280 Z8 air conditioner question

[deMideon]

I wanted to see if anyone that has done the swap into a 280Z has had any problem with the stock air conditioner line routing. It looks like where it comes through the firewall may be a problem... does it work? Do I have to move the lines over more? Thanks!!!

[Phantom]

No problem with my swap but it is an LS1 not a standard SBC. Engine heads are about 4" forward of firewall so there is enough room for AC lines and heater hoses.

[BARACU]

I moved the A/C lines to the driver's side inner fender in my conversion. With the correct fittings, they clear the engine. This pic shows it pretty well. I also used a condenser that had both ports on the driver's side to make it easy.http://www.pbase.com/image/18617643

[deMideon]

Thanks Baracu, that showed it perfectly! I can still use the holes through the firewall but doing an elbow will work great!

[BARACU]

The fittings that I used connected directly to the stock lines from the evaporator coming through the firewall. Any good A/C supply house should be able to set you up with the correct angle and sizing. Al

[Georgia Flash]

Man that is one clean engine bay!!!!

[BARACU]

Thanks. I ....uh.....have a "few" hours into it. (hