A/C Functionality on 24v?

[gkurey]

Hey guys,

I've got an S52 and am going to do my swap on my 89 325is within the next few weekends...I'm all over the gearhead/performance side, but with growing older, my desire for such extra features, like A/C, has really grown.

That being said, when I drop in the S52, I intend to make the A/C system functional. Since the S52 compressor is a R134 system and the existing e30 m20b25 system is not(r114? who knows?) will I have any issues hooking up the system to the existing condenser/evap/drier/expansion valve, etc? How will it perform? I assume at the very least I'll need new lines. Mostly looking for feedback on how people have set up their systems and how well they work! Charleston, SC hot humid summer is rapidly approaching...and I won't drive my e30 to work without good A/C haha!

Thanks guys!

[Jean]

At the very least I would replace the expansion valve , the dryer, and all the o-rings with r134 kind.

[sharky]

At the very least I would replace the expansion valve , the dryer, and all the o-rings with r134 kind.

This, you will need E36 and E30 lines, cut and splice. There is a thread on some of this around here.

[BeirBrennerE30]

FWIW I converted my car from r12 to r134 prior to doing the swap and the AC went from being great to just ok. Then I swapped in the s52 and used the e36 compressor and just replaced the dryer. The AC now sucks balls. Its cool but not cold even when on full blast.

I dunno if this is normal but I had a local shop check it out and they said it was working ok. Maybe someone else with working m50 A/c can chime in with expirence or maybe figure out if I screwed something up

[Jean]

I guess another thing to consider is that not ALL a/c compressors are r134a compartible...

Here is a good thread on this - http://bmwcca.org/forum/showthread.php?t=7112

example - http://bmwe32.masscom.net/johan/airc...con_R134a.html

[Good & Tight]

Change the dryer for sure, flush the whole system, replace the O rings on the lines in the engine bay. I had the E36 compressor fittings adapted to the E30 lines, cost me $100 with all new rubber lines.
a/c blows nice and cold and the car is turbo charged also.

[rThor432]

You will definitely want to be thorough with the replacement of wear items, like the other guys have said. If you don't have the system working top notch, you won't last through the Charleston summer :).

[lennon]

FWIW I converted my car from r12 to r134 prior to doing the swap and the AC went from being great to just ok. Then I swapped in the s52 and used the e36 compressor and just replaced the dryer. The AC now sucks balls. Its cool but not cold even when on full blast.

I dunno if this is normal but I had a local shop check it out and they said it was working ok. Maybe someone else with working m50 A/c can chime in with expirence or maybe figure out if I screwed something up

my buddy has an m50 e30 and that A/C blows ice cold! then again he owns a business that makes kits and retrofits A/C into classic cars with no A/C. that may have something to do with it.

that got me thinking, if a lot of people were really interested in running A/C with their swaps, he may be interested in making a simple kit.

[gkurey]

Can you prod him for some info, lennon?

Thanks for all the responses in here...its definitely aiding my search-efforts. I'll post up what I can find....

[BeirBrennerE30]

my buddy has an m50 e30 and that A/C blows ice cold! then again he owns a business that makes kits and retrofits A/C into classic cars with no A/C. that may have something to do with it.

that got me thinking, if a lot of people were really interested in running A/C with their swaps, he may be interested in making a simple kit.

wow that would be nice... I would buy. Bonus points if the AC lines were hidden in the fender or something

[gkurey]

OK, from my searching I've seen many different reports of what people run, but nothing very exact.

Sounds like there are two routes...just bolt on the e36 compressor, make line adapters, and run R12.

-OR-

Bolt on the e36 compressor, adapt the lines, replace the drier, all o-rings to r134 compatible, and run r134.

I have a few questions if anyone knows the answers...does the first option (R12) operate well? Secondly, if swapping to R134, does the drier need to be from an e36? Does the e30 condenser operate adequately in either case? Thanks guys!

[dsobering47]

R12 will freeze your thoughts. R134 is not as effective as R12 for cooling purposes, but R12 is also more expensive. I'd say a new drier is a new drier, doesnt matter where its from as long as it fits. Its basically the filter in the A/C system. Getting a bigger condenser probably wouldnt hurt, but I'm sure the stock one would be sufficient.

Of course, my car still doesnt have a motor in yet so take everything I've said with a grain-o-salt.

[hoveringuy]

If you're confident your system doesn't leak and it hasn't been converted, I would stick with R12 if you really enjoy cold air.

R134 will never work as well because the condensor just isn't large enough. R134 has a higher head pressure and isn't as efficient.

I used Duracool which was very cold and used less power than even R12.

[gkurey]

Hmmm, just looked at Duracool, seems like a viable option. Here's my plan of attack:

-Adapt the hoses to the e36 compressor
-Retain the rest of the AC system e30/R12 spec
-New drier since the system has been opened up
-Seal it all up, get the sys vaccuumed/flushed and then fill w/ Duracool....

Anyone see any reason why this would not work well? I'm just wanting good AC performance, I would pretty much spend whatever I needed to keep cool this summer, so if anyone thinks I should try something else, or if there is a better option, let me know!

[MaloventEvil]

my buddy has an m50 e30 and that A/C blows ice cold! then again he owns a business that makes kits and retrofits A/C into classic cars with no A/C. that may have something to do with it.

that got me thinking, if a lot of people were really interested in running A/C with their swaps, he may be interested in making a simple kit.

would definitely be interested.