a/c upgrade options

E Ray · 04-02-2002, 05:37 AM

The weather is warming up so now its time to get serious about fixing the a/c. the car is a ’78 930 (euro), the previous owner removed and lost the original compressor, the deck lid condenser is damaged, hoses are original. I have been looking at the setup sold by Griffiths, rotary compressor, barrier hoses, their rear fender mounted condenser, “kuehl” vent. I am thinking with the additional condenser I can eliminate the rear deck condenser (bigger intercooler someday). Has any body done this? Any body have experience with the Griffiths products. Any other suggestions? And no totally removing the a/c is not an option at this point in life.

Eric

E Ray · 04-03-2002, 03:08 PM

Anyone?

adamnitti · adamnitti's Garage

e ray-

i'm curious about that stuff, too. i'm getting ready to get mine back in order. hopefully someone in the know with the griffiths stuff will post... the condenser replacement sounds interesting.

Jack Olsen · 04-07-2002, 05:33 PM

If the car isn't regularly tracked, then the under-belly passive condenser is a very smart investment. I think Griffiths sells them.

In my opinoin, the inherent shortcomings of the 911's AC system are best met with massive overcompensation wherever possible.

Joeaksa · 04-07-2002, 05:37 PM

Jack,

I have seen and talked with a SC driver in Tucson who has the underbody unit. Looked nice and he really liked it, but I really am not keen on drilling holes in my floorpan and you do lose about an inch of ground clearance.

Has anyone used the mod that Griffiths uses in the right rear fender? I tried to get pricing and more info from Griff last year and kept getting the "not ready, keep in touch" emails from him so gave up.

Would really like to see if this works as well but really wonder with the lack of good airflow in this area and wonder about putting more weight in the rear of the car.

Joe

expatriot98 · 04-07-2002, 07:00 PM

I just took delivery of a Procooler receiver/dryer to install in my SC's AC system. It's supposed to lower the vent temps up to 20 degrees plus add life to the compressor through much lower head pressure. If it works as promised, I'll be a happy, cool camper come July.

Here's the link http://www.procooler.com/default0.htm to their site. They are located here in a Dallas burb. The owner of the company, Ron Maxwell, even delivered the Procooler to my house and gave me a short course in AC. Really nice guy - builds hot rods for people too.

I'll give an update when it's installed.
Mark

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Eric,

Here's my humble contribution to removing the Bowtie: My Center Vent Kit. Being able to close that vent also improved flow to my dash vents. My '87 does have larger vents. In this thread is reference to products from Performance Aire.

Happy Cooling!

Don

pirin911 · 04-08-2002, 08:14 AM

Hi:

Can anyone explain a little more about the Bowtie, where is located, what do i have to remove or close? I have a 85 Carrera and here in Puerto Rico the heat is high.

Thanks for your attention.

Francisco Soto

Joeaksa · 04-08-2002, 08:31 AM

Francisco,

The "bowtie" is located on the wall inbetween where your feet are and the trunk area, and is directly in-line with your console. If you look at the posting Don did it will show you a picture of the area where the bowtie is located.

Take a small allen wrench and remove the two screws holding it on. Takes minutes and results in a lot more cool air entering the interior.

There are various new vents that help to direct the cold air but some are expensive and I would look into making a vent like Don has shown above.

Joe

pirin911 · 04-09-2002, 08:18 AM

Thanks JoeA.

I found it.

Steve W · Steve W's Garage

I have the bowtie vent replacement kit from Performance Aire. Works great however one thing I learned from this kit that can be applied to the bowtie removal thing that Joe mentions without costing any money is to install another plastic tube of the same size adjacent about an inch or two to the existing one to increase cool air flow volume. Performance Aire found this to provide the equilibrium point of maximum volume and air velocity. This will keep your cabin a few degrees cooler, and blow volumes more cool air at you. Get a plastic tube the same diameter as the current one, preferably black, a hole saw bit of the same O.D., bore through the firewall with the bit, then continue on and bore into the bulkhead. Cut the plastic tube to length, and silicone it into the holes into place. It would help to bore the holes for the new tube in the direction of the driver's thighs.

88911coupe · 04-09-2002, 11:18 AM

I may have posted this info before but FWIW, Louden's here in Dallas put an underbody evaporator on a friends '89 Turbo and she says the a/c is bone chilling cold now. Dallas summers are as bad as anyplace I have seen so it's probably the best solution. Pretty pricey at $1100, though I suspect it could be done for less. It does seem to be exposed but so far no problems.
Later,

Joeaksa · 04-09-2002, 08:46 PM

Performance Aire in CA has the underbody condensors for $495 I believe. Lots of labor there and only two extra hoses to fit into the system.

For the extra $600 its worth giving Dianna a call!

Joe

911nut · 911nut's Garage

I couldn't find Performance Aire with a web search. Does anyone have a phone number or internet address for them?

E Ray · 04-10-2002, 08:38 AM

If any one is interested the pricing I got out of Griffiths is
Their compresser, hose and reciever/dryer kit for R134 runs $1041.00, the Kuehl condenser is an additional $1060.00, add their vent $139.00, they seem willing to cut a deal if you purchase the whole package, still seems a bit on the $$ side.

I asked Preformance Aire, what the have to offer, looks like there is some positive feed back on their product out there.

Performance Aire (714) 634-9184 (Anaheim CA), there web site is www.scottsind.com

Eric