Loss of value on 86 Coupe if I remove AC

[Eric-325I]

Hello Everyone:

Thought I'd post my opinion as I'm finally in the fortunate position to have saved the cash for an outright purchase and have been looking hard for a while now...

I have been looking at anything older than '89's and have only been in one that had AC worth anything. It was a 79 SC with a HUGE aftermarket condenser bolted to the underpan. I saw this as a big negative. If I had my druthers I'd find a sunroof/electric everything and AC delete... Galvanized as well. What I'm saying is that this buyer (me) has done the research and understands that AC in these autos is almost useless and better left at the curb in favor of easier diy and less weight. When I find my gem removing the entire system will be on the short list of winter projects...

I understand that I may not be the typical buyer... But we are out there.

Hope this provides another worthy point of view.

Eric

[oliver88]

I would keep it in...been there...you'll eventually be glad you kept it in.

[tsuter]

Originally posted by Porsche virgin
I think it is funny that two of the guys arguing loudest for keeping the car original have a '74 with a 3.0 and a '78 SC turbo!

That's not what I said. Reread it. My factory A/C is not deleted and won't be. I said deleting factory A/C loses value. And I'm standing by that....
A lot of value $1500-4000. Without the "baggies" of parts.

Show me the "buyer" that will pay EQUAL or MORE for a 911 that has the factory A/C ripped out.... ALL OTHER THINGS EQUAL!!! They don't exist!! They will ALL pay LESS even if you say... "here's my zip lock baggies of parts... Muhahahaha!

[tsuter]

And a follow up... My extensively modified 911SC Turbo Targa would sell for SUBSTANTIALLY MORE than a non modified SC Targa of the same year in simlar condition and miles.

Albeit to a smaller pool of buyers...... but those buyers will pay for the beauty, safety and simplicity of the build.... and there's just something about 300HP!!!

And because as we all know those perfectly appointed SCs can be bot for $9-12K right????? As long as they have factory A/C.....
Muhahahaha!!

[Tim Hancock]

Lets see..... would I rather drive my car home from work in 90deg temps with AC that takes 5 minutes to start cooling car or would I rather drive home sweating the whole way knowing that my car is fraction of second faster 0-60?

I'll guess I will be keeping my nearly 30 yr old stock AC system that I fixed and converted over a weekend to 134 (I had the 134 and oil charge allready) for a the measely cost of a $20.00 drier from the local auto supply. Over one year later it still works and has not required a recharge yet.

Unless you live in Alaska or your car is a dedicated race car, why in the world wouldn't you just do your homework then get the d@mn AC fixed and enjoy. It does not have to cost thousands of dollars. Just fix your leaks, install a new drier, vacuum it down and have it recharged.

Your old hoses after soaking up mineral oil for 20 years will retain 134 unless they got torn or smashed by jack or something. My car is proof of it. Granted it is possible that you could have expensive damaged components to replace, but I would bet the majority of old cars with inoperative AC systems just have a leak somewhere and once repaired will still function.

[Warviking]

I have been debating this same issue for sometime. Though I would like the extra space and loss of weight, I still hate to change anything that would be hard to put back. It blows only mildly cool air so I don't think it really makes a difference on a hot day. I noticed the compressor gets really hot when it is turned on also.... Anybody ever reinstalled an AC? I'm curious how hard it is and how to properly store the parts. If I knew reinstalling it wasn't so hard I would have no probs with removing it.

[89911]

The very hot days when I did REALLY need an AC were the days that mine never worked as it should. It was passably OK on moderately warm day when I guess if you didn't want to hear your engine and listen to the radio. I still remember going to a Wedding with a suit on in a 90 degree day sweating my **lls off with the windows closed. Finally broke down and opened up the windows at least to get air flow. And my year (1989) was suppose to have all the great advantages, bigger compressor, bigger outlet. Fresh recharge didn't matter. If the thing worked, it would be an entirely different argument. I just didn't feel like going through the laundry list of things that need to be done to have your AC function. Germans don't know AC.

[rusnak]

I am proud to say that I have added lots of weight to my car by making the AC work right.

I have also added at least 50 pounds of stereo equipment.

I have not deleted my spare tire, jack, or tool bundle.

Oh, and I carry around a few extra quarts of oil, and usually my dog goes with me too, which ads more weight (gasp).

Am I not Pelican-esque?

Well then, excuse me while I climb up on this friggen wooden cross then.

[Venetian]

Why not at least remove the belt if the AC isn't working. Will that not take some load off the motor and wear off the compressor?

[tsuter]

Originally posted by rusnak
I am proud to say that I have added lots of weight to my car by making the AC work right.

I have also added at least 50 pounds of stereo equipment.

I have not deleted my spare tire, jack, or tool bundle.

Oh, and I carry around a few extra quarts of oil, and usually my dog goes with me too, which ads more weight (gasp).

Am I not Pelican-esque?

Well then, excuse me while I climb up on this friggen wooden cross then.

I just hope you haven't turned your gauges sideways or done the "clock delete" to sneak just a little Pelican-esque in there......Muhahahaha!

