Should I 86 the AC ?

[nicfranc]

New owner here.

I was debating whether or not to remove my AC in my 1980 911 Targa.

The compressor makes working on that side of the engine a real pain.

It works but I live in the North East and I will have the Targa top off most of the time I am driving in the summer.

I could always reinstall it down the road if and when I sell the car.

Do most owners of older 911's keep the AC ?

[GH85Carrera]

It all depends on you local climate. No AC is just not an option down south where it is 100+ for months on end. Lots of folks on this BBS will say rip it out and save the weight. I am firmly in the camp of fix the AC to make it blow cold and enjoy you car all summer long. I have driven my 911 to Savannah GA in freaking AUGUST. The heat index was 124 one day. My wife was with me and we were comfortable.

Whatever you decide keep the parts so the next owner can re-install it if they want to.

[Scott R]

The original AC? Remove it, anchor your boat with the compressor.

[gregwils]

Bottom line: It's a personal choice largely influenced by where you live and how you use your car, e.g. pure track car = no AC.

Pros:
- Weight reduction (especially in back)
- Re-plumb dash ducts for fresh air
- Easier access to left side of engine bay
- No maintenance expense for AC

Cons:
- Highway wind noise
- It's hot in the N.E. in July and August when you use your car the most.
- Passenger compartment soaks in heat.
- Reduced resale and/or reduced audience for your car

If you just yank the compressor out and keep it on the shelf it is easy to put it back. If you remove the entire system, putting it back is a much, much larger task.

[ivangene]

wow - makes working on that side SOOO much easier - i am happy I 86'd mine

[nicfranc]

If you just yank the compressor out and keep it on the shelf it is easy to put it back. If you remove the entire system, putting it back is a much, much larger task.[/QUOTE]


Maybe that is the way to go disconnect the compressor and store it until I sell the car.
I am hoping to be sans top most of the time I am driving in warm weather up here in New England.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by nicfranc

The compressor makes working on that side of the engine a real pain.

Learn to work around the compressor. You are new to the car. It takes a while to get the tools and sequence together to remove plugs without it being a nasty chore.

If you adjust the valves the AC compressor is moved out of the way.

You should have to mess with the CIS components rarely once you are sure they are working and all hoses are tight.

What else is over there you need to deal with?

The original AC with an upgrade or two (compressor) and working well ain't that bad in the north.

[nicfranc]

Just cramps up that whole side of the Engine Compartment.
Plus another belt running off the engine.
I guess I am just so used to the naked VW Engine LOL

[wgirardot]

Sounds like you've made up your mind to remove it. Enjoy your car

Bill

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by nicfranc

Just cramps up that whole side of the Engine Compartment.

You won't get the aesthetic you would like just by removing the AC. I did a little powder coating and clean up BUT kept my AC. I will dust it off a bit in there this afternoon and post a pic. CIS is CIS - It is hard to make it look like a jet fighter.

Chill for a year then decide.

I would never try to make my point by attacking other members but FWIW, keep in mind, Ivagene and Scott R are members of a large assortment of 12 step programs.

See the beauty of the green, nicfranc? I can tease people and never ever have to get teased back. That's how it works, right? Guys? Right?

[weseeeee]

As others have mentioned take out the compressor and try no AC this summer. If you find you want it back you can have it up and running in a hour. I also like the clean engine look and would like to take mine out, but living in the south I can't bring myself to do it.

[nicfranc]

Thanks for everyone's input……... what a great community.

I am feeling a bit less overwhelmed being a first time owner of a 32 year old 911

Between this board and the Bentley manual and the 101 book I can begin to tackle some of the projects.

I will start with a basic tune up and see how well I can get the engine running.
This will give me a base line to work from and a good way to get familiar with the machine.

I then can access some of the other systems and see what needs attention or
what I can upgrade.

This is a rolling project but I am keeping the car garaged for most of the winter with the occasional test drive on warmer winter days.

One big advantage I have is the Original owner lives only half mile away so I can always ask him what he addressed over the years.

[Scott R]

That's an upgraded A/C compressor with the correct fittings even. Looks like someone put some time and money into that install. Does the system work? There may be some other upgraded goodies in the system as well. Based on the picture that's a keeper.

[nicfranc]

Originally Posted by Scott R

That's an upgraded A/C compressor with the correct fittings even. Looks like someone put some time and money into that install. Does the system work? There may be some other upgraded goodies in the system as well. Based on the picture that's a keeper.

I am slowly finding that this car was well maintained and there have been a number of upgrades.
Maybe my projects will be fewer than I thought.

The owner really did not want to sell it but he was retired and was downsizing.

[Nickshu]

I live in a slightly different climate than you, but still have warm summers and cold winters.

I removed my A/C compressor 12 years ago. For 12 years I never once missed it. So a couple months ago I removed the rest of the A/C.

I use the car for fun, track, around town. For these uses I never missed A/C. If you plan to use your 911 for daily driving or long summer road trips then I would consider keeping it.

[kyle242gt]

OP, I started a similar thread a few months ago. Much handwringing and fingerpointing.

For me, I got the system to function properly, if not effectively, for free. Stopped short of putting a charge in it, but I might next spring.

Reason was - it was simple enough to fix, the car is still complete and original, and if I sell it in a couple years, the value should have held up better.

If you're keeping it till you die, or it's a track whore, or it's already a basket case, then hack away.

[Craig_D]

My engine bay looked very similar so I ditched the A/C (completely), the cruise control, and the aux heater fan with hoses when I backdated the heaters and added SSI headers. The engine bay is now MUCH cleaner looking and easier to work on.

Mind you, I live in the very dry climate of Colorado and even on the hottest summer days, I just point to the mountains for some cool air.

If you must have A/C I would upgrade to a modern kit that uses some of the stock system. But if you can do without, it's a LOT of heavy weight taken off the rear of the engine.

Here's a pic after A/C removal and backdated heat.

[Reiver]

No AC and backdated heat in my '83....hey, there's a motor under there! I live in Az and could care less....people did actually live prior to AC (but they weren't as fat or soft

[Charles Freeborn]

Pulled it from mine right off the bat. If it's hot, pop the top.
-C

[JTL]

I'm thinking about resurrecting my a/c. My car is unbearably hot without cooling here in NC during the summer and as an added factor my car has black interior. It was pretty much parked for this past July-August.
Looking at all new parts for ~$1K + time to install. Hate to spend $ on that but...

I wouldn't bother with this up north.