Cost to add A/C to SC?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Can anyone give me a ballpark figure for adding somewhat effective air conditioning to an '80 euro SC? I know that Griffiths sells retrofit systems that have been given good reviews, any reason why that wouldn't work on a car without original A/C? Also, last I heard it was about 2k, are there any cheaper options that are worthwhile? Working on a possible trade for my A4, keep your fingers crossed.

[tab tanner]

I installed a unit from I.C.E. industries on a 77 911s about a year ago. It worked better than any factory A/C system. I was alot of work but when it was done you could not tell it from the original. I think the bill was around $1600 for the A/C system, plus the labor of installing it

[Jubbie]

Tell us more about this ICE Industries of which you speak. Do you have contact/web information for said company?

Thanks

[JeremyD]

Contact Nostatic - I think he's getting rid of his AC from his 79 SC

[Gunter]

I removed A/C system and have original Compressor plus hardware and front/rear condensors. A used system would be a lot cheaper.

[scottb]

Originally posted by Jubbie
Tell us more about this ICE Industries of which you speak. Do you have contact/web information for said company?

ICE A/C. Talk to Bob.

[anthony]

Vintage Air probably has a kit as well.

http://www.vintageair.com/

I would get a complete used AC system from someone and then just use the evaporator and any special brackets and connectors. I'd also upgrade to a Sanden or Seltec compressor ($150 on ebay) and a newer more modern parallel flow condenser or alternatively use the stock condensor and add an additional condenser to the system. Finally I'd have an A/C shop make new barrier lines or buy the equipment and make them yourself.

[Rondinone]

Originally posted by scottb
ICE A/C. Talk to Bob.

Be careful with these jokers. They are slooooowww. For my kit, which was also $1600, they left out several parts including the expansion valve (somewhat necessary). They still have not sent the compressor bracket. Fortunately I had my old york bracket which I modified to hold the new compressor, so their lax attitude has not ruined my summer.

Their customer service is terrible. Every time I called to check on the kit (it took 2 months, even as incomplete as it was), they acted like I was a big hassle.

That being said, the compressor is of good quality, the hoses are well constructed, the evaporator box performs well and the condenser coils are OK. Unfortunately the fabrication of the metal parts they did send looks like it was done by 12-year olds. For example, the mesh guard that covers the front condenser was slightly too small. The front "brush bar" that bolts to the torsion bar covers is too wide to be installed. I don't know how much the distance between torsion bars varied over the years, but I bet it wasn't much. Rather, this piece was just sloppy.

I would go with somebody else.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Thanks for the warning. I've heard good things about the Griffiths kit, I'd probably go that route if I did ever add A/C.

[david914]

Check out these guys http://www.scottsind.com/
They've been doing Porsche A/C for a long time.

[dickster]

anyone retrofitted a/c to their car?

would it be a major pita?

[cmonref]

I put a Scott's Industries kit in my euro '80SC in 1987. Very straightforward with great instructions. You need to be handy and be prepared to buy some hole saws.

Last winter I installed a Griffiths condenser in the wheel well and ran new hoses. Again, straightforward and great instructions.

[dickster]

brian,

thanks for that, i have emailed scott ind.