a/c

[NC325iC]

has anyone ever replaced the e30 ac system with a system from any of the newer cars? it seems like the newer compressors have less drag on them, and it also seems that newer a/c systems would work better, that and if you need to do the r134blah conversion you could upgrade too. anywho has anyone done it or thougth about doing it
Chris

[Avus E30]

has anyone ever replaced the e30 ac system with a system from any of the newer cars? it seems like the newer compressors have less drag on them, and it also seems that newer a/c systems would work better, that and if you need to do the r134blah conversion you could upgrade too. anywho has anyone done it or thougth about doing it
Chris

curious question I would be interested in the answer as well.

[der affe]

i was talking the the guy at the BMW shop that i used to work next to about this last month. he said it would be around $500 for a Sanden compressor (low drag) the new lines ( i guess they are a little different with the new compressor), and a new drier...installed. stick with the r-12 system though and use Freeze-12 insted $8 a can insted of $90 a can it workes almost as good as r-12 and better than a r-134 conversion will.

[NC325iC]

where can i find this freeze 12, my ac is shot it may need a recharge and it may have a leak

[der affe]

you can get it here at pep boys etc or from AAPAC which is right around the corner from my shop. they specialize in custom a/c stuff, i think they have a web site too..try googleing them. you will still use the same oil too as you use with r-12

[NC325iC]

ok i guess i should learn some more about a/c systems... oil?

[der affe]

you use PAG oil, i think ( i try to stay away from a/c stuff other than evacing it and refilling it when i have to do a candenser in a front end hit) with R-12 and a different oil with R-134. supposedly the 2 are not interchangable. if you change out the compressor you will have to add oil to the system

[chuckybob]

underdrive pulleys ftw?

[NC325iC]

you make em id probly buy em, but low drag compressor or just a newer one would be sweet too, where does the oil go?

edit: also whats the safest way to drain/evacuate the system

[SchnellerVert]

Friend of mine retro fitted one to his older Audi 4000CSQ+T. The car had the older bendix up down cylinder style ac pump so he not only lost about 40 lbs from the front of the car but it worked signicantly better.

[der affe]

if you have an evac/refill system (you work at an automotive shop) an good one will measure the oil in the system and automatically tell you how much to add. then you input the amount into the machine and it will inject it in the system. other wise you have to weigh the oil you drain out of the old compressor and figure it out from there. i would (if i were you and didn't have a machine available to me) talk to some shops in you area that still have the R-12 equipment and see how much they would charge to add the FREEZE-12 and oil after you installed everything. see if they are cool with you providing your own FREEZE-12 if they can't get it, maybe you can slip one of the techs $20 or a 12 pack for doing it on the side.

[NC325iC]

i think the oil should be good as my system was recharged only like a year maybe 2 years ago and they would have probly refilled the oil. when i was changing the engine last summer i think i may have messed up the drier? the component in front of the radiator, front of the engine dented in a few fins, didnt see anythng leaking from it but i dont know much about a/c systems

[der affe]

that's the condenser, as long as it's not leaking your ok. dented fins only mean a little less air flow no big. unless you had a major leak your oil is usually ok, but if you replace the compressor you WILL need to add oil. it is a good idea to replace the drier if the a/c system has sat open to the air for any long legnth of time because it will trap contaminates. if you go through the system it wouldn't hurt to put a new drier in if it is the orginal one, they shouldnb't be that much $ and your a/c will work better for it.

[bimmer8604]

Does FEeze 12 contain propain? that would scare me. The two types of oil are POE and Pag. There is also another one that is supposedly compatable with both r12 and r134a. You could probably upgrade to a new compressor relatively easily. THe hardest part would be the bracketry. I would think that most compressor lines are the same. Yes, you'll need to replace the reciever dryier, as it will accumulate a lot of oil. If you do upgrade, you need new orings and lines and blah blah blah. I have had 3 or 4 e30s with r134a conversion, and have had no problems with them. I dont think the e30 compressors have much drag(when not on) but if you are driving with your ac on you arent going to be driving fast...

Kyle

[der affe]

FREEZE-12 doesn't contain propain, but it is supposed to have some 134A in it though. the drag may not be that bad , but they are expen$ive to replace when they take a crap like my did (the front seal is wasted!) something like $1200ish or WAY less for a sanden rotary type, and the rotary type is ALOT less drag then the orginal compressor and is more efficient too.