Has anyone installed a ProCooler?

SeaDweller · 06-01-2001, 11:58 AM

I'm scrambling to get my A/C temperatures down, so any advice would be appreciated.

I bought the car in October, so the weather was nice and cool. This is my first summer with the car, and there's no way I can use it comfortably in this Florida heat with the air temp currently coming from the A/C vents. It hasn't even cracked 90 degrees yet, and my A/C system is falling way behind!!

My current system is an underdash unit made by a company called Diavia. It was converted to R134 quite some time ago. It's actually a pretty nifty set-up. It has a primary condensor on the engine lid, and a secondary, fan cooled condensor located in the drivers side, rear wheel well. The receiver/dryer is located in the "smugglers box," and the evaporator is integrated into the underdash unit in the cabin.

I'm not too keen on adding a third condensor, because it's sure not a simple bolt on installation.

Has anyone installed a ProCooler in their system? Does it really work as advertised? Any other advice?

I've further researched a question I asked earlier about R12 vs. R134, and I'm convinced that converting back is not the way to go. My wife's Honda Odyssey has a R134 system, and it will freeze you out of the car!

Any input on successful A/C temperature reducing strategies would be most appreciated!

Thanks!!

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Michael
'78 911SC Euro

88911coupe · 06-01-2001, 12:26 PM

I had one in my previous 911 (87 Cab) which had also been converted to R134 by the PO. The system worked fairly well but here in Dallas it gets really miserable in the summer. My current car is an 88 still on R12 with the upgraded Sanden compressor (no Procooler) and it works pretty good. Haven't see 100 degrees yet so it's hard to tell.
Buck

kamikazepilot · kamikazepilot's Garage

As someone passed this on to me, and I am in the middle of working the deal, I will pass it on to you...

Be sure to read the "Mr. Ice" 911 project car pages... That is what I am doing, not cheap but very cool....

Randy

http://www.griffiths.com./porsche.htm

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Friends don't let friends drive RICE!

1978 911 SC

Hellgate · 06-01-2001, 05:09 PM

Yes, don't bother. I live in Austin, Texas with a greanhouse on wheels (Targa) and I roast in the summer. Just make sure your system is clean and serviced and cover your car so the sun doesn't bake it all day. They claim a 20 degree drop in temp, seems the same too me. The installation is pretty cobbled too. I also had a hose fitting leak a few years back. Cost me 150 bucks to have a custom hose made. My mechanic also mentioned some thing about increase head pressure and that causing long term problems with the system.

The dude who sold it to me was a total BS'er and would not reinstall my old system after I complained about it.

Bottom line if you want good A/C by a new 911.

Sorry : (

Pete

SeaDweller · 06-01-2001, 06:48 PM

Kamikazepilot,

I read through the Griffith site some time ago, and their results look quite encouraging. The problem is, I have a ROW car, and don't have the front mounted condensor, although I do seem to have a Kuelh-like condensor in my rear fender well.

Does your car have the front mounted condensor? I'd be interested to know how it is mounted, because when I look at my car, I can't see how it would fit, especially with a fan.

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Michael
'78 911SC Euro

GT911 · 06-01-2001, 07:53 PM

What a great time for this question, I've been wondering about the Procooler myself.

I saw the theory on it, and it kind of looked to me like trying to cool your kitchen by leaving the refrigerator door open. Where does the heat really go?

I read the Mr. Ice story last week, and I can't see any major changes in their system other then the addition of the condenser in the rear 1/4 panel. Increased condenser area seems to be the key to getting maximum performance out of R 134a.

Relying on the engine-cooling fan to bring in the air through the condenser is all we have in the rear. With this in mind the sheet metal and sealing rubber around the engine must be in good shape to make sure all the air that feeds the fan comes through the condenser.

I have an '81 SC, and I am in the process of fabricating a huge, 17" X 34", condenser to place inside a Carrera tail. For one thing I will increase the condenser area, but the biggest advantage, I think, will be getting the condenser up in the air stream. This should really pull the heat off of it, I hope.

Just my thoughts on A/C, from here in Houston where it's hot, hotter, or hottest.

kamikazepilot · kamikazepilot's Garage

Michael,

The condenser in the front mounts center under the car right in front of the gas tank by the stabilizer bar (between) has a screen over it....

Randy

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Friends don't let friends drive RICE!

1978 911 SC

SeaDweller · 06-02-2001, 03:01 AM

Thanks everyone!

I have a tail that hasn't been installed yet, but I like the idea of getting a larger condensor, and mounting it under the grill of the tail. I could increase the size of my current, lid mounted condensor by 4 times, and if that doesn't lower the A/C temp, I would imagine nothing will!

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Michael
'78 911SC Euro

vjd3 · 06-02-2001, 03:29 AM

I just had my (stock) 88 Carrera converted to 134a and it's blowing 41 degrees out of the vents. My previous 88 Carrera also had 134a and it was comfortable stuck in traffic in Tampa on a 93 degree sunny day on the second fan setting. The real key is to make sure everything is working properly (especially the front condenser fan), the condensers are clean, the 134 is topped off and it also helps to just remove the bowtie vent from behind the shifter. Also remove the carpeting and floorboard and make sure the big air intake in the passenger footwell isn't blocked (aftermarket stereo installation, for example).

Consider tinting your windows and definitely don't let the car bake in the sun all day, it won't catch up if you let it do that. Get a cover if you have to park outside.

The 134a conversion is straightforward and relatively inexpensive; evacuate the R12, change out the receiver dryer and compressor fittings, and fill 'er up. With R12 going as high as $100 a pound, it's a wash between the two.

Vic
88 Carrera

[This message has been edited by vjd3 (edited 06-02-2001).]

88911coupe · 06-02-2001, 03:22 PM

Just thought I'd add an update to this. I have a friend with an 89 Turbo Cab and she had a large (approx 1' X 3') evaporator installed under the car by Louden Motorcars here in Dallas. She says it will freeze the car no matter how hot it is. The downside is Louden charges around $1100 for the job.
Buck
88 coupe with "decent" a/c

SeaDweller · 06-02-2001, 05:34 PM

Just a quick update............

I brought the car by an A/C shop this morning, and found that the system was not fully charged. Evidently, the other place had a bad set of gauges. The A/C shop added some R134, and now the A/C works reasonably well.

When I add my Carrera tail, I may still install a large condensor in it, and may even add a fan. I'll then have 2 fan cooled condensors, which should work very well. At least for now, I'm not sweating to death!

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Michael
'78 911SC Euro