a/c compressor kit from Griffiths

AA_Ezra · 06-09-2008, 03:22 PM

Has anyone had any expierence with the compressor kit from griffiths or a similar kit. I've just about had it with my ac system only working during the summer after a re-charge and it's harder and harder to find shops that have r-12. So i'm just about going to bite the bullet and have that griffiths kit installed if it fits correctly.

And on a side note anyboey have any recomendations or an idea how much a shop would charge to replace with this kit.

Thanks ( going to call up griffiths tomorow morning to order the kit hot weather is here tomorow)

bud9344 · bud9344's Garage

What is wrong with the Compressor on the car.
I just convert mine to R134 with the original compressor

--------------
Bud

AA_Ezra · 06-09-2008, 03:59 PM

The shop was unable to get the correct fittings without taking it to another shop to fabricate something to make it work

mattdavis11 · 06-09-2008, 04:35 PM

It's a complete waste of money to go with anything other than the stock compressor. Find another a/c shop that is competent, and take them the shorter belt while you are at it.

hpservertech · 06-09-2008, 05:48 PM

Find another shop that knows what they are doing. The one you went to obviously doesn't know what they are doing.

AA_Ezra · 06-09-2008, 09:32 PM

well. they did recomend another shop to fabricate something to make it work but. I i do have oily residue near the hoses that go to the condensor so, while im in there i might as well upgrade.

aj951 · 06-10-2008, 05:51 AM

I installed the Griffiths kit on my car last summer and I have been pleased with it. My local shop wanted $2,100 to do a similar retrofit of an aftermarket compressor so I decided to do it myself for 1/3 of the cost. I decided to go with an aftermarket compressor because my factory compressor was toast. The kit comes with the 1" shorter belt and all of the hoses and fittings that you need. The instructions are easy to follow but you will need to cut/grind one mounting ear off of the compressor to clear the front sway bar.

A.J.

onZedge · 06-10-2008, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aj951

...The instructions are easy to follow but you will need to cut/grind one mounting ear off of the compressor to clear the front sway bar...

Wouldn't that void the warranty (if any)??

dsalillas · 06-10-2008, 09:05 AM

Today, actually as soon as i'm done posting this, I will be installing a brand new Sanden unit. I got the kit from Vertex for $379 and a dryer for another $18 Vertex Link.

This was the best price I found for a a complete kit. It came with all the hoses, mounting hardware and detailed instructions.

Harbor freight has a sale on AC vaccums for $10.99. I think I paid $16 for one before they went on sale. The also have AC manifolds on sale for $39. Can't find the link for it but its on the mailout flyer. Heres the link for the vaccum.Harbor Frieght link.

AA_Ezra · 06-10-2008, 09:31 AM

whats wrong with the griffiths kit?

AA_Ezra · 06-10-2008, 09:31 AM

whats wrong with the griffiths kit?

aj951 · 06-10-2008, 09:47 AM

It doesn't void the warranty, the instructions tell you to remove the ear. I believe the compressor fits more than one application and this step is needed for the 944.

What I liked about the Griffiths kit was it included a new high side hose with the fittings that connect from the new compressor to the condenser without any splices. The low side connection hose does however have to be spliced into the existing low side hose of the car. All of the other kits that I looked at, you had to splice both the high side and low side.

A.J.

dsalillas · 06-10-2008, 11:09 AM

the Sanden kit has a complete low side hose but the high side you have to splice.

aj951 · 06-10-2008, 01:14 PM

That is interesting because the low side runs from the compressor back to the firewall connecting to the evaporator coil. That line is not easy to replace.

A.J.

bud9344 · bud9344's Garage

I think, I have a griffiths kit when I bought my 86 951. The compressor was making some noise and it get louder as it been running for a while. I was going to get another compressor. It will cost me 400 plus the drier. And when I check an replacement Sanden compressor cost 300 (if I have have a Sanden kit on the car). The only problem with both kit I see is installing the belt on the compressor which groove you use so it will line up. If the belt is not line up it will wear the belt. It seem both compressor have two extra groove. my suggestion is, for future references keep the Instruction in your clove box.
I end up replacing mine with the original compressor from my part car which I know I did replace the compressor and also it have a new hose comp to condensor. I don't have to worry about lining up the belt.
For the older car it might be good to use the kits, then you can access the low side easier.
Good Luck guys and Peace

---------------------------------------
Bud

87 930 black
86 951 black
86 944 N/A red part car
87 944S white
83 944 N/A white Auto
83 944 N/A black

dsalillas · 06-10-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsalillas

the Sanden kit has a complete low side hose but the high side you have to splice.

My mistake it was the line from the compressor to the condenser that it comes with.

AA_Ezra · 06-10-2008, 09:25 PM

well. Griffiths wasen't answering the phone so i was lucky enough to have a smith auto parts that had the 90 degree elbo fitting for r12 to r134a and somone was kind enough to post the part number from napa about the shorter belt ( i have a short belt somonewhere from my first attempt). If i am successful i'll post some pictures of how the project went.

But please keep puting in extra input b/c it all helps.