An open Letter to Mr. Kuehl Charlie Griffiths

[NY65912]

Dear Charlie,

I have just completed the installation (today was charging day) and I am thrilled to say, I HAVE ICE COLD AC!

I have grinned and beared it for 13 years of no AC in my all black 85 M491. I bit the bullet this past winter and installed the Mr. Ice kit that you recommended.

I was able to salvage the decklid condenser, added your front condenser, evap, barrier hoses, bought a rebuilt compressor and of course the Duel Kuehl rear fender condenser kit. I have been working on cars and trucks since I was a kid, I'm 60. I have been in the industrial plumbing, heating, fire supression and mechanical industry for the past 38+ years, so I understand how things work. I have never done any AC work on cars in all those years.

I purchased the best tools I could afford to complete the install. I purchased a Robinair 2 stage vac pump, an electronic refrigerant scale, a Yellow Jacket service set and a Yellow Jacket electronic micron gauge. I wanted to complete the job on my own and not go to someone else to perform the charging. Oh, I also bought a 30 lb bottle of R134A, and adapted the service set to a 4 hose set up.

I had one little scare. After pulling a vacuum the system would lose vacuum after a few hours. I then used nitrogen to pressurize the system. The system was able to hold 100 psi after 7 days. After doing some research I found that there are instances where the lip seal on the compressor shaft can leak vacuum but not pressure. I checked every joint, used bubbles, I even bought a Robinair electronic leak detector to find the elusive leak that I thought I must have. End result, no leaks. I was able to vac down to 500 microns (CORRECTION) and did multiple sweeps with nitrogen and the last sweep with refrigerant.

So today was the day. I took the car out for a little spin to get her warmed up. I checked the temp and humidity, 93 deg ambiient and 23% humidity with a digital meter.

I wound up putting in 41 oz and I now have 36 degree air coming out of my vents, yes, I added a center vent kit too, EXCELLENT idea.

Now I will be able to use my car more often and my wife (and I) will be much, much more comfortable while enjoying my pride and joy!

Griff, I just wanted to thank you for creating AC solutions that really work. And of course, your help and guidence throughout this very satisfying project.

Thanks, Mike

[DanS911]

$?

[ganun]

Great news, what took you so long.... Question, how long did it take to get to 250 microns, when I did mine I stopped at 500. Just curious.
Congrats

[NY65912]

Crap, I am sorry. It was 500 microns. I can't see as well as I used to.

I pulled the vac for 4 hours before the last sweep.

3k plus tools and time.

[tito911s]

+1 -- hope to do this project and would like to know time/money it took.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tomdeg]

Charlie is awesome. I put a system in my 930. Not only was he a pleasure to work with, his stuff delivers. Cold A/C is possible in an air cooled Porsche!

[NY65912]

Here is my text from another thread.

I just completed the Kuehl AC upgrade. Here's what I learned. I worked with the car on 4 good jackstands in a 1 car garage. I had 30" between the driver's side and the wall, 18" on the passanger side, 18" in front and if the garage door was closed 18" in the rear. I worked slow and methodical.

I replaced the evap, drier all hoses, front condenser, added the Duel Kuehl rear wheeelwell condensers and a new compressor in approx 24 hrs total time over 2 months.

The main pieces of advice are:
1 - READ the manual Charlie supplies and read it again. It is exact.
2 - Try to fish the new lines behind the windshield washer tank or if you remove it empty it! Trying to reinstall a full tank on my M491 car was not fun.
3 - Call or email Charlie with any question and he will promptly answer. I think he takes a little longer to answer smoke signals.
4 - Yes, it can be dirty, very dirty. Wear safety glasses
5 - Did I mention reading the manual?

Every thing becomes self explanitory as you go. One step at a time.

[gsxrken]

Great post Mike. I know exactly how you feel:

Griffith's AC upgrade for 930 install thread

Probably doubles my use of the car.

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Butt, butt, butt . . . I heard that serpentine cores and conventional refrigerant routing was obsolete?!?!?!



PS To Mike - yep, it feels great (both literally and figuratively) to build a/c in a 911 that will freeze yer ballz off even in very hot weather. Excellent work right thar, and Griff's contributions/selfless knowledge sharing here is invaluable!

[jjeffries]

I can completely relate: I have a black 82 SC Coupe that I bought two years ago with the engine out/apart. I saw when I first looked at the car the tell-tale Griffiths stickers on the barrier hoses, plus a Sanden compressor and dual SPAL fans in the tail. I rebuilt the engine and got it running last fall (2015) but didn't put the compressor belt on until I'd done the first valve adjustment a month ago.

Then I found that the a/c not only worked, but worked well. It hasn't been touched in four years so would probably work even better with an evac and recharge. Like the gentleman said previously, it transforms the car. And the sap on the engine's power, when the compressor us running, seems minimal.

I often scratch my head when I see guys ripping out their a/c in search of that ultimate sports-purpose look, but then again I like my sunroof, too, and my door pockets. Consider me an old fart who enjoys comfort. Mr. Griffith's products work well and are durable.

John in CT

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Rawknees'Turbo

Butt, butt, butt . . . I heard that serpentine cores and conventional refrigerant routing was obsolete?!?!?!

Not quite yet.

Happy for NY65' Good job!

[ab1752]

I bought my 89 Carrera knowing the AC had been removed and then contacted Kuehl for a "reliability kit" since I am in a moderate climate. Turns out I also needed the deck lid condenser, mount for the compressor and the fan in the very front was seized...Charlie found me a NOS deck lid condenser with the notch for the rear wiper but I had to such up the cost for the other items from Porsche as the previous owner simply threw the parts out. Anyway I turned this job over to a shop who I trust and they did the entire install in a few days' time. I picked up the car last Friday and it works perfectly and I am super impressed...the budget was smashed to bits as budgets tend to be but I am pleased that my car has excellent and reliable AC. Kudos to Charlie from Vancouver, BC!

[NY65912]

I still can't believe how cold it blows!

All in all this was a very painless install. Charlie's instructions and the fact that each hose fell right into place made this a fun project.

Now, it's time to plan a few outings!

[Cairo94507]

I am sure I will get blasted for this, but I wish Mr. Kuehl made an AC system to fit in the 914. I would love AC in my 3.2 Six.

[T77911S]

just ordered hoses yesterday for my 930.
I have had the coils pressure tested for leaks and all are good.
going back with stock system and perhaps 134.

I don't drive the car when it is real hot so I don't need wicked cold AC, my 325is freezes me enough. I also want to see what the stock system will do.
I did consider r12 since I have some but have been talked out of it.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by NY65912

...Charlie's instructions and the fact that each hose fell right into place made this a fun project.

With all the crap being produced today... add to that sh** instructions and parts that don't fit... "GODZILLA'S" products, instructions, and tech support are indeed to be highly respected. My compliments to CG as well.

[speednme1]

Great system, Charlie is even greater person to talk to in person. Worth every penny.

[gtc]

But were the gases reversed?

[NY65912]

And.....there is no trinary or quadary switch either! Just freakin cold air!!!