Kuehl A/C Does it make a difference?

cotullaguy · 09-20-2004, 08:57 PM

I have an 88 930 and the a/c is not good as most are not...has anyone used griffiths kuehl and gotten good results?

scottb · 09-20-2004, 11:29 PM

Not sure what you're asking. Griffiths makes great stuff, but it's pricey. I have their barrier hoses and Kuehl vent. The vent is great. The hoses were expensive. His Kuehl compressors look like rebuilt Nippondenso units, though you might call and ask how (or if) the differ from the Nippondenso units. The best thing about Griffiths is Charlie Griffiths' wealth of knowledge. He knows Porsche a/c, that's for sure!

philipguziec · 09-21-2004, 05:05 AM

I have an 89 930 and I'm in process of doing some AC upgrades. If you write Griffith a great big check for a few grand, I'm sure the system will work just fine. And, if you talk to him, he'll tell you nothing else will work as well as his system. He know's A/C. Just ask him, he'll tell you how much he knows. He'll also tell you the only solution is to replace the whole system.

Others have had good results on the 930 with a pro-cooler (a heat exchanger in the middle of the system that improves system efficiency and possibly an upgraded tail condenser). There's an interesting write up on the pro-cooler site of a 930 install. Google it and check it out.

One list member is rolling his own add-on condenser for a rear fender. The project with pics is in process and documented on the list. Other's have rolled their own center vent for just a few bucks. It's worth digging around in the list archives for AC, A/C, AC vent, etc. posts. There is a huge wealth of knowledge on the list.

I'm trying just adding a 12" 1200 cfm Spal fan to the rear condenser, properly ducted to use the whole condenser with a sheet metal shroud to solve the cooling at idle problem, plus a pro-cooler to improve system efficiency (hot side gets hotter, cold side gets colder), and a junkyard solution center vent to get more airflow over the evaporator. I anticipate ice-cold A/C. Should be done in a month or so if you want to wait for results.

Phil

wswilburn · 09-21-2004, 07:22 PM

If your air is cold enough and you just need more air flow, the Kuehl vent does help. Yes, its expensive, but also well made and looks like it belongs on the car. If your air isn't cold enough, search the archives to see what others have done.

philipguziec · 09-21-2004, 07:26 PM

The air isn't cold enough, and I need more flow. I saw a pretty sweet roll-your-own vent for about $10 that looks nicer than the Kuehl vent in the archive, so that'll be my solution to the flow problem. As for more cold, read the post. I'll post my results.

cotullaguy · 09-21-2004, 07:29 PM

Philipguziec,

keep me informed on what you do and if it works, I may try to copy it...it will put out cold air but not near enough volume to do any good in my car....love the car but this makes it inbearable to drive in summer right now..so, let me know...I did check out the pro cooler site and this looks very promising....

Hugh R · 09-21-2004, 08:23 PM

check out this alternative for a procooler, $20 versus $300 you have to sweat in a few flare fittings, I'm working on this set up now, so no feedback. Barrier vs Non-Barrier A/C hoses

philipguziec · 09-21-2004, 08:29 PM

I saw the link. Very nice. I had already bought a pro-cooler when I saw it and I'm way under my A/C upgrade budget, so I figured, to hell with it, I'll try the pro-cooler.

TonyG · 09-21-2004, 08:35 PM

Bone stock '82 SC A/C factory system with stock front condensor/fan and rear deck lid condensor with the stock York compressor.

Bought the car, the a/c didn't work. Tried to charge it (and convert to R134a) and there was a huge leak on the front a/c line.

Replaced the line, evacuated the system to 29", installed a 2oz oil charge of oil for R134a and (3) 12 oz cans of R134a.

In my garage (in the shade obviously) with an ambient air temp of 85F-90F.... the outlet temp at the center vent after 4-5 minutes at 2000 rpms reads 39F.

That's plenty good for me...

The point is that the stock system ain't bad at all if it works properly.

TonyG

JackT · 09-22-2004, 04:14 AM

The problem with the stock A/C is that it takes too long to cool the car when the car has been sitting in the sun in 90 degree plus heat. Park in the shade or at less than 90 degrees it is not bad. I just don't drive when it is too hot. I have the Kuehl center vent and a rotary compressor. They help but not enough to cool a hot car.