First year of air conditioning

[Eat-um-up]

I have decided to get another Porsche and this time I've decided to go with a 911. I want to go with something older that needs some care. (I get the most joy out of rebuilding neglected cars) I have been considering an SC because i hear they are built pretty well, but am in the early stages of learning about them. I am not committed to the SC either.

Anyway, my question is... In what year did the 911 have factory a/c that was not problematic. (in other words, does not make the car overheat climbing a hill on a warm day like in the old vw's.) I am kind of limited by that because here in so cal it can get pretty warm and I would just rather have the option.

[Brother]

I've never heard of any Porsche air conditioning overheating the car.

The first strong AC from a 911 was with the 964. However, with aftermarket parts, you can now make any 911 cool well.

[the]

'86 and up is ok.

[rnln]

On my 87, my AC is working ok now, after many times playing with it. Still need to recharge maybe once a year. I drove with AC on today and here, let me tell you the whole story so you can decide.
From Inland empire, when I got to my car today, lot of heat. My probe thermostat show 90+. Drive the car for 1 min then turned on AC max. 3 mins later it showed 50 degree, on freeway. Around 20 to 30 mins later it showed slightly above 30 degree, maybe 32-33.
The temp is cold now, I can tell, but it won't make you feel as pleasure as in a modern car, and it takes quite a while to get up to the point. This was one of the reasons I was thinking about selling this car and get a 996, in the past, but I am very happy now

[Barrpete]

When I first bought my 911 the engine would get pretty hot sitting in traffic running the AC. Like approaching 250ish. I always turned the AC off before it got there, so not sure how hot it would have gotten. When the compressor started slinging oil I just ripped out the old system and replaced it AND added a fan to the front fender oil cooler. AC works good now and no overheat problems at all.

[Eat-um-up]

wow. thanks for the great comments. The new information will help me a lot in my search. Its good to know that the 911's never really had serious overheating issues like the old vw's did.

If anyone else feels the desire to chime in ill be glad to listen to any advice you might have. this search is going to be a lengthy one i think. I want to make sure I buy the right car.

thanks again.
-James

[Zeke]

If you go with upgrades to any 911 AC, you will get good results. Trying to get the original systems of the 80's up to '95 to work well in stock configuration is difficult.

There must be a hundred threads here on upgrades, but this might be the granddaddy of them all:
Ultimate AC Thread