[rusnak]

Hahahaa Tsuter! I'll try to get a little sweaty palmed when I drive down the freeway next time, just don't ask me to paint a number on my door!

[ianc]

The A\C is not in the true spirit of the car. The car's original designers did not envision A\C, but were probably forced to add it by marketing types and bean counters who thought it would sell more cars if they could offer it as an option (or standard equipment).

It is a poorly designed, heavy, ineffective system that is incredibly in the way of almost any maintenance task you might imagine. I could see some reason for keeping it if you live in the hot southern states. If you're elsewhere, what are the actual number of days that you're likely to need it? For me (of course I live in NoCal), it might be 5 or less per year. Is it worth all the extra hassle during maintenance and the weight? Absolutely not!

Did I even think twice before gutting it completely from my newly acquired 87, or my 80 back when I got it? Absolutely not!

Again, A\C, unless absolutely dictated by the climate, has no place in a true sports car. Also, if you're too worried about the resale value, in my opinion, the 911 bug has not really bitten you yet. You're not revelling in the car as it was intended to be enjoyed, but thinking down the road to when you'll be getting rid of it.

Show me the "buyer" that will pay EQUAL or MORE for a 911 that has the factory A/C ripped out.... ALL OTHER THINGS EQUAL!!! They don't exist!!

Oh yes they do; right here! I'd gladly have paid a couple hundred extra bucks if someone had already done the dirty work of excising all that worthless crap from my car and dealt with the junk before I bought it!

ianc

[89911]

Originally posted by ianc
Also, if you're too worried about the resale value, in my opinion, the 911 bug has not really bitten you yet. You're not revelling in the car as it was intended to be enjoyed, but thinking down the road to when you'll be getting rid of it.

Ditto!

[c2 rower]

Holy crap, I didn't think I'd get so much interest! I love this forum!

BTW, my path to this car started with new VW GTI 337 Edition that I pampered for a year. It was competent and modern but the novelty of 18" BBS wheels, cup holders and ground effects add ons kindoff wore off. I started viewing this forum and sold it at a loss. Bought the 911 3 years ago and can honestly say I love it more every year. I think it it's the rawness and primitive nature (compaired to new cars) that appeals more and more to me. Jack is right when he speaks of the journey that many middle aged 911 buyers like me go through.

It seems like IF I really did wanted good AC I would turn the wrenches and install this:
http://www.rennaire.com/rennaire_system_1.htm

It might make it stand out more amongst 3.2s if it were sold. But it aint for sale. For now I think I'll just keep driving it more and washing it less.

[goat]

Prior to the purchase of my 911 I did not know of Pelican Parts. and so I did much of my research from books and Magazines.
I liked the SC and the Carrera for many reasons. My first criteria was to buy a car Without A/C or a sunroof or power anything. Very hard to find without these things in the 80's car range. So I had more fun in the tech forums on how to remove and other stufff.
If I had looked at a car that the A/C had been removed I would have been happy with that as long as the rest of the car was alright.

[charleskieffner]

if you do sell it. dave at TRE is looking for entire A/C system complete.

[brett25]

i ditched my (non working A/C) and am very happy with the result. Also, i dont think they sell the original freon anymore, so you have to upgrade anyway,. Right now im figuring out a custom blower fan to put in the box with a hose that will pull cold air from below the car. with a decent and simple blower i will have cooler air than what the original a/c would have done.

once you start pulling things you dont need out of your car it will get easier and easier.


just keep all of your stock parts.

[Dixie]

It must be an age thing. When a was in my twenties I did not care if a car had air. In fact, I prefered that it didn't.

But now I really enjoy driving home from the track the A/C on. So what if the R134 only gives me 60 degree vent temps? 75 degree inside my 911 is better than having 98 degree, 70% humidity, wind blowing on me.

And I find the extra weight does not affect my lap times at all.

[fintstone]

Originally posted by Porsche virgin
I think it is funny that two of the guys arguing loudest for keeping the car original have a '74 with a 3.0 and a '78 SC turbo!
.....

I am not arguing so much to keep it original (although that is admirable). I am arguing against making a street car less comfortable and less valuable. The only thing/capability lost by replacing my 2.7 with my Supertec 3.0 was the capability of leaving oil puddles in my driveway or being shamed at stoplights by economy cars.

Heck, even a Kia has working A/C! Anyone that cannot devote enough power to run a small A/C compressor in a street car really has worse issues than A/C weight. Maybe a rebuild is in order.

I recently had A/C (R134 system) added to my non-A/C car and you cannot tell any difference in my car's performance (of course it is not an overweight, underpowered example to start with like many)...and the air is 40 degrees at the vent in less than a minute and 32 degrees a minute later (at the vent) at @100 degrees outside temp. Modern components are significantly lighter and seem to load to the engine very little (just like A/C in a modern Corolla, LoL). It is nice to finally be able to drive my P-car in the summer after all these years.

IMHO, fix the A/C unless you are tracking the car only.

[ianc]

Those who live in HOT climes and\or don't do their own work and\or are thinking of selling at some point = Keep the A\C

Those who live in temperate climes and\or those who do their own work and\or those who are planning to keep the car forever = Ditch the A\C

ianc