I'm fed up with my 308's lack of AC!! | Page 7 | FerrariChat

I'm fed up with my 308's lack of AC!!

Discussion in '308/328' started by Ultimate Pedals, Aug 26, 2007.

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  1. GeoMetry

    GeoMetry Formula Junior

    Apr 14, 2008
    471
    Virginia
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    Richard
    #151 GeoMetry, Jun 8, 2009
    It's getting to be that time of year again... What is the status on this project? It has been a while since the last update.
     
  2. Darolls

    Darolls F1 Veteran
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    #152 Darolls, Jun 8, 2009
    My guess is, nothing was accomplished. Probably a lot of time and money without any increased performance. :(
     
  3. Ultimate Pedals

    Ultimate Pedals Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
    101
    Palm Beach, Fl
    Full Name:
    Rob Baylor
    #153 Ultimate Pedals, Jun 9, 2009
    Actually the system works great!

    Here are my results so far (90°F ambient, 65% humidity, no clouds, stop and go driving)

    R134a
    35% more airflow
    43°F-48°F vent air
    max coolant temp 197°F with spirited driving
    interior temp easily maintained at 73°F (near the ceiling) with fan on middle speed setting

    I am currently modifying the condenser/radiator to simplify manufacture and installation.

    The condenser mounting brackets on the prototype are too complicated for a production version.

    More to come......
     
  4. Derek250TR

    Derek250TR Karting

    May 7, 2006
    59
    Longmeadow MA
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    Derek B
    #154 Derek250TR, Jun 12, 2009
    I beleive my AC unit is decent. I was very interested to see the breakdown of the unit. I have that foam that is disintigrating in there and it flys out if I turn on the blower. My question is simple. Where do you find the spot to put the R12 in???? Can someone give me a "How to Recharge Your A/C for Dummies." One of my questions would be; Do you have to remove the old R12?....I beleive I know the answer to this question, but I just like to ask....Please don't laugh at me too much.
     
  5. chairpilot

    chairpilot Formula 3

    Mar 3, 2007
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    PlateClipGuys
    #155 chairpilot, Sep 10, 2009

    Hi Rob,

    I read through the whole amazing thread today as I was going to attack my system in a similar manner. What's your current status? I'd be more than willing to help you recoup some of your R&D costs by buying some of the components through you that you had to design/fabricate, which added to the benefit of the stock system.

    Let us know!!!
     
  6. Ultimate Pedals

    Ultimate Pedals Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
    101
    Palm Beach, Fl
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    Rob Baylor
    #156 Ultimate Pedals, Sep 10, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I ended up designing a new radiator.

    Benefits:

    1) simplified condenser mounting
    2) allows fitment of a much larger condenser (adds cooling capacity to system)
    3) cross flow radiator design allow for a larger radiator core
    4) all aluminum brazed radiator is more efficient than OEM radiator
    5) allows cooling fans to be mounted behind radiator like the 288 GTO and 328
    6) 19 lbs lighter

    I also re-designed the center console.

    Benefits:

    1) larger vents
    2) double din touchscreen stereo (GPS, backup camera, front spoiler camera, I-Pod integration, HD Radio, Satellite radio)

    I'm not sure I like the aluminum finish, I might cover it with black vinyl to match the dash.

    (see images)

    More to come.....
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    rwbolt1 likes this.
  7. chairpilot

    chairpilot Formula 3

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    #157 chairpilot, Sep 10, 2009
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2009
    Thanks for the pics Rob. But I don't think I see the condenser (??)

    What are your A/C outlet temps now?
     
  8. GeoMetry

    GeoMetry Formula Junior

    Apr 14, 2008
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    Richard
    #158 GeoMetry, Sep 10, 2009
    Does the redesigned radiator require any permanent modification to the car or is it a bolt in replacement?

    Is the center console modification necessary to fit the system in the car or was that just something you wanted to do? Personally, I would not want to modify the interior of my car in that way.
     
  9. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
    Owner Project Master

    May 10, 2006
    17,181
    Atlanta
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    John!
    #159 Ferraripilot, Sep 10, 2009
    that is neato
     
  10. Ultimate Pedals

    Ultimate Pedals Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
    101
    Palm Beach, Fl
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    Rob Baylor
    #160 Ultimate Pedals, Sep 10, 2009
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2009
    Sorry for the confusion.

    You can see the front of the new condenser in the photo with the red air hornes.

    The new condenser is also just visible in the photo with the rear radiator fans (upper right hand portion of the photo, it's sitting directly in front of the radiator, you can also see the satin/frosted condenser top mounting pin poking thru the shiny top flange of the radiator).

