A/C installation?

[Doug Crooms]

What are options for adding A/C to a non a/c 914 with 2.0L ? Which compressors are upgrades over stock? What about hoses? brackets, etc? TIA.

Doug

[Rouser]

Do a search on the topic; it was recently covered.

[Doug Crooms]

Actually, I did that but didn't find anything significant from 914 section. Maybe I should use a different search term. Any suggestion?

Doug

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/search.php?action=showresults&searchid=668974&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

[Rouser]

How about this?

[Doug Crooms]

Thanks Dave for the link but, maybe I'm blind or something - almost all info is from the 911 forum and not 914 specific. One guy has installed an A/C with modern parts but no update with specs as he promised in his earliest post on the subject. (twin condisors, Sanden compressors) It gets too hot down here in Texas to drive one of these as a daily car without A/C (if you don't have to) - I did it in '95 & '96.

Doug

[Doug Crooms]

Awe, thanks Rouser I just sent a PM to sstine9 - he seems to have the most recent update on A/C...

Doug

[Va914]

I am adding A/C to my '74 now.

The options out there are:
1) Find all the pieces to a dealer installed system and install it in to you teener ($400-$600)
2) Buy an updated universal aftermarket A/C system from someone like Vintage air. ($800-$1000)

I am installing a dealer installed system into my 914. I am upgrading to a Sanden compressor (you will need a bracket adapter), new hoses, new fan, new drier, new binary switch, and will be using R134a.

The evap and condenser will be the original ones used for the dealer installed system. The condenser will be upgraded at some point in the future

Cheers
Kerry

[John2kx]

Doug,

I just installed a modern a/c system in my '73. It is a v8 converted car but should be little difference in mounting to a stock 914.

The evaporator (underdash unit) is much narrower than what the dealers installed but a little thicker. This piece also houses the heater core for water cooled engines.

Condensor (thing that looks like a radiator) is mounted up front but in front of my radiator. It has its own fan, relay and triggered by a hi/low switch installed on dryer. I moved dryer from original location (fender well) to bulkhead in front of fuel tank. No real reason other than to make it easier for my a/c guy to route hoses and my front trunk is already lost to a host of other pieces/parts (radiator, fans, shroud, battery etc.) I'm no a/c expert but think using this same part as it was installed back in the day should work fine (hole in floor of front trunk covered by box and open at bottom). If your not a CW, it might give better performance if you had better forced airflow through condensor similar to what a car with front mounted oil cooler.

All hose routing is the same as dealer installed unit. My car came with dealer installed a/c back in '73 and all holes drilled into/out of cabin and longs. were reused.

Compressor is a Sanden unit using 134. High/low switch on dryer protects compressor and evaporator.

I know what you mean about the heat in Texas. We have the same here in Georgia and humidity usually hovers around 98% year round. I was a little skeptical after seeing how small the evaporator was and the fact that it only came with two ducts vs. the 4 or so on the old unit. The new unit has a 3 speed fan with reostat for controlling temperature. My first test drive took place about 3 weeks ago. Temperatures outside were near 87F with 90% humidity. I left the a/c shop and after a couple of miles, I was reaching for the fan controls since it was getting too cold in cabin. So far I've been pleased with the setup and would not hesitate to do the whole process over again. BTW, my a/c kit came from Renegade Hybrids. The cost of system would be different for a air cooled car due to the parts installed on front of my engine needed to mount compressor via serpentine belt.

Pics of my setup can be viewed on 914.club and listed as "a/c install in a v8" or something close to that.


John

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Originally posted by Doug Crooms
Thanks Dave for the link but, maybe I'm blind or something - almost all info is from the 911 forum and not 914 specific.

When I looked at the thread listing, it all came from the 914 forum... Hmm, the search link may not be completely unique, then? Sorry about that.

--DD

[Doug Crooms]

Thanks for all the help!

Doug

[3D914]

Doug,

In one of those posting, I included a wiring diagram from the A/C I installed on my 74 2.0. If you have other questions, or can't find the posting, send me a PM (private message) or email me at the link below and I'll get one to you.

Regards,

[sstine9]

check out europeancoolercar.com I bought a system from them for my non a/c 914 and it is sweet

[914GT]

sstine9 - can you post a working URL for that company? Thanks...

[sstine9]

www.europeancoolercar.com

[Special K]

I believe it's:

www.europeancoolerair.com

[914GT]

That's better. Thanks.