Electric A/C install on my 328

I've been watching the threads on 3x8 A/C and think changing the compressor won't solve much. The problem appears to be volume of air through the condenser, not compressor capacity. If you increase the compressor capacity and don't increase the air moving through the condenser, you'll end up creating an ice block in the condenser and your A/C will fail.

Increasing the throughput of the airbox or even adding additional vents on the left and right side might be a much more viable solution. Has anyone thought of 3D printing up hoses and such to allow for more air movement?

 

IMO Air volume, air flow is the problem. More vents would help also. I'm installing a new blower motor right now. Spal A45. Its supposed to have more cfm. Well see. More air flow thru the condenser will help at stop lights and slow speeds. My new radiator and radiator fans helped to keep the engine cooler and the a/c colder.
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As others have pointed out, changing the compressor, assuming the one you have is working properly, will not help. Evaporator air flow is the limitation, not the compressor. York compressors, like the ones in US 3x8s were adequate to cool US cars that a 3x8 could fit inside!

 

As noted, the evaporator air flow is the limitation, not the compressor. The same York compressor in US 3x8s easily cooled US cars that a 3x8 could fit inside!

Dave, it will be interesting to hear how the new Spall works. Is it physically larger than the OEM or does it fit in place without mods?

 

There's not a lot of room for bigger fans. On my (RHD) QV, there is 7mm between the fan shroud and the inner guard

 

You have to modify a plate. I will not modify the case. I quess I will find out this week if it fits. I'm going by what other Ferarichater's have done. There lots of threads on here about it. It is a litter bigger. It feels like it moves more air when I connect them both to12 volts. The fan is around a $100.00 and up plus how ever you mount it. The first picture is a hole a/c kit sold here in Dallas. You can see the adapter plate they use for it. Next picture is a little different plate. The 3rd picture no plate at all. I have pm him about how he attached it. I'm thinking he may have put some small plate inside the evaporator box. Off the work I go now. Tonight I will take a picture of both fans side by side.
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I too converted compressors. Good advantage they are less power consuming and smaller.
There are two conversion adapters for these swaps. The flat plate which requires the use of the belt tensioner bearing and the curved adjustable mount. Easier to mount and adjust tension with no need for the tensioner bearing: example below
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Could you supply the name of that Dallas company. I’ve been thinking about upgrading the blowers as well and was curious about mounting those bigger spal squirrel cage fans. Any info on the mounting plates would also be appreciated. Thanks.


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https://www.classicautoair.com/contact-us/

I just got back from taking my plans and blower motor to have a aluminum plate made. Will have it back by the end of the week they said. I will let you Know when I get it back. Having my plate made to fit inside the box or outside the box if my drawings are correct. The A45 motor can be bought ebay and other sources. They would not sell me just the plate or mounting bracket. Would sell every thing inside or the whole kit.

 

Ah yes familiar with those folks. Would be very interested in obtaining a copy of your plate plans if it works out. I will PM you so we can take this discussion off the forum.


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Misunderstood, never heard of an electric compressor until I just looked it up;
https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32566206043.html

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Here's pictures of the old and new blower motors
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Just curious - you mention an inverter but the ad posted shows it to be available as 12VDC so why an inverter?

Also, do you know how many watts the compressor draws (or the volts/amps)? I'm wondering if the Ferrari's elec system (charging circuit, etc) can adequately supply power since it was not originally designed for that.

If the compressor really is an AC compressor (needs an inverter), then figure that a really good inverter is around 90% efficient so you will lose a bit more capacity electrical-wise.

 

I'm really interested in how you mount the new Spall fans into the evaporator... my ac works good but the volume of air is not great ... AND I HATE the noise the fan makes ... its really loud in the cabin.

 

Look at the pictures above. These are examples of how other ferraichater mounted there"s. I will get my adapter plate back this week, I will let you know how it goes. It's not a exact fit. Fitting onto the evaporator box is not my concern. Its how well it will fit back under the dash because its a little bigger and how much more air does it really blow.

 

How hard was it to install? I think that it the critical part for my car - if you can blow more air it would be cooler...

 

I think the concept of an electric compressor is great. It will be interesting to see how it all works out. I don't know the power output of the OEM 328 alternator but adding another 26 amps of power draw is a fair bit. Most car alternators are rated at from 100 to 300 A; I'd guess that the 328 alternator is on the low end of that since there is very little auxiliary electrical equipment in the car but that's just a guess.

In any case, as I said, I think the CONCEPT of the electric drive is really neat and if the OEM alternator is not quite up to the task at low/idle RPM I would imagine a higher output alternator could be fitted. Hopefully the stock alternator will be fine; let us know how the project proceeds!

 

>> I would imagine a higher output alternator could be fitted.

Or... an auxiliary alternator fitted to where the A/C compressor was mounted.