MAYHEM Posted July 29, 2003 Share Posted July 29, 2003 I have a '77 280Z, that is getting a SBC installed in it. My qustion is would I have to get rid of the A/C compressor and get a different model or can I get bracketry to keep it?.... installed on the SBC ? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HICKL Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 I just went through this and tried to the point of scratching the crud out of my new engine bay paint . I could not get it to fit. For me, there was not enough room to mount it down low and it's just too big to mount over the valve cover. Hood would not close. I gave up. My motor is in the JTR position. If anybody out there has succeded at this, I would like to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 I have AC in my LS1 equipped '77 280Z. The alternator is mounted low on the drivers side and the AC compressor high where the power steering pump used to be. The compressor is a Japanese compact design unit that fits beautifully - but that's on an LS1 - not an LT1 or sbc. Get creative with your belt routing and where the components / tensioners are mounted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 They are kind of pricy, but the Vintage Air Frontrunner system looks like an option: http://www.vintageair.com/frontrunner.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike kZ Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 I may be wrong, but I don't think it matters which way the pulley turns. If that's the case you could make a bracket to sit the stock compressor facing the motor if there is room. That way you can put it anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 Vintage Air is a good resource. In areas where it is hot and sticky almost any price is a good price for AC! Please note I said 'almost'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest benjlv Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 i cant think of a compressor that would allow it self to be turned backwards. Most are either piston or rotary...while the stock Z compressor is a swash plate...which is pretty much a simplfied piston. Running a compressor backward is like trying to get a engine to run backward. But keep in mind that hondas run in the opposite direction stock...so maybe you can grab a compressor off one of those. BTW- i could be wrong about this as it depends on the compressors indicidual design. It maybe possible to use the suction side as the discharge side and use the compressor that way. Youll have to look into it more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAYHEM Posted July 30, 2003 Author Share Posted July 30, 2003 Thanks for the response everyone. The '77 I have has a fairly young ('98) compressor and it works fine. I'm trying to keep it for the swap, without forking out the cash for another one. It looks like I'm going to get out the old T-square and welder and try to whip one up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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