Remove clock and turn space into an A/C vent?

Hans Batra · 04-10-2006, 07:51 PM

Because I have an 83 SC with the pathetic tiny A/C side vents, and the bowtie vent down below (which is currently blowing air to no-man's land), what do you think about combining all that cold air and fashioning some tubing to blow it all out of the hole that holds the clock? Anyone done this?

What was the original purpose of the bowtie vent? What was Porsche thinking? They must have had some reason.

If it's a reasonable solution, I'd love to do it. I'll miss the clock but I'll appreciate being more comfortable.

regards,
Hans

Netspeed · 04-10-2006, 08:07 PM

Hav e you taken the ducting apart and make sure there's no obstructions? I agree the venting is lousy but I'd be concerned about blowing all that air through one vent...you could damage the blower motor and/or distribution system.

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

air-conditioning comfort - sc definitely an oxymoron.

have you updated to barrier-style hoses? new receiver/drier or procooler? thought of additional fanned condensers? there's tons of information using the search function on trying to improve a/c, unfortunately you're up against the laws of physics. just too many feet of hose compared to front-engined cars..10 times as much. a/c was an afterthought on these cars..they'll never cool like a modern car.
ryan

CarreraS2 · 04-10-2006, 08:10 PM

if you take the bowtie vent off (2 10mm bolts) you will notice a great improvement. the cold air will shoot straight out into the cabin and cool it quite a bit better.

the bowtie is surprisingly obstructive.

I think the reason it was put there was Porsche may have thought it uncouth to have cold air blowing so directly into the cabin like that.

Hans Batra · 04-10-2006, 08:34 PM

I went out just now, removed the bowtie, and the difference is amazing! Thanks so much.

regards,
Hans

scottb · 04-10-2006, 09:05 PM

Hans: If you want some directional control after you remove the bowtie, take a look at the KUEHL VENT from Griffiths. I have one, and it's very helpful. Easy to install, too.

Scott

Hans Batra · 04-10-2006, 09:14 PM

Scott,

Thanks.

Well, I was all excited...until I saw the price...I'll have to pass.

I guess they are being aggressive in recouping their R&D investment.

regards,
Hans

Hans Batra · 04-10-2006, 10:00 PM

I just re-read my post...i'm really not a cheap bastard...I just play one on this board.

regards,
Hans

scottb · 04-10-2006, 10:03 PM

Do a search here on the board for "Don Plumley." He made his own version of the Kuehl vent made out of stuff he got at a junkyard and at Home Depot. I think he spent less than $25 in parts.

oneblueyedog · oneblueyedog's Garage

There is also a coupling between the AC box and the vent system found in the smugglers box. If that hose is shot you lose air into the cabin. Mine was totally rotted out. I also have the bulkhead vent and it helps a lot. I'm in Texas with black interior.

These aren't the only things I did to get the AC to stay cold year after year though.

PcarPhil · 04-11-2006, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by scottb
Do a search here on the board for "Don Plumley." He made his own version of the Kuehl vent made out of stuff he got at a junkyard and at Home Depot. I think he spent less than $25 in parts.

No more Bowtie! My center vent kit

Hans Batra · 04-11-2006, 05:46 AM

Did anyone perhaps save the information from that time?

Thanks,
Hans

Phantom911 · Phantom911's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by oneblueyedog
There is also a coupling between the AC box and the vent system found in the smugglers box. If that hose is shot you lose air into the cabin. Mine was totally rotted out. I also have the bulkhead vent and it helps a lot. I'm in Texas with black interior.

These aren't the only things I did to get the AC to stay cold year after year though.

I'm in DFW too and I looking at options for my AC rebuild. What all did you do to stay cool during our summers?

tsuter · 04-11-2006, 06:28 AM

I'd start with these guys....

http://www.procooler.com/

Oh, I guess I did......

Phantom911 · Phantom911's Garage

I've been to the site and even talked to Ron but two shops in the area recommended against using a procooler and one said that they don't notice a difference in flow rate when using the serpentine evaporator. When I follow the dollars, they both wanted to add more condenser either under the car or in the rear wheel well.

Alas, so many choices...

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

james, as i indicated earlier, you can spend a small fortune on air upgrades on these cars, but you won't ever have 'modern a/c'..it just isn't going to happen in a rear-engined car when you have miles of hose to run bwetween the components. there have been some clever and downright ingenious things engineered here by certain very talented members of the board, but none of them can say that their air compares to that blowing out of just even an old nissan sentra. front-engined cars have everything right up front (all components), very little connecting hose, so smaller thermal losses or leakage potential. most use the same electric fan that blows across the radiator to blow over the condenser, while many of our cars have no such blower to begin with. i could go on and on, but short of a good compressor (preferably a rotary), barrier-style hose, a new receiver/drier and possibly low-profile blowers to mount on the rear deck condenser, i wouldn't spend much more..that's arguably about as good as it gets as far as the 'skin meter' is concerned. ymmv..
ryan

Hans Batra · 04-11-2006, 11:55 AM

I know that the condenser from a 993 is recommended as an upgrade for the SCs and Carreras. Anything else that we can use from either of these two cars to upgrade the earlier 911s in re: to A/C?

Anyone have the Keuhl side vents?

regards,
Hans