A/C evaporator in the trunk...an option?

[RSTarga]

Scotts Independant used to mount a very large condensor under the seat area with no fans. I've see several cars with this kit around here and the a/c works VERY well. I think it was about 48 in wide and 18 long. Amazingly it survives quite well there as long as you do no rallying.

[Joeaksa]

RS,

This condensor was marketed under the Performance Aire brand. I used to have one and finally sold it this spring to put a parallel flow condensor in.

[Glenntpr]

balleta- did you get the trunk A/C installed. I have the same interest. Let me know how it turned out.

[wrinkledpants]

Originally Posted by wwest

The factory A/C system is more than adequate in a climate such as we have here in Seattle. The only short-coming the system has in hotter climates is the lack of a consistently high level of airflow through the condensor mounted on the engine lid.

That can be easily corrected via mounting 2 relatively inexpensive (<$50, Ebay) 12 volt radiator cooling fans to move air continuously through, DOWN ("sucking") through, the engine lid condensor even with the engine at idle.

Use a relay to run the fans any time the compressor clutch is engaged.

Not a bad idea to run the fans in low speed, series, even when the compressor clutch is not engaged by the A/C is on.

This guy says the same.exact.crap on every AC thread, never backs up this up with any evidence that his setup works, and will get into petty arguments with all the major vendors out there. Everyone - you've been warned.

[kuehl]

Originally Posted by balleta

Some of us are installing or are in the process of upgrading the A/C.
A friend of mine installed a universal underdash evaporator unit in the trunk and routed the air to the dash outlets. It is an option and does not cost a fortune. I found this article on A/C for a 356 and it goes somewhat in that direction. What you think?

356 Porsche Air Conditioning

If you have the 'knee room' you can find quite a few aftermarket 'all-in-one' Evaporator/TEV/Blower/Vents/Controls units, alike what was used in the 914.
However, you need the knee room or toe room, much easier to do in a 356 or 914.
Naturally, and then you still need the drier, compressor, comp mount, barrier hoses, condenser(s), clamps, wire harness, etc.

[balleta]

Knee space is not interrupted since the unit is in the trunk not inside the car. That was about the route of the 964s blower sytem.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[kuehl]

"'all-in-one" units simply bolt under the dash, hence 'knee room',

you'll never fit a 964/993 entire box in the 911 trunk... easily

[slotmeister]

Originally Posted by RSTarga

Waht you show there is basically what goes in the smugglers box in the 89 and older 911. With the 964 Porsche put the evaporator with 2 fans in the bulkhead area. It is a real improvement in the amount of air it can move. In my 73 the fan is almost always on high, on my 964 it's about halfway. The 964 also took the condensor off above the engine and put it in the left front fender with a fan. Mr. Kuehl (above) is really the expert on upgrading the 911 air conditioning sytems.

Hi guys, first post from Aussie member. (Just realised that "down-under member" doesn't read right ...) Been following the air-con posts closely, as my Jan '89-build 3.2 coupe has a squealing a/c fan motor ... somewhere. Have read about the motors crudding up, but want to know where to find it. My smuggler's box is empty; I suspect I should look behind the passenger footboard. But is it possible that some '89-build 911s got the 964 2-fan setup mentioned above? (My guess is that the 964 is a whole different bulkhead ... ?)

[balleta]

All in one units "usually" are mounted under dash but in this application it goes in the trunk. Then outputs goes to the vents via conducts. Recirculation is provided the same way, one hose at each side of the blowers goes to holes from the cabin. Cabin air flow is improved and with an under the front fender condenser, barrier hoses, etc. the package is complete.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[kuehl]

Oh, I have seen 'in the trunk' evap boxes with blowers; self contained.
Even worked on a few, some were unique and another I recall simply
did not do the job. You can build one too if you want to. They are not an upgrade to a stock system.

You can purchase a used stock evap box system and air tubes and fittings, and just drop it in the smugglers box alike a factory set up.

In either case of a 'in the trunk unit' vs dropping in a factory style unit, you need wiring, controls and vents.

If you have an earlier narrow body car you don't have much room for vents in the dash other than one above the radio. And for factory ac units through 1985 you simply did not have enough vents... Tri-Kuehl Vents

Years ago we designed a system for cars that did not have air. Spent 3 months on trying to perfect the 'perfect' vent arrangement. In the end the original Behr Knee Pad system was the best design, in terms of vent location, number of necessary vents and control location. The cost to duplicate that unit (molds, minimum number of shots off the molds, etc) is not as affordable as simply finding a good used Behr knee pad vent and fixing it up, and locating a good used pre 86 Behr evap box and dropping it in the Smugglers box well and cutting the necessary holes. There was a company that marketed an 'alike' Behr knee pad panel but the quality and design is not as good as a 'good old original'.

[balleta]

I already have a Behr knee pad vent unit. Do you know how compares the "original" smugglers box unit with improved fan motor and a universal under dash unit in terms of CFMs?

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[kuehl]

Use an anemometer

[KelogGes]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

One thing you need to remember is that before I would go the route that the link above shows, I would get a good parallel flow front and rear condensor long before cutting up the front of my car like this.

The single parallel flow condensor shown in the photo on the link is the same size if not smaller than what is on the 911 in its stock configuration. Why go to all this work to end up with a smaller condensor? Only plus I can see is getting more air-flow through this setup...

That would help but only if you have a big enough condensor(s) to cool the gas in the system to where the evap unit can work with it. IMHO the condensor shown in the photo needs to be much bigger, or be paired with an additional one on the car. As is its too small...

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

RS,

This condensor was marketed under the Performance Aire brand. I used to have one and finally sold it this spring to put a parallel flow condensor in.

Did this guy just say this > about; "put a parallel flow condensor in"

Blasphemy & Sacrilege to the promoters of 911 serpentine technology condenser heat exchangers

LoL


Joe I thought you posted several times here you went with Griffiths serpentine condensers!


Hmm has he seen the light???

[KelogGes]

balleta

before you go hacking up any of the body on a 911, you need to think very carefully how it is going to de-value the 911

Also understand that the OEM evaporator with a few smugglers box and evaporator tips and tricks done to it, i.e. availible here in the 911 Pelican tech threads etc; can be made to work pretty good with only a little TLC.

Remember That the most imporant problem on an early model 911 is its condensers for making a cold a/c,

maybe this will help you think a bit differently ICE COLD A/C 30's F

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by KelogGes

balleta

before you go hacking up any of the body on a 911, you need to think very carefully how it is going to de-value the 911

Also understand that the OEM evaporator with a few smugglers box and evaporator tips and tricks done to it, i.e. availible here in the 911 Pelican tech threads etc; can be made to work pretty good with only a little TLC.

Remember That the most imporant problem on an early model 911 is its condensers for making a cold a/c,

maybe this will help you think a bit differently ICE COLD A/C 30's F

Balleta, be careful about the system you select. Reid desperately wants to sell something here, and it may not be the best choice. Make sure you do a lot of research, and talk to a lot of people. Not all systems and components are created equal, and not all of the salesfolk have your best interests at heart.