a/c removal

[mattzts]

i did a search and only got some really old post. the pictures didnt work and it was on a 1g. so anyway. im removing my a/c tomorrow. i started already. i took out the a/c fan and one line.
basiclly the thing im confused about is. there is a long cylinder like thing the a/c line is connected too. im assuming this is the compressor or something. its on the drivers side in the front of the engine bay. now there are 2 lines that go off it an a/c line and another line connected to something else that the powersteering line is connected too. so is it safe to remove just that one line?
also there are black plastic boxes behind the glove bo that say cooling unit. i assume thats the a/c. how do those come out? is there a way with out taking out the whole dash?
i pretty much need to know what to look for and where stuff is located. im pretty machanical, but never took out an a/c. so i dont want to take something out that will harm the car.

 

[pnishr]

the canister is not connected to the PS. The line that goes to the front of the car is connected to the condensor core. You'll need to remove (or just move) your Radator and some bolts to get it out. Silver lines are AC. Green lines are P.S. then trace the lines back to the compressor behind the block. Look in my profile at "view all users posts" I've got a couple of "how to" posts within other threads about removing the compressor and condensor core. And yes, you'll have to remove the dash to get most of that out. I got lucky and got the middle box out, but the other ones bolt in at the top, so the dash has gotta go.

Good luck. let me know if you've got more questions.

 

[spoolup]

the only part of the AC system is the middle box under the dash. The one to the passanger side is the blower and the one directly behind the stereo is the heater core. You will want to keep both of these for defrost. The middle piece can be removed, then seperate via these little clip deals then gutted then remated to act as a open vent. The stuff under the dash does not weght to much. so you can just skip this step if you really want but i you want to remove this middle piece it CAN be removed without removing the dash, drop the glove box and remove it, then the brace for the glove box, then the passanger air bog you can see this thing pretty clear now. Just gut it or buy the factory piece for a non AC equiped car, last time I checked was like $70.00. If you opt not to leave it in at all, the blower motor will not move ANY air past the heater core for the defrosters.

The compressor can come out pretty easily thru the top of the engine bay, just need to move the brake resivour. being FWD you can also remove the bracket that holds the compressor to the block, this bracket weights about as much as the compressor does, IE its heavy. AWD cars have a bracket offset by this bracket for the halfshaft. FWDs do not have this. So wrench away. I removed my ac about 3 years ago. Then guted the car last year. It has a dash but thats about it. I could stuff a 10-15Lb nitrous bottle under the dash for stealth spray now.

 

[mattzts]

awsome so as long as i have the right and left box ill still have defrosters. ill do that gutting of the middle one or maybe make my own duct somehow.

 

[spoolup]

becarefull of making your own duct. One freind DSMer, did that, out of cardboard and duct tape, lasted about 3 weeks. But he is funny, he likes to drive a tin can for some reason. He made a hard fast left hand turn once and you can hear something come loose then fall off the car, he said "oh, guess something fell off again" but was calm saying it. Dont know if the "something fell off" or the "again" part makes you more nervous.

Gutting it is cheap and easy. Just take your time, dont want to break it and have to spend money or time in the junkyard.

 

[mattzts]

nah im not going crazy gutting. just the rear and a/c for now. later ill get some light weight race seats. the a/c doesnt work anyway so thats the main reason im taking it out. this is my project car no need for a/c anyway.

 

[skatefiend]

Is there any significant power gain by removing the a/c. I've had non dsmers tell me its less strain/power draw from the crank. Any truth to this legend or should I stay cool this summer?

 

[Defiant]

No. Stay cool. If you want that massive power gain, just turn off the AC. Revel in that mighty eight horsepower.

 

[skatefiend]

8 HP is a pretty sweet free mod if you ask me? Not to mention how bulky and heavy it and all the lines are.. not thats its much of a difference... but when im at a light next to the honda vtech and I know hes running a vtech controller(those bastars do have one good thing, variable cam lobes, why dont we use that???) and is taking it 9 to 10 grand I want that 8 hp... any one got any dyno results before/after a/c removal.... that would be a cool thread...

 

[snowborder714]

any one got any dyno results before/after a/c removal.... that would be a cool thread...

I personally just think that'd be a waste of money for dyno sessions unless you really needed to tune. I removed mine to clean up the engine bay and shed some weight (around 40lbs or so). I don't think most people who remove it immediately think of how much hp they possibly gained. A lot of people remove it for the reasons I stated as well as getting rid of the A/C belt, which is known to snap or somehow get itself tangled in the other belts.

 

[skatefiend]

Well what about someone out there with a pocketlogger or similar ems? that would take all of about an hour to take it off and put it back on if not satisfied.

 

[snowborder714]

Not to keep shooting you down, but that's not something you just take off and put back on in an hour. It's not the easiest system to take off. Plus, if it's pre-'93 (I believe) you have to get it professionally emptied as the gases are harmful to the environment. And then they'd have to pay to get it filled back up and leak tested.

 

[daarkness92]

I just removed mine...cleaned up the engine bay alot, and now my radiator can get alot more airflow to it by taking out that condenser

 

[daarkness92]

Plus, if it's pre-'93 (I believe) you have to get it professionally emptied as the gases are harmful to the environment. And then they'd have to pay to get it filled back up and leak tested.

haha tree hugger

 

[tsi8820]

take it out. frees up space and looks alot cleaner. you might notice a slight increes in the motor reving faster. and besides if you get hot just roll down the windows and drive faster.