Classic Retrofit AC in a 1965-68 911?

[Nditiz1]

I'm not sure why you are so driven on the sanden. I don't even think griffiths runs that compressor. Speaking of which I guarantee your beloved belt driven Sanden is not pumping 32F at the vents on a 104F day with the 2 stock condensers so just stop. Currently the best in the biz for belt driven is whatever griffiths is pushing for those temps. They have 4, FOUR, foouuurrrr condensers to get ice cold out of the vents. Wonderful, we were able to achieve the correct "pressure" to get 32 out the vents with ambient, oh crap, why is my cabin not cooling down in heat soak. That's right I need to update my cfm blower to a hurricane (griffiths). Wait still not as cold now, that's right I need to update to the larger evaporator. So yeah I guess if you change everything that is old with modern things and add as many condensers as you can possibly fit on a car you will get the "pressures" you desire.

But for us customers that don't want to add a belt driven and want to cool the cabin the CR is fine. Not the best AC option, but the best beltless, 100% reversible option.

[tsuter]

"Originally Posted by tsuter View Post
.
There is no reason in these cars to use a 12V compressor."

I stand corrected...very well... There is no COOLING reason to use a 12V compressor....

[simonjb]

Coming back to the OP, I am in the same boat, as I also understand a number of other SWB folks are. Until we get some detailed installation instructions and photos of a SWB installation it's not worth the risk of spending this level of money.

[mepstein]

I'm still waiting on my car to get painted - It's been forever - but I did work out the installation in my '67. Like Jonny said, you have to remove the cowl stay and make a path for the entry and exit from the cabin to the evaporator under the cowl but the general install is similar to the later cars (we've done a bunch at my shop). I'll close off the fresh air opening so it's 100% recirculated air. If I need fresh air, I'll crack a window. I've also used lizard skin insulation and ceramic coating on the underside of the roof, floor pans, doors and in the engine compartment to keep heat out and a/c in. Glass will get a light colored ceramic film to keep the suns rays at bay.
But overall, the difference between a SWB car and later is really just some adjustments to mounting the evaporator and plumbing the inlets/outlets. I'm actually happy that it doesn't have the cowl air distribution boxes of the later cars. They just slow down the air velocity.

I'm also putting the system in my 914 with a 3.2 In that car, the evaporator box doesn't fit under the cowl so I'll use an under dash unit.

For me, it's worth spending the money. It's hot and humid where I live and a/c just makes the car more enjoyable to me on more occasions. I drove a 914 as a daily driver for 8 years when I was younger but parked it when too many hot humid rainy days just made driving it a miserable experience.

[Duc Hunter]

I love all these arm chair experts saying the electric systems cannot work, will not work at idle etc……when CR has a ton of systems out there working just great, and has since 2018, mine included. I live in Florida and have one of their first systems. and was one of, if not the first, to run 2 condensers. Their current system is much improved from mine, and yet mine is great in Florida’s heat and humidity. I have their 964 alternator, and have my system configured to pull 90amps at idle. Florida is about the worst climate on the planet for A/C, and mine works better than my 89 Carrera’s upgraded factory style system (think Kuel, etc).

So mine works great, Guntherwerks cars have the CR A/C, Singers have the CR A/C, the Rod Emory uses the system in his builds, and many other bespoke and customer built 911 Resto-mods have it….and they all work well. Those companies would drop the CR system like a hot potatoes if it did not work. Does the CR system have some compromises, of course. TASNSAFL, There is no such thing as a free lunch. Is it still the best A/C out there for these cars, yes. Its biggest compromise is the cost. Not saying it’s not a fair price considering what it is, what’s gone into it, and how it performs. I think it’s worth every penny, it’s just a lot of penny’s.

Moral of the story I guess is, don’t let real world installations from several reputable companies, and a lot of systems working out in the wild for at least 7 years get in the way of your own calculations made from you basement. In the southern US we ahve a saying….”stop picking the fly shyte out of the pepper.” As passionate car people we can all fall into that trap, and in some ways thats part of the fun of our hobby.

OP, PM me if you would like to talk about my experience with my system, and the others I have helped set up.

[Jonny H]

Originally Posted by simonjb

Coming back to the OP, I am in the same boat, as I also understand a number of other SWB folks are. Until we get some detailed installation instructions and photos of a SWB installation it's not worth the risk of spending this level of money.

Hi Simon,

For some reason we have had a run of enquiries on SWB the last couple of weeks ( at least 4 seperate enquiries ).

I don't think 'detailed installation instructions' are ever going to happen - not by us anyway. Which ever way you look at it, if you use our blower the air has to get into in from the cabin and back into the cabin again for the vent outlets. Everybody will have an opinion on that.

The recent SWB Tuthill build (destination Singapore IIRC) runs our system and if you look at the cabin they have deleted the outboard gauges, replacing them with aircraft style nozzles - see here - https://www.instagram.com/p/DO6YHKHlcgX/?img_index=4.

[Note: This car has lots of tricks on it - heavily customised - e.g. they moved the whole engine forward 3 inches for better handling!]

It's not for everyone but it does save of having to pass the outlet vent tubes through the firewall. They still did cut just 2 holes for the recirculation path ( inlet to blower ).

The other way is to use a factory type smuggler's box evaporator/blower, then use our 'half kit' and put our pump in the RHD configuration near the battery.

Both solutions will require creativity as to where the vents should go in the car and adding a control for the fan speed.

[mepstein]

Originally Posted by Jonny H

Hi Simon,

For some reason we have had a run of enquiries on SWB the last couple of weeks ( at least 4 seperate enquiries ).

I don't think 'detailed installation instructions' are ever going to happen - not by us anyway. Which ever way you look at it, if you use our blower the air has to get into in from the cabin and back into the cabin again for the vent outlets. Everybody will have an opinion on that.

The recent SWB Tuthill build (destination Singapore IIRC) runs our system and if you look at the cabin they have deleted the outboard gauges, replacing them with aircraft style nozzles - see here - https://www.instagram.com/p/DO6YHKHlcgX/?img_index=4.

[Note: This car has lots of tricks on it - heavily customised - e.g. they moved the whole engine forward 3 inches for better handling!]

It's not for everyone but it does save of having to pass the outlet vent tubes through the firewall. They still did cut just 2 holes for the recirculation path ( inlet to blower ).

The other way is to use a factory type smuggler's box evaporator/blower, then use our 'half kit' and put our pump in the RHD configuration near the battery.

Both solutions will require creativity as to where the vents should go in the car and adding a control for the fan speed.

I was thinking of a vent where the clock is but making it so I can put the clock back in (maybe battery powered) when I'm not using the a/c. Then a vent in the glove compartment, hiding it when not in use.

I think you have to remember that Jonny is creating a niche product for a niche car. If you want to have it running in your car, you will have to do some diy or pay someone to do it for you.

Patrick motorsports did a custom install in a 914. I'm not waiting on Jonny to make a kit for my 914-6, that's even a smaller niche. But seeing in one car just confirms to me it can be done. In my case, developing the electronics would be beyond me. But that's already been done. It just requires some parts rearranging and some substitutions. Not a big deal.