What Year 911 Has Decent A/C?

[73ess]

I've read some past threads stating that A/C even on the 3.2's is pretty weak in a 911. I'm just curious what year did Porsche finally get the A/C system working as well as say a new Honda? Were the 993's decent? Or not until the 996? How's the A/C in a Boxster? Maybe Porsche just can't design a decent A/C system, but that's hard to believe.

[Kurt B]

My 964 seems to have decent AC.
It's not that Porsche can't design one, it's the simple laws of physics that prevent it.
The compressor is in the rear of the car. The same lines that run 2.5 feet in a regular (which is watercooled anyway) auto have to go 10 or 12 feet (due to routing) in a 911 just getting to the vents up front.
The lines in my 3.2 were probably 12 feet or so. Combine that with an older engine running hotter, esp in high temperatures, along with lines that have microscopic cracks and breaks allowing the cool air to be compromised and you have the natural results.

[nostatic]

if you live in San Francisco, you don't need AC. That's what the windows are for.

[73ess]

Heh, I think it was over 90 degrees here yesterday. We're starting our indian summer here. When it's cooling down everywhere else, it's heating up in SF. Usually runs Sept and October.

[ruf-porsche]

My A/C in my 82SC is able to provide vent temp at mid to upper 30. Compare with no A/C in my Lotuses I consider the Porsche to be a great summer car.

Stock system with R12.

[Venetian]

I was recently in Portland for the ALMS race in my 1987 Carrera which I fortunately had the A/C recharged beforehand. It was 105 F. The A/C worked well enough to keep us comfortable. Fan noise was a little tiresome after hours of driving however it got the job done.

The A/C ran well (2000 mile round trip) but not to new car standards.

[73ess]

Yeah, the fan is pretty noisy alright. About two higher fan speeds are needed as well. Anyone know if a replacement fan and switch is available? Even on the highest speed, the airflow feels like the lowest speed on my wife's '99 Honda Civic. Pretty pathetic Porsche!

[nostatic]

Originally posted by 73ess
Heh, I think it was over 90 degrees here yesterday. We're starting our indian summer here. When it's cooling down everywhere else, it's heating up in SF. Usually runs Sept and October.

I know it well. Some of the best surf I ever had was in October of '94...there was a heat wave that coincided with a perfect 4-7' swell.

Still...I've spent the last 2 years with no AC in my daily driver in SoCal (and in fact am ripping the whole system out). I think you guys are getting soft in your old age

[plain fan]

I think you guys are getting soft in your old age

Hey, that's how I got my 912! The guy had reached the point where a soft seat, heat in the winter and air in the summer outweighed the value of the car. I thank him for it every time I drive it.

[Nine9six]

86-89, 911 have the larger side vents as compared to the 84 & 85's. Better air flow IMO

[Tyson Schmidt]

I'll agree, the '86-'89 are better. Not just the vents, but a more efficient evaperator. The 964 and 993 are better still, with a totally different evaporator set-up, and condensor in the left front where it doesn't add heat to the engine or oil cooler.

[993.986.]

My 87 Targa has pretty weak AC. The PO converted to the R134 type fluid. I don't if that's the reason, but it's barely better than nothing. In my 96 993 you could freeze the b---s off a brass monkey, even sitting in traffic on a hot day (90's- it doesn't get to be 100 around here, but it gets really humid). I'm thinking of converting my 3.2 back to good old freon, or taking it off altogether.

[david914]

My '86 has a bone-stock A/C and is worlds apart from my '82. MUCH better. More airflow seems to be the key. The larger vents on the '86 flow much more air, especially the side vents. On the '82 the side vents just seem to trickle air, whereas the '86 side vents actually seem to flow more air that the center vent. I'm thinking that if I add the Perfomance Aire underbelly condensor, the '86 will be just about perfect.

[Zeke]

For air cooled, 993s are known to have real good AC. 964s a little less and on back, less and less.

[anthony]

I will be refurbishing the AC on my SC very shortly. I'm going to try a new Sanden compressor and HC-12a refridgerant for starters. If I'm not satisfied my next step will be a parellel flow condensor and or maybe an extra fender mounted condensor.

[masraum]

The AC in my '88 was good enough for here in Houston once the leaks were fixed. If you want honda, chevy, toyota, ford AC you'll have to get much later. Most modern cars can freeze you out on the lowest setting. No older 911 will do that, but they are adequate on higher settings.

[84porsche]

Targas and Cabriolets have the greatest A/C but only at speed.

[jtkkz]

My '91 964 blows cold air, works well.