After market AC - good/bad idea?

I am about to buy a 1983, 911 in mint condition, originally purchased in Belgium and immediately brought to the states (CA).
It has 66,000 miles and couldn't be cleaner. However, not that it needs one, it doesn't have AC and I was wondering what it might take to have one retrofitted. Obviously questions abound like why dog the poor thing with crap like that, why make more problems than its worth, why spend that much money, etc. Well I am just looking for a few of the technical, economical and, most importantly, from this forum, the real life pitfalls anyone may have experienced. Just to give me a well rounded view of the potential scenarios. I am originally a road racing motorcyclist and had a pumped 72 240Z many years ago. The driving experience in a 911 of my own is what I am really looking forward to, AC optional. Many thanks in advance for your wit and wisdom.

Try:
www.griffiths.com
to learn all you ever wanted to know about Porsche and other a/c systems. It was this site that educated me as to how much work and money I would need to rebuild my cars OEM a/c. (All parts of which are now sleeping in a big cardboard box in the basement).



------------------
Doug
'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
members.home.net/zielke/911SC.htm

I think most people on this site would say 'forget about it!' esp. if it is a targa or cab. or inteneded for purformance use.
I however have a cab. and good (for porsche) A/C.
Where as it never gets the car cold in 80 degree + temps it does keep the car comfortable for highway driving!.
Retrofitting I think you will be very expensive and you might think about a car with it already fitted.
I was looking at changing car a short while back to a turbo coupe and would have insisted on A/C!.
just my personal feelings!
rgds Ben

I used to own a '75 911. It did not come w/AC. I purchased the complete setup from Performance Aire in Ca. (714.634.9184). It was not inexpensive, about $2400, plus labor.
It included a very good set of instructions.
To me it was well worth it. I'm sure I drove the vehicle much more during the summer months because of the A/C.

Timely!

Just yesterday I talked with a mechanic in Saudi Arabia who works on all kind of sports cars. The specific question that I had was, " Is there anyway to make ac work in a 911?" His reply was to buy a Japanese aftermarket setup for just under $1000.00. Condenser goes under the wing, compressor in the usual place and the rest in usual places. He says it will be as cold as you want even in 120 + temperatures as we experience in the Gulf.

Dan

When you get a *complete* a/c system for your Porsche for $1K, please let us know, 'cause it ain't gonna happen. This is because to get the refrigerant to stay in the system for more than a week or two, you will have to replace every inch of the old OEM hose used by Porsche. Not cheap. There is a lot more to the Porsche a/c system than just what you see under the lid.



------------------
Doug
'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
members.home.net/zielke/911SC.htm

Does anyone know the weight of all the components I could remove if I decided that I didn't want A/C in my 1979 930?

Keith

Doug Z.:

Do I understand that you just removed your AC and did not replace it? I'm curious as I will be moving to Calgary and bringing my '87 Targa which at present has factory AC but I intend to strip it out when I arrive - if memory serves you need AC in Calgary about once every six years....

I'd have to say the factory system (at least on the eighties cars) just isn't worth the hassle.

Pilot,
Correct. All the a/c bits from my car were carefully removed and stored away. You shed almost 70 lbs. The next owner of my car may choose to reinstall it if he wants a "little" project. We get the odd hot day here, too, but then the "Blue Bomber" has a sunroof that does work.


------------------
Doug
'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
members.home.net/zielke/911SC.htm

Hello

Retrofiting the original units is possible but your trunk needs sheetmetallwork for the frontcondensor blower.

The car needs around 12m barrier type hose. Don´t know US prices but in germany the raw is 300 $.

Evaporatur sits in the trunk and the forward footweel on the passenger side needs cutout.

later cars miss the middletunnel air intake scoop hard to retrofit.

The only aftermarked unit I know was made by Diavia and had a small compressor and only rear condensor. Just works out fresh breeze not cool air.


I f you need AC then it is the best to get a car with factory AC and improve it later to R134 with Sanden, or Zyxxel ( Rotary Vane ) Compressor.

POrsche had an heavy duty AC for Australia and Hong Kong.

Best years are 86 on.


Wights ?

I think around 60 ( Denso ) - 70 ( York & Underdash ) kg

Grüsse

Air Conditioning/ Schmair Conditioning, I have brought the car home and couldn't be happier. Without the added weight, stolen hp and especially the headaches of cutting up and molesting a perfectly beautiful machine, I don't care if it gets to 120 degF (49 degC).

Thank you all very much for the info and advice. Now, what is the best way to tighten up the suspension? (Or maybe I'll just take some time and enjoy the ride for now)

All the best.
Dennis

22/28 torsion bars, front/rear. Bilsteins or Konis, of the sport variety.

22mm antiswaybars, front and rear.

You can go even firmer, if you're going to track the car, but then your teeth might end up chattering -- and it won't be from the cold.

------------------
Jack Olsen
1973 911 T (3.6) sunroof coupe
jackolsen@mediaone.net

Originally posted by Dropp the Pilot:
Doug Z.:

Do I understand that you just removed your AC and did not replace it? I'm curious as I will be moving to Calgary and bringing my '87 Targa which at present has factory AC but I intend to strip it out when I arrive - if memory serves you need AC in Calgary about once every six years....

I'd have to say the factory system (at least on the eighties cars) just isn't worth the hassle.

Well I am 3 hours away from Calgary in Edmonton If you do strip your A/C. I wouldn't mind buying it from you. Oh By the way you will need A/C During the summer months.

------------------
Partyparty
1969 Porsche 911E Targa
1970 Porsche 911E Coupe
1968 650 Twin BSA