream vacations is to travel to Tofino (west coast, Vancouver Island) and spend a month watching the winter storms.....

Sigh

Dennis

[scottb]

Dennis:

Before you get into new hoses, do some research. Others have successfully fit the C2 condenser without the surgery you're contemplating.

Scott

[Dennis Kalma]

Finally got that front fender off, man, did Porsche ever use a lot of spray on chip guard, sealants and related goo on those cars. Good news is that there is absolutely no rust at all, bad news is it took me better part of a day to take the wretched thing off.



Now after admiring the problem for a while, it is clear that the condenser will fit without modification, but it looks like it would be tight and not have much room for air flow. Right now, I am thinking that I will cut the battery bulge off of the car, starting just aft of the bumper shock absorber and continuing up to the wheel well. Cut will essentially result in a flat piece and will allow the condenser to sit more parallel to the car centre axis and in turn will allow better air flow.

Panel looks easy to fabricate, welding is always a bit of a pain, but since it is out of sight, durability can triumph over appearance.

Any comments before I break out the cut off tools and get slicing?

Dennis

[niner11]

Nice work so far. I have been talking about it and buying components but you've made the most documented progress that I have seen. In that position (the picture) will the fender go back on without cutting up part of the headlight bucket?

I plan on mounting my 964 condensor at a slight angle without using the factory mounting enclosure. I think that will allow more heat to dissipate and give me a little more space. Any chance that you can run a modified NACA vent near or behind the bumper to feed air in the general area of the condensor?

I have thought about notching the bumper in a way similar to the way people mod it for the carrera cooler mod. I don't think you would need much to get some decent flow down there. Also plan on using a fan as well but probably something aftermarket and smaller than stock

Chuck

[Dennis Kalma]

Looks like the fender will go on with the condenser in the position it will move to when the bulge is gone. I am deliberately avoiding cutting the head light bucket, and actually would prefer to use it as the upper locating position. The stock 964 had a pin with a thick rubber condom over it (for vibration isolation) and I would like to stick that in a hole in the bucket.

The mounting will likely need to be slightly angled, but I am trying to make it as parallel as possible, preferably even angles slightly back (to allow exhaust air flow to get out more easily). Getting rid of the bulge will help a lot in that regard.

The bumper will need to be notched for sure, I may also look at a small slot in the front valence, but I need to get further to make that call.

The stock fan is quite nice and powerful, plus it fits the mount! I was planning on duplicating the two speed feature (low speed for regular compressor operation, high speed on high compressor pressure). I bought the fan used for $50.....

It may aso be necessary to tip it downward slightly to clear the upper edge of the bumper, perhaps even necessary to notch the lower edge of the bumper, that in turn to get the condenser forward enough to clear the tire sufficiently. I plan on building a rock shield much like the one over the oil cooler, so need a bit of clearance for that.

Insanity, pure insanity....isn't it wonderful?

Dennis

[scottb]

I have to honest, I'm flabbergasted at the notion of doing body surgery to install an a/c condenser. There are so many other options, I don't understand why people are willing to slice up and modify their cars. I just don't get it...

[brcorp]

Don't mean to rag on you here but, I have to agree with Scottb, seems like quite a bit of overkill. Though I do like the pictures you could have saved yourself quite a bit of work not to mention the possible fit and finish problems during reassembly. Think twice about cutting into the car it really isn't necessary especially for little or no noticable gain. Keep us posted though.

[brcorp]

Finally got something accomplished over the weekend, the rear condenser is installed, fan wired up and hoses run. Fishing the hose from the deck lid condenser to the rear fender condenser is a pain. I'll post some pictures later.

I also did this (added fan in deck lid) :

[930slant]

Scott,
You mentioned that you found a source (i assume other than Charlie!) for a condenser/fan that will fit in front of the left rear tire. Who makes it and what are it's dimensions? I imagine that it would also fit in front of the right rear tire, too? I have a 930 with the louvers cut in the fenders near the rear of the front door. The louvers on the right side originally let air into an oil cooler but I moved it to the front and now have this perfect space on the right side for a condenser. I'm having a hard time finding one that is small enough to fit... probably not much bigger than 13x 7. The closest size I have found so far is one that is 12 1/2 by 10, a unit that is actually for a Boxter.

Early on in this post you attached a picture of the condenser you instralled in the left front fender. What are its dimesnions?

A comment about trying to get by with just the procooler and a shrouded fan on the rear wing condenser. I have that set up, plus Charlie's evaporator and even though the temps make life a bit better than stock, it still leaves you uncomfortable in 95 degree heat and high humidity like we have in DC.

[brcorp]

Originally posted by 930slant
...a shrouded fan on the rear wing condenser. I have that set up, plus Charlie's evaporator and even though the temps make life a bit better than stock, it still leaves you uncomfortable in 95 degree heat and high humidity like we have in DC.

The fan on the rear condenser is being used in conjunction with the rear fender condenser.

[scottb]

Originally posted by brcorp
I also did this (added fan in deck lid) :

Bill: What's the story on this? Is that a stock decklid without a turbo tail? What are the specs on the fan?

Nice work!

[scottb]

930: Here's the condenser. I can't find the name of the vendor at the moment. Sorry.

[rfuerst911sc]

Try www.mtgparts.com that's where I purchased my condensor and fan unit that I installed in the left rear quarter behind the tire.

[brcorp]

Scott,

Basically, I added a Spal 10" Low Profile pusher fan (650 CFM) tucked into the stock tail. Fits really well, actually has room for two fans. A relay trigger by the compressor coil lead powers both the deck and rear fender fans.

I'll be running the last hose (evap to compressor) this weekend and maybe even pull a vacuum. Probably won't charge till the following weekend as I don't have my R-12 yet.

BTW, I did a quick test last week end. There has been a lot of talk about the temperatures in the rear fender area. I took the car for spin on Saturday afternoon when the temp was about 83 deg, drove in stop and go traffic for a bit then checked the condenser, heat shield and pre muffler. The premuffler was really too hot to touch, the heat shield was hot and the condenser was slightly warm. This was conducted with the condenser fan off. Not very scientific but an indicator. I'll do a more accurate job in the summer when its 115 deg here.

[scottb]

Bill: Do you have a tail on your decklid, or is it the standard Carrera lid (i.e., no tail).

Thanks again. Nice work.

[brcorp]

Scott,

Factory spoiler option (front spoiler and whale tail)