Eliminate Air conditioning compressor

Not a strong opinion per se, but mine will be coming out next season.
That being said, I live in an area with moderate summers and many of those were spent in cars without A/C, so I know what I’m getting myself into.
- Dave

 

I pulled my compressor out. Love the room and some weight. Usually, cool where I live. Central coast California. Near Pismo Brach.

 

The compressor of my 328 literally froze so I pulled it out and put in the GT Car Parts upgrade kit. Smaller, lighter, and much more efficient. I swear you cannot tell when the compressor is on and off. Uses modern refrigerant.

Not cheap but no way I was putting in another old style compressor. If it gives me a few more days a year of comfortably driving the car, its worth it IMO.

YMMV, literally!

 

I agree. I plan on taking mine off with the next timing belt change. Any time I drive the car I have the top out anyway. If it is too hot for that, I drive a different car.

 

Yeah that original compressor is a TANK! I got a new Sanden and it's a fraction of the size and weight.

 

Pulling out the compressor and capping the lines is no problem at all if you choose to do it. AC was always an option on these cars and while most cars in North America have it in Europe few ever did. If you choose to do it be sure to keep all of your old parts for the next owner and without the compressor most services in that area and the timing belt change is MUCH easier.

 

Be aware that you can't just bolt in a new compressor and be done with it. There are other components that need replacing both for a refrigerant conversion and general maintenance needs.

 

The kit is complete with everything. No real mods needed but it does take some fiddling by the installer. We might have made one or two fittings. Its not a science experiment. My tech had already put in several. It was his recommendation when the compressor locked up. It burnt the belt which wrapped around the water pump. Not good but luckily the T belts were due.

Not cheap. It will cost you some cash.

The advantage is you still can use it when you want and the downside of running it is minimal. Using modern gas a big plus. Weight is also reduced. And if you sell, probably the next person will want it.

I don't use it much but as I was doing the T belts at the same time, it seemed like the right time to do it. After all, this is Las Vegas.

I would check with your tech first before doing anything and see if they are comfortable. But its not much different than replacing the compressor and the dryer, albeit you are working there anyway if changing the T belts.

 

I have the Sanden unit in one car, probably going to install in another.

I'm curious if anyone has done, or considered, an electric a/c compressor? (I think with all the wiring/battery/alternator loading it may not be worth it over the traditional install)
Generic: https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Electric-Conditioner-Compressor-Motorhome/dp/B09GP9RNYZ?th=1
Higher end for 911 p-cars: https://www.classicretrofit.com/en-us/collections/electric-air-conditioning

 

I ditched the compressor and tossed all components in a box for the next owner. More airflow across radiator as well eliminating the condensor restriction/heat. Hoses left in the rockers. Next belt service will be a breeze.

 

ProvaMo

Has been done before, there is a thread on this forum I came across some time back. A very interesting idea.

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/electric-a-c-install-on-my-328.601689/page-2

 

@bitsobrits , good read, thank you! I know "search is my friend" but all I had found was this a/c thread mentioning electric a/c compressor as a consideration.

On a separate note to the OP (@Low Ride) original question: I wanted to remove any and all A/C-associated components from my GTS for simplicity and reduced weight, but "revailing voices" around me said "not wise, the next person may want A/C" so I installed new front to rear hoses (a major pain), I was going to rebuild the original York compressor, but the Sanden in the GTB seems to work well, I'm planning to add it to the GTS.

 

Anyone purchased this kit? How much is the GT Car Parts kit? WebSite says ask for price..

 

I took mine off first belt change I did, when it came time to put everything back together I looked at it sitting on the bench, picked it up, "naaah" and put it back down and removed its mounting bracket as well.

 

"Take out the aircon" was my first instruction to the workshop fettling my car when I first bought it. Compressor has been sitting on my garage floor for the past 22 (coming up 23 in Feb) years. Never miss it on country drives and rarely go into the city.

 

I recall $850 for the short Sanden and double bracket.
https://gtcp.com/product/115776rrk-a-c-compressor-retrofit-kit-with-brackets/
The SD7h is their best compressor but too long to fit 328, if you can find the short Sanden that gtc sells part number to buy then simply use a common Sanden to York adapter plate for under $100

There were two systems for A/C in 328; Euro style had the Sanden original and if you can find the Euro brackets it can work foe u

 

Thank you for the information. I have a 308GTSi ….. I like the SD7H when I get back to working on it I will have to measure.

 

According to Sanden the SD7H and SD508 are the same size.

 

The original Sanden fitted to Euro and UK versions was a SD507. The SD508 won't fit standard Euro brackets.

 

getting ready to start winter project and A/C was on the list thinking of updating to R134a with Sanden 7312 compressor but after working with an DC brushless electric compressor system on some equipment i deal with, i can easily up fit that system, took some measurements and can fit the compressor in the front near the condenser and just need to wire in some cables to the battery relays and rewire the switch.

the whole system should cost around $600 (using original evaporator & condenser)

 

Can you share the model of the compressor you are looking at? Getting adequate cooling capacity vs ampacity requirements can be a challenge. I uprated my alternator last year during an engine out service in anticipation of going to an electric compressor, and am in the planning stages for a conversion over the winter.

 

it's a Bergstrom system for heavy equipment using a DC brushless motor that pulls about 20 amps max just have to mount a few relays make up so hoses fit a switch low and high pressure

 

508 was used in the Mondial with the same brackets. For the shorter 507 they just installed spacers.