The comprehensive Air Conditioning thread.

[Eliminare]

For those who don't have any e36 lines to start with, here's what I did.

I bought my motor without an a/c compressor or any lines. Rather than buying two e36 lines to get the necessary fittings, I discovered that p/n 64538391337 has both fittings that you need. I bought the hose from RockAuto (FOUR SEASONS 55375) for $61. I then took the hoses from my car to a local a/c shop and had them cut the fittings off the new hose and attach them to the original hoses. They also replaced the rubber portions of the lines and charged me $92. So for $154 I essentially have brand new lines that mate up to the e36 compressor perfectly.

Here are my lines in progress:


The only downside to using the fittings from that hose is that the OD of one of the fittings is a little too big. This prevents both fittings from bolting to the compressor. It's nothing a bench grinder can't fix though. Unfortunately I didn't get any pics of that, but it's pretty self explanatory.

[kid8]

Was the price actually 275$? That is a bit steep

They do still offer them and the price is steep. Mine just arrived and the quality is honestly very disappointing. I need to call to them tomorrow to discuss and I'm hopeful we can come to an agreement that's good for the both of us.

[Daeldalus]

I was able to get a set made from Zionsville Autosport last year. They always show as out of stock on their website. I finally called and spoke with a rep there and essentially ordered them over the phone. Don’t know if they’re still doing them but it’s worth a shot.

Edit: I haven’t had a chance to install any of the AC stuff yet so I can’t comment on fit/finish, etc.

Was the price actually 275$? That is a bit steep

[BlackSpeed66]

I was able to get a set made from Zionsville Autosport last year. They always show as out of stock on their website. I finally called and spoke with a rep there and essentially ordered them over the phone. Don’t know if they’re still doing them but it’s worth a shot.

Edit: I haven’t had a chance to install any of the AC stuff yet so I can’t comment on fit/finish, etc.

[Daeldalus]

Does anyone still make the plug and play ac lines?
I bought the wrong e36 hoses so they won't work with the splice technique.

I kinda just want to buy a set that I can slap in without all the hassle.

[mpowerful]

^ i sent you a pm.

[diesekte]

I had lines in my car when I bought it and they were leaking. I had lines remade and they are leaking. I'm getting frustrated and took it to a BMW shop and they want 1400$ to make me two lines and vacuum/recharge which is not going to happen.
Can anyone make me some lines? Can anyone provide a place I can get some? Zionsville is out of stock, and the docsblocks links don't even work anymore...I'm getting kind of frustrated here and its hot in Texas!

[Wishno87]

Nope, it's the same gauge wiring as the high speed circuit.

Awesome going to do that right now.

Just got my lines made a few days ago. Now just need a vac and charge. Going to get the idle bump figured out later.

[ParsedOut]

No issues with burned wires or anything?

Nope, it's the same gauge wiring as the high speed circuit.

[Wishno87]

Bypass the resistor on the aux fan and put a 30amp fuse in the low speed fuse location.

No issues with burned wires or anything?

[THEhomelessONE]

Anyone know where I can get custom lines made in the bay area? M42 car, have m42/m50 r12 lines and compressor. Going to run envirocool.

[ParsedOut]

How did you make it run on high with the ac on?

Bypass the resistor on the aux fan and put a 30amp fuse in the low speed fuse location.

[Wishno87]

I have a/c. E36 compressor, parallel flow condensor, new drier, same evap and expansion valve. I had lines made for e30 connections on body/condensor side with e36 comp fittings. R134. Blows cold as ice. Oh and stock aux wired to run in high with a/c on.

How did you make it run on high with the ac on?

[nrubenstein]

Yeah the worst i get from not running it is some idle surge when the engine isnt up to operating temp.

Reset your DME and enjoy the surging. :) You're relying on massive adaptations to make it run acceptably.

[mpowerful]

Yeah the worst i get from not running it is some idle surge when the engine isnt up to operating temp.