El Cheapo (yet highly effective) center A/C vent

migkillr · 05:26 PM

I've seen a few posts, but found a place that had everything needed and the vent has no chrome trim around it. I am not affiliated, but will do business with them again.

Nostalgic Air Parts
Aftermarket Air Conditioning For Automobiles and AC parts

Part # Desc Price
5070 2.5" hose adapter/flange 8.99
DH25 2.5" flexible duct hose 4.58
5013 Rectangle vent, black 14.99

I rounded two edges off of the mounting flange, which was square and used one of the original bow tie bolts and some foam+adhesive and foam tape to affix the flange. I also used thin double sided foam tape to mount the duct on the ash tray. Plugged in the duct hose and bam.....done. I can post pics if you want, but it's way simple and gives a lot more volume. Looks pretty factory.

Next up.....compressor, hoses, evaporator, drier, etc....etc....etc.....

kramer747 · kramer747's Garage

I got one from our host awhile back- looks great

migkillr · 05-02-2011, 06:32 AM

Yessir, and I love Pelican.....but note the price difference. It's not a Renn, but it's the same.

Wavey · 05-02-2011, 09:14 AM

Did you enlarge the hole in the evaporator duct to be the same size as the adapter/hose?

kramer747 · kramer747's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by migkillr

I've seen a few posts, but found a place that had everything needed and the vent has no chrome trim around it. I am not affiliated, but will do business with them again.

Nostalgic Air Parts
Aftermarket Air Conditioning For Automobiles and AC parts

Part # Desc Price
5070 2.5" hose adapter/flange 8.99
DH25 2.5" flexible duct hose 4.58
5013 Rectangle vent, black 14.99

I rounded two edges off of the mounting flange, which was square and used one of the original bow tie bolts and some foam+adhesive and foam tape to affix the flange. I also used thin double sided foam tape to mount the duct on the ash tray. Plugged in the duct hose and bam.....done. I can post pics if you want, but it's way simple and gives a lot more volume. Looks pretty factory.

Next up.....compressor, hoses, evaporator, drier, etc....etc....etc.....

Please send pics!

migkillr · 05-02-2011, 05:35 PM

Contents

Modified flange

migkillr · 05-02-2011, 05:39 PM

Flange on the outlet. I didn't drill anything or enlarge anything. Used the thicker foam around the edge of the flange that didn't lie flat. You can't tell a thing after it's installed and it'll go back stock easy.

Duct which is taped to the ashtray with thin double sided foam. I probably should have moved it back a little, but it's easy enough to get off with a guitar string if I want to move it.

migkillr · 05-02-2011, 05:41 PM

Forgot to add: Take your wife to a nice restaurant with the money you saved and be sure to tell her how much you saved on Porsche parts. It'll grease the skids for the next order of goodies.

F.G. · F.G.'s Garage

I have A bunch good AC parts that I would be willing to part with for cheap, you will obviously need a new Receiver /drier as this should be replaced every time the system is opened. Parts includes front and rear condensers, all lines old R-12 style compressor and evaporator with working TXV/sensing bulb. all mounting hardware and clamps. you will still need brand new orings to ensure seal. I'm trying to move to New Zealand so I'm motivated to sell.

PM if your interested.

Good luck and it does look nice!

kramer747 · kramer747's Garage

very cool -Glad to see pics -I wasn't able to picture what you were talking about without seeing it

kramer747 · kramer747's Garage

I looked at the details of the vent on their website and it looks like it has an oval opening at the back. Do they not make an 2.5" oval to round adaptor? I didn't see one

migkillr · 05-05-2011, 07:48 AM

It is oval. The hose is flexible and collapses to fit the oval opening. It just plugs right in and has a couple of little teeth that keeps the hose connected. You don't even need any zip ties.

Dean

kramer747 · kramer747's Garage

Cool. thanks - i was assuming I would need zip ties but it sounds like not. Great. I saw an ad in The Panorama (sp?) for Griffith's -they were selling the same set up you put together for like $140

kramer747 · kramer747's Garage

Did mine today - I decided to take ash tray out and put vent in its place. The tabs allow it to easily be tucked up under the knee pad rails

Mitch Leland · Mitch Leland's Garage

Kramer,

Would you please post another pix taken further back so you can see the relationship between the vent and the console? Is the air hose hanging down over the top of the console?

Can you feel much air distribution coming from the vent?

Thanks,

kramer747 · kramer747's Garage

Much more air than previously. Nothing like my 2010 Tundra with cooled seats though -LOL

Mitch Leland · Mitch Leland's Garage

Kramer,

I think it's a great idea to install the vent in lieu of the ash tray, but I'm wondering if there's any advantage to running the large hose. Would a smaller hose with a reducer at the vent work just as well?

kramer747 · kramer747's Garage

The vent has a big oval connector on the back of it-the 2.5" hose just made it around it.

Mitch Leland · Mitch Leland's Garage

Kramer,

If the air flow would work as well with the smaller diameter hose that comes out of the firewall it wouldn't be a problem to glue up a filler piece and a PVC nipple that would fit a smaller diameter hose. It would give you a cleaner look.

I've never reached under my dash to find out how much air really comes out of the "bow tie" duct in the first place. I think your concept is a good one...

kramer747 · kramer747's Garage

I had never reached under there either until i saw this thread -it's quite a bit. I wish the housing frame for the ashtray would come out -that would allow the hose to be tucked up there better.