    I have not tested the system with the new radiator/condenser, but will post results as soon as I do.

    I will also post a photo of the new condenser removed from the car.

    The new radiator design and center consol do not require any modifications to the car.

    They are bolt in replacements.

    The center consol mod allows much larger vents which greatly improves the airflow.

    This is not required but highly recommended.

    Single din (like the OEM) consols can be manufactured with the vents above or below the radio and round or square louvers.

    I prefer the round louvers since they match the dashboard louvers.
     
  11. chairpilot

    chairpilot Formula 3

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    #161 chairpilot, Sep 10, 2009
    Is the alum radiator custom or readily available?
     
  12. Ultimate Pedals

    Ultimate Pedals Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
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    Rob Baylor
    #162 Ultimate Pedals, Sep 10, 2009
    The radiator is custom but will be readily available soon.
     
  13. chairpilot

    chairpilot Formula 3

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    #163 chairpilot, Sep 10, 2009
    Now I see it. Nice!
     
  14. chairpilot

    chairpilot Formula 3

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    #164 chairpilot, Sep 10, 2009
    Is the condenser custom too?
     
  15. Ultimate Pedals

    Ultimate Pedals Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
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    Rob Baylor
    #165 Ultimate Pedals, Sep 10, 2009
    The condenser requires custom blocks to connect the hoses, so yes and no.
     
  16. GeoMetry

    GeoMetry Formula Junior

    Apr 14, 2008
    471
    Virginia
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    Richard
    #166 GeoMetry, Sep 10, 2009
    Well then I am still looking forward to the announcement that the kits are available for purchase. I was thinking about a new radiator so now I will hold off on that for a bit longer in hopes that you make this available soon. That is your plan isn't it? Do you have a ballpark price in mind?
     
  17. Darolls

    Darolls F1 Veteran
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    #167 Darolls, Sep 11, 2009
    The A/C outlet temps are meaningless if there isn't enough volume of cool air passing into the cockpit. My A/C outlet temps are 35 to 33 d/F but still, on a sunny hot day, you wouldn't even know that the A/C was on!
     
  18. Ultimate Pedals

    Ultimate Pedals Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
    101
    Palm Beach, Fl
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    Rob Baylor
    #168 Ultimate Pedals, Sep 11, 2009
    Hi Geometry,

    Yes, you are correct, the kit will be available for purchase as soon as possible.

    I'm sorry, but at the current time I do not have any information about pricing.

    I would be happy to notify you as soon as we are ready to ship systems.

    Please PM your e-mail address.

    Thank you for your understanding.

    Hi Darolls,

    Sounds like your expansion valve is not functioning properly and ice is forming in the evaporator core, which blocks the airflow.

    The new system has 35% more airflow in the cabin.
     
  19. Darolls

    Darolls F1 Veteran
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    #169 Darolls, Sep 11, 2009
    If that's true, I don't believe the vent temps could be as low as they are.
     
  20. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2004
    2,345
    #170 Paul_308, Sep 15, 2009
    Just a bump for the dashboard searchers - check top of page 8 for pictures
     
  21. BlueMax

    BlueMax Formula Junior

    Aug 6, 2006
    291
    Norfolk, VA
    Full Name:
    JR
    #171 BlueMax, Feb 1, 2010
    btt

    Any further development?
     
  22. Darolls

    Darolls F1 Veteran
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    #172 Darolls, Feb 2, 2010
    My guess is the project has been abandoned. Many have tried but all have failed!
     
  23. Ultimate Pedals

    Ultimate Pedals Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
    101
    Palm Beach, Fl
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    Rob Baylor
    #173 Ultimate Pedals, Feb 2, 2010
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2010
    Hi BlueMax,

    Thank you for your post.

    The current status is:

    1) finalizing CAD/CAM software for new 5-axis CNC to manufacture A/C kit compressor pulley
    2) minor tweaking of new aluminum radiator upper mounting
    3) one more pass at the evaporator/blower housing to allow an even larger blower motor

    Estimated completion time mid spring.

    Hi Darolls,

    The new A/C system works great!

    More to come......
     
  24. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
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    Mike 996
    #174 mike996, Mar 25, 2011
    "Estimated completion time mid spring." [2010]

    It's been a year; anything new?
     
  25. chairpilot

    chairpilot Formula 3

    Mar 3, 2007
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    #175 chairpilot, Mar 26, 2011
    Yes what is the status?!?!
     
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