Installing an air conditioning unit

[omgitrobby]

Does anyone here install an air conditioning unit for a Carrera 3.2? Is there an idea of how much this will cost? The 911 in question doesn't have an AC unit at all just the fresh air blower. We are looking for an estimate or anyone willing to do the work. Any ideas?

[GH85Carrera]

It will be expensive no matter who you hire.

It would help a lot to give a little information. Like where do you live? Downtown LA will likely have a dozen places within a few hours drive that can do it. If you live in northern Nevada you will have a longer drive to find someone.

Your best bet is to start check in the for sale section for the parts needed and call Charlie Griffith at Griffith's technology for a package of what he sells and a list of what parts you will need. Expect to spend 3 or 4 grand.

Are you interested in doing any of the work yourself? That will save you a lot of money.

[Bucketlist]

I installed an a/c in my 1981 SC Turbo last winter. I bought the kit from Retroair and It took about 40hrs to install it myself. Total cost was about $3g. Can't live without it in West Texas. Here is the link to my post:

Retroair complete system in my non a/c car

[wwest]

You might wish to consider "swapping" (trade, sell, however) your car for one that already has A/C, especially if yours is black on black or a close equivalent. Lighter exterior and interior colors help to reject heat from radiation, the sun.

Might be cheaper in the long run.

If you do decide to start from scratch I would strongly advise you to forget the engine lid condenser in favor of ZIMS condenser/fan mounted in the front of the driver's side rear wheelwell.

Depending on your actual requirement for A/C you may not even need the front lip condenser.

In the interim I would suggest side and rear window tint to the darkest legal tint and maybe the new 3M CLEAR IR filtering film for the windshield.

[DWeg1998]

[RSTarga]

You are going to need to get a used smugglers box evaporator box. Apart from that source the rest from Griffiths. Most here want to upgrade the factory unit, probably easier to start from Scratch.
Retroaire makes a kit, but they're under dash unit is not very original unit.
You'll need condensers, compressor, mounting brackets, hoses, receiver drier, evaporator, fan. Vents from Griffiths.
It won't be cheap.

[wwest]

Originally Posted by RSTarga

You are going to need to get a used smugglers box evaporator box. Apart from that source the rest from Griffiths. Most here want to upgrade the factory unit, probably easier to start from Scratch.
Retroaire makes a kit, but they're under dash unit is not very original unit.
You'll need condensers, compressor, mounting brackets, hoses, receiver drier, evaporator, fan. Vents from Griffiths.
It won't be cheap.

Have you read this entirely through??

Single condenser/fan... IMPRESSIVE performance.

Retroair complete system in my non a/c car

[RSTarga]

Originally Posted by wwest

Have you read this entirely through??

Single condenser/fan... IMPRESSIVE performance.

Retroair complete system in my non a/c car

At 80 degrees outside anything will do. Lets wait till its tested at 95+
Been there , done that.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by omgitrobby

Does anyone here install an air conditioning unit for a Carrera 3.2? Is there an idea of how much this will cost? The 911 in question doesn't have an AC unit at all just the fresh air blower. We are looking for an estimate or anyone willing to do the work. Any ideas?

Was there ever an A/C unit in the car?

It is my understanding that all 3.2 cars were equipped with A/C as a
standard package, and not an option.

Maybe you have a car with A/C delete?

Best,

Gerry

[omgitrobby]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

Was there ever an A/C unit in the car?

It is my understanding that all 3.2 cars were equipped with A/C as a
standard package, and not an option.

Maybe you have a car with A/C delete?

Best,

Gerry

How can I tell if it had it from the factory? Its a Euro 1985 if that helps.

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by omgitrobby

How can I tell if it had it from the factory? Its a Euro 1985 if that helps.

A picture of the inside of the smuggler box will help...

[wwest]

Euro..

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by RSTarga

At 80 degrees outside anything will do. Lets wait till its tested at 95+
Been there , done that.

Not this time. That link is impressive. Outstanding install. On par with Ronnie quality . Thankfully it's not Ronnie's car. See below.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

It is my understanding that all 3.2 cars were equipped with A/C as astandard package, and not an option.

Maybe you have a car with A/C delete?

I did just look at one of Peter Morgan's books on the 911. I found where he said the Club Sport 3.2's were not fitted with air conditioning in areas/regions where it was standard equipment.

Not completely clear but does indicate (outside of the US/Canada?) it may be optional.

[Ronnie's.930]

Bob, yer just jelass of all the hanky panky that goes on in my 930 WOOD Panel Luv Wagon - BUTT you can borrow it any time, long time!!!

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by wwest

Have you read this entirely through??

Single condenser/fan... IMPRESSIVE performance.

Retroair complete system in my non a/c car

Wait, you are busting Griff's balls because his stuff is expensive, and yet you endorse this? WTF?

This is exactly the price you'd pay to Griff for similar performance.

[wwest]

Originally Posted by SilberUrS6

Wait, you are busting Griff's balls because his stuff is expensive, and yet you endorse this? WTF?

This is exactly the price you'd pay to Griff for similar performance.

First, I already get "similar" (PNW "wet side") performance just by adding fans to help cool the rear lid condenser, disabling the front lip condenser blower in the process.

So, Griff has nothing to sell that is of value to me.

It's primarily the configuration I'm endorsing, plus being "FROM SCRATCH" installation, no decisions to make about what to keep vs what to discard..

Single condenser at least 1/2 the size of the N/A factory rear lid condenser.

Why is this working this well even in 80dF climate..???



FAN?

Reflective condenser surface?

Evaporator/fan "upgrade"?

[Bucketlist]

Originally Posted by SilberUrS6

Wait, you are busting Griff's balls because his stuff is expensive, and yet you endorse this? WTF?

This is exactly the price you'd pay to Griff for similar performance.

I went to Griff first but he had no kit for a complete install. My 81 ROW SC had no history of ever having a/c. I tried to pick up used parts to complete an install such as evap box, front condenser, front condenser blower (was going to be a problem). The retroair kit is not perfect since it is a universal kit made to fit all Porsche's from mid 70s thru 80s. It worked for me and I am happy with it.

[wwest]

I'll remain anxious to hear the 100dF 80% Rh report.

Coming soon?

[kuehl]

Originally Posted by omgitrobby

Does anyone here install an air conditioning unit for a Carrera 3.2? Is there an idea of how much this will cost? The 911 in question doesn't have an AC unit at all just the fresh air blower. We are looking for an estimate or anyone willing to do the work. Any ideas?

omgitrobby

What you need all comes down to:

Minimum basics, comp mount, comp, stock deck lid condenser plus more depending upon your climate, evap box and evap, barrier hoses, drier, low high pressure switch, controls in center consoles.

If the car never had AC (meaning there is no cut out in the smuggler's box well for the evap box inlets), no ac comp brackets on motor, you are looking at 40 hours. If those items are there 25-30 hours.

As HotEuro pointed out we do not 'stock' all the bolt items simply because the market, number of cars, that never had air and someone wants to add it is minimal. However we have help out clients from time to time sourcing all the necessary items.
In situations like this a client fills out our Question Form which gives us all the data on the car and driving climate needs. We would provide you a detailed list of used items you can source yourself to save money; if we sourced them than naturally there would be a higher cost, and we provide a list of new items we would provide.

Some clients need minimal cooling (Europe and Northern America, say Oregon, Wa, Maine), while others (Florida, Texas, Dubai) need maximum cooling. The costs and time are relative to the cooling needs.

Read the Mr. Ice Project to get an idea as to what improvements might be necessary above a stock system.