AC Delete Dilemma, or not

[Brokentoy]

I am ready to put the 74 Carrera on the road, and want to delete the AC entirely, and in fact already took the compressor and bracket off of the car.
I am a factory stock stickler when it comes to originality on most cars, but feel like the 911 AC is best used on a shelf (worthless).
Will removal hurt the cars long term value?
I plan on keeping all of the removed parts, but even that seems overly cautious.
Does anyone even care?
To those who removed it, did you keep it or pitch it?

[zedsn]

If it were me I would box up the bracket, compressor and condenser but leave the hoses on and ends covered and keep it on the garage shelf just in case.

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by Brokentoy

I am ready to put the 74 Carrera on the road, and want to delete the AC entirely, and in fact already took the compressor and bracket off of the car.
I am a factory stock stickler when it comes to originality on most cars, but feel like the 911 AC is best used on a shelf (worthless).
Will removal hurt the cars long term value?
I plan on keeping all of the removed parts, but even that seems overly cautious.
Does anyone even care?
To those who removed it, did you keep it or pitch it?

Absolutely, - many 911 owners care (particularly ones living in hot climates and ones that actually drive these cars). The stock a/c is not powerful "as is", but can be made to function at a very high level with some money and work - aka, the stock system is a good starting point for excellent a/c once modified; removing it will definitely limit your future buying pool and thus, hurt long-term value without a doubt.

Lots of fun discussion on the topic in this, not-to-old thread.

Price effect -- AC delete and rolled fenders

[Taxi!]

As long as you have room to store it, what's the harm in keeping it after you remove it? You know the old saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." I deleted mine, but kept everything.

[zippy_gg]

Whatever you decide you will have a 50/50 chance to get it right!

[Craig_D]

I've got a '78 911 SC hot rod-ish and I removed the entire AC system. It's in a few large tuperware boxes, and you can hurt your back lifting them...it's heavy stuff.

A few things I considered:
- I wanted to make this 911 all mine and wasn't sticking with stock
- I live in Colorado, which can get hot, but it's very dry, and the mountains are very close (so if I need AC, I drive into the mountains)

The only time it really hurts with the AC delete is if the car sits in the sun, when I get in, it's a hot box. A good AC would be able to cool it enough to turn it off and let the wind do the rest.

Otherwise, I'm happy with the AC delete. Car handles like it's on rails, and the simplified engine bay is much nicer! (I also backdated the heat, so I got rid of all of the heater hoses and the extra weight there as well.)

You could just keep it boxed up for the next owner.

Cheers,

- Craig_D

[timmy2]

I deleted the dealer (or whomever) installed A/C and boxed it all up.
My car was purchased in Germany and brought over where the A/C was added at some point.
Belly cooler and rear wheel well condensor with nothing in the engine bay but the compressor and a fan to direct air into the wheel well ducting. Neat set up, but wasn't working and Oregon is a 10 month A/C free state!


Is yours an option from the factory or installed after it arrived in the US?

[bhmkv]

I removed my AC. It's in a box. It does get warm in CT, but that's what windows are for.

[Coastr]

What Ronnie said.

Unless it's a club racer get it working and enjoy driving all year round, and find a better resale.

[911tracker85]

leave the hoses on and ends covered

I pulled the AC on my 85 seveal years ago when using it for DE/street. what I determined is the old hoses were leaking. so if I ever want AC in this car, will install a complete new systems with all new hoses so it actually WORKs....

got all the stuff in boxes on the shelf. now that I retired it and mostly reverted to a street car, am considering putting AC back once I get farther along with my 930 build.

[911tracker85]

PS. as an interim with the 911 morphing into a DE/street hot rod, I got a 928 to be my driver, rebuilt the AC and blows ICE COLD. was able to find R12 at the time.

but it is for sale now so considering putting AC back in the 911.

[hoss4659]

Back in the 80's I had a '74 Carrera Targa in which a PO had installed a 3.0 SC engine. Worked well with the early exhaust. I was living in SoCal and felt no need for the AC. Lots of POC time trials with the car and wanted to delete the weight. Big hole in the smuggler's box wall for the evaporator out put. Patched this with some aluminum sheet, painted matte black. Hauled the major AC parts to several swap meets but no buyers. Left the hardware in a dumpster at the last swap meet.

[Nick Triesch]

Keep the AC. When you sell the car you will have more buyers plain and simple. And you will sell the car. We all will sooner or later. If you do delete your AC, your car will then be almost as fast as a new Subaru family wagon!

[Tony V]

When I bought my '74 911 Targa one of the selling points was the well working AC. Everything had been upgraded including the hoses. Makes long drives much more pleasant. My only issue was the horrible vents that replaced the knee pads. I think they look unsightly. I removed them and installed a center console. I moved the switches to the console and added a couple of vents. Reinstalled original knee pads and think it looks pretty clean. Plenty of cool air coming out of these vents and I think they were $30 for both. C-clamp was to hold the plastic filler plate while the glue set.

[Mick_D]

I like this setup a lot. Is the center console the only place the a/c comes out or do the side vents on the dash come into play too?

Originally Posted by Tony V

When I bought my '74 911 Targa one of the selling points was the well working AC. Everything had been upgraded including the hoses. Makes long drives much more pleasant. My only issue was the horrible vents that replaced the knee pads. I think they look unsightly. I removed them and installed a center console. I moved the switches to the console and added a couple of vents. Reinstalled original knee pads and think it looks pretty clean. Plenty of cool air coming out of these vents and I think they were $30 for both. C-clamp was to hold the plastic filler plate while the glue set.

[gomezoneill]

Completely removed my A/C from my 82 SC no regrets vastly improves the engine compartment and front storage area. Lost 48 pounds to boot. I have a 85 Carrera next in line.

Addendum : I live half way up NY state not too many hot day's.

[Tony V]

Mick,
AC air only comes out from the console vents. On the '74 the little side vents are activated via the ventilation controls on the dash. Air comes out of those when in the defrost mode. I do find the ac clears up foggy windows much faster than the regular defroster.

[Green6]

When I got my SC a couple of years ago the PO had already removed the complete AC system. He offered me a large box of the removed parts [about 50 lbs], but I didn't take it knowing I would never re-install it. I tend to keep my cars longterm, and didn't want the box sitting in the garage for the next 10-20 years for the next owner. The few hundred bucks the parts might be worth weren't worth the hassle. I don't really care about long term value, I bought it to be used by me.

It does get hot and humid here during the summer, but generally not an issue with windows and sunroof open while driving. Only time there's an issue is when you first get in when it's parked in the sun, especially with a black interior. The few times when AC is an issue [mostly for passengers] the M3 and Tacoma both have AC that work well.

[lada03]

I bought my 80 SC 3 years ago from a PO who removed and boxed up the AC compressor and front and rear Condensers. I live in Chicago, and between the sunroof and windows I get plenty of breeze in the summer.

As far as the AC, it was in boxes in storage for a few years and last week I decided to sell it off since I wont be putting it back in the car (sooo heavy)

already sold the compressor, have the condensers left

[Lake Guy]

I picked up my 84 Targa last year. This past winter I pulled out all of the AC parts and hoses and associated stuff. It's all boxed up in the garage like many of said, just in case. I know it will never go back in but couldn't throw it out - I'm like that. I really enjoy roof off driving anyway most of the time so it probably a moot point even if the AC worked. Add to the fact I live in Northwest BC and it becomes completely pointless. Like one of the other comments above said, my car, my way is how I see it.

Enjoy yours any way that makes you happy but nothing wrong with having options later (box of ac parts) if you have the space.