A/C Upgrade Project starts tomorrow!

[Hugh R]

Put the new R-134a expansion valve in and started charging. I couldn't get vent temps below 60 degree idling. I've got 50 psi low and 155 high, stays about the same on the low, but the high goes to about 180 at 2000 RPM. Deck lid closed, Kuehl type condensor in the L/R wheel well with a fan. Do I have too much R-134 in, or not enough?

[kuehl]

Hugh,
2, 3, 4 or condenser system?
how many ounces of refrigerant?
what ambient?
what fan speed?

[Hugh R]

One full deck lid condenser, one 18" square underbelly, One sort of like yours with fan in L/R wheel well, and one stock original with three computer-type muffin fans,

About 42 ounces of R-134a,

It was about 80 degrees in the garage,

Fan on Medium then High.

I'm really stumped.

Compressor rebuilt last summer a Sanden-seiko

New hoses a few years ago.

[kuehl]

pm sent

[mthomas58]

Life is good! 95 degrees ambient in the shade today. Went shopping today with my better half. Car sat out in full sun for several hours with windows cracked 2". Cabin temp was 136 degrees when we started out. 10 minute drive home and vent temps got down to 49 degrees on full fan speed and were still on the way down. Really amazing stuff!

Original fan motor has been squealing - it's time for replacement/upgrade. Hurricane motor from Kuehl arrives tommorow! I addition, Charlie tells me he has just come out with a next generation front condenser model - thicker but still fits in stock cage - stay tuned - more tweaks? Oh, I think so!

Fan upgrade thread here:

Anyone here with a 1986+ done a Kuehl Wirblesturm "Hurricane" evap motor upgrade?

Next generation front condenser thread here:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/483803-griffiths-next-generation-front-condenser-75-thicker-post4790838.html#post4790838

[mthomas58]

Life is still Kuehl! 94 degrees on the commute home today and vent temps never exceeded 44 degrees at full fan speed! Oil temps are a challenge at these high ambient temps in Atlanta traffic....turned on front oil cooler override switch and it really kept oil temps from rising above 9:00 o'clock on the temp gauge.

[Joeaksa]

Reviving an old thread.

One thing that I did not see in anyone's post is the modification that the old PreformanceAire did with making an additional hole in the system to provide more airflow.

Has anyone done this? Do any good or not worth the hassle?

I have one of their underbody condensors but after reading this thread am leaning towards using a newer model fender units like Kuehl or Rennaire has.

Joe A

[KNS]

Joe,

The previous owner of my SC installed the Performance Aire under dash vent kit. I can't compare to how it was before the mod but when my car is blowing cold (I have a slow leak and need to get it topped once a year) - it blows!! The only other update I have is a Sanden compressor, everything else is original. I'll drive the car on 100 to 105 degree days and it is plenty cold from the bulkhead vents. It's been mentioned that just the extra opening alone does a nice job with airflow, it just looks a bit unfinished.

It's not a modern Chevy or Toyota. For some reason you lose the ability to blow AC air from the dash vent. I never understood this about my car until I read that Steve Wong (who also has the Performance Aire mod) says it has something to do with the install and his is the same way.

It won't blow cold air on your face but it will cool down the rest of your body and the cabin as well. The best part is that is hidden and looks semi stock.

Also, make sure that the evaporator is clean with good, intact gaskets. The only other mod I would do to my car - other than new hoses - is the Kuehl front condenser which I am considering.

[mthomas58]

Originally Posted by mthomas58

Life is still Kuehl! 94 degrees on the commute home today and vent temps never exceeded 44 degrees at full fan speed! Oil temps are a challenge at these high ambient temps in Atlanta traffic....turned on front oil cooler override switch and it really kept oil temps from rising above 9:00 o'clock on the temp gauge.

Mid August pic in driveway after 45 min hour commute home in full sun. Posted this recently on another thread but it belongs here. BTW, anyone know if there is an iPhone app for monitoring H/L system pressures? .

[kuehl]

"...anyone know if there is an iPhone app for monitoring H/L system pressures?"

May have a few solutions: possible with bluetooth but expensive.
How about a single LCD (or OLED) display with multiple inputs.

[mthomas58]

I've always been intrigued by the U View diagnostic system.....has pressure reading hook ups to the H/L ports.....

How nice would this look hanging from the rear view mirror? $600


$230

[AlfonsoR]

Good A/C upgrade info. Need to do mine before next summer. Thanks Mark Thomas!

[m110]

Bump for a great thread, diving in myself this week with a Griffiths kit.

[hcoles]

I talked with Charlie at Griffiths today and now have a solid plan for my 89 3.2. My climate is not very hot, we have a few hot days here and there. Currently looking at using old compressor (needs inspection, hopefully it has no issues) and rear desk condenser (need to leak test), new everything else and switch to R134.

[hcoles]

Originally Posted by kuehl

"...anyone know if there is an iPhone app for monitoring H/L system pressures?"

May have a few solutions: possible with bluetooth but expensive.
How about a single LCD (or OLED) display with multiple inputs.

good question, would be nice to have time series data on a few or more AC system attributes during a test run - wireless metering systems are getting popular but are probably a bit involved for an auto application, but who knows maybe there is something not expensive out there that an iphone can pickup. What is needed to nail down the system performance? 2 pressures, vent temp., ambient temp. ? It would be nice IMHO to be able to get enough points to plot on the pressure enthalpy chart.

[mthomas58]

Originally Posted by ljowdy

read this
A/C Box clips........ - Pelican Parts Technical BBS

More evap box clip removal tips here:



A/C Evaporator box clip tips

[86 911 Targa]

Here's another idea.

Reverse the grips.

[Paul K]

All:

I just bought a bunch of stuff from Griffiths so I can have better AC. Here's what I got;



I have been disappointed with the instructions, not only the typos but the pictures aren't clear and the verbiage isn't too good either. My first step was to remove the center console (I am adding a short shift while I'm in there) and remove the switches. Then I removed the floor board on the passengers side and started working on the sensor. As was mentioned previously in this thread, the part that goes into the fire wall from onside the cabin has to stay out so the thingy in the smugglers box can come out. I had already put it back, sealed up & snug. DOH!



I also removed the hood for better access.



Onto my questions;

1. This silver relay shown below was unplugged. Do I have to plug it back in, and if so, which wire goes where?



2. What is the part number for the smugglers box lid gasket? I searched here but couldn't find it.

I'll post my progress. To those of you who have been through this, expect lots of questions!

Cheers,

Paul.

[Mitch Leland]

Paul,

You bet you need that relay hooked up... W/O it your system won't work. Do you have a Bentley's manual? It has a wiring schematic which denotes which wire goes where. That relay is cheap, you can buy it at your local auto parts, I would suggest that you replace now as long as you're doing all this work.

I believe that replay is for the evaporator blower motor, but w/o that relay your compressor won't work either. I'll look up the wiring for you if you don't have it.

[Paul K]

Mitch:

I do have the Bentley manual. I was hoping for a quick 'Red & White wire to terminal 87' answer from Griffiths, but instead they sent me a wiring schematic which doesn't answer the question, as I still don't know which wire goes to which terminal.

Thanks,

Paul.