A/C up grades on my 911

[LCOX]

Looking for some advice on possible A/C up grades on my 80 911sc. The previous owner has upgraded to the rotary style compressor. Anything else I can do to get colder air which is only cool at this time. The system is full of freon and has been checked for leaks.

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Hello - I'm including a link to one of our DIY tech articles on the A/C system below. I hope it helps you out a bit. We have other articles as well; if you're looking for more info on the system.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/101_Projects_Porsche_911/45-AC_Systems/45-AC_Systems.htm

https://www.pelicanparts.com/911/911tech_articles.htm

[Jgordon]

Nothing you do will make a difference until you replace your lines. The old hoses leak and will lose any refrigerant you put in them.

Call Griff.

https://griffiths.com/porsche/

[GH85Carrera]

The old lines will indeed leak. It will require a recharge every spring with to old lines.

I did the Griffiths technologies upgrade and added two additional condensers. New lines and I replaced my evaporator as well. If your evaporator is original, it likely is covered in dirt and may be restricting the performance a lot. It ain't a cheap system upgrade.

It is top quality parts and the best instruction of anything on the planet. Simply stellar step by step instructions.

With no reservations I will say it is the best upgrade or repair I have done on my 911 in the 20+ years I have owned it, and I have done virtually everything there is to do to it.

[Missed Approach]

Hi LCOX- As both GH85 and JGordon stated, Griff is awesome. Regardless, see my link attached (upgrades to the existing system). 1986 A/C Repair and Overview Please note I do see Freon loss every Spring since I have not (yet) upgraded to his hoses. FYI- His center vent upgrade would potentially be a huge help for you, as your '80 has very small side & center dash vents.

[roblav]

Open the windows... or get a 996 or newer version.

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Originally Posted by roblav

Open the windows... or get a 996 or newer version.

Oh really? I have a 1987 Turbo and have built the system to produce 28 degree vent temps, and with much improved fan airflow, on 95+, high humidity TexAss days.

[78-911SC]

You might want to take a look at this thread. A good option.
Classic Retrofit: Lightweight Electric Air Conditioning

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by roblav

Open the windows... or get a 996 or newer version.

Open windows do nothing but make wind noise on 100+ degree days. I drove around in Savannah, GA in August with high 90s temps and high 90s humidity. The heat index was 135! It is really wonderful to have a classic 911 and I can drive it all summer long in comfort.

I drove from Oklahoma City, to Monterey, CA a couple of years ago. It was 118 in Needles, CA. I did not break a sweat. My wife will ride with me on summer trips and she actually asked me to turn the temperature UP when we were in Savannah because she was cold!

AC works great as defrosters on hot summer days when I drive in the rain.

[sigchuck]

I bought an SC that had the Griffiths kit installed 5+ years ago and it's still working great. You're still limited by the fact there's only two vents, both in the middle of the car, but the air blowing out of them is very cold. Not the same feeling as a modern vehicle with a plethora of vents, but I think it's pretty good for a 35 year old Porsche.

[pavegeno]

Go Griffith's. Coming up on 10 years in my 1988 Cab and still ice cold.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Jgordon

Nothing you do will make a difference until you replace your lines.

Hold on for just a little second. That's not a fair summation.

If I was drunk on my ask, I could give you five potential improvements without breaking the bank. Clean and sober for 12 hours, probably nine. A stretch but Charlie is always there to help with advice and stout kit. Keep that in your hip pocket.

How about clean the bottom of your evaporator off from the hole in the driver's foot well? You got fuzz a-plenty on that thing.

Seal your evap housing and assure that flow to the vents is unrestricted and leak free.

Vacuum down your system properly, with extreme prejudice. Enter refrigerant in a manner that is similar to that Charlie discusses in Discseven's thread from hell. What you said about full refrigerant is meaningless right now based on lack of pressure readings.

Replace R/D if you bust it open

Buy a robust evap fan from Charlie. I think that alone will make a difference.

Make sure your front condenser fan is working.

If you are in Phoenix or Houston, all of the above will give you 5+ degree vent temp reduction unless front condenser fan is dead, then a few more. It ain't enough for those locations.

Where you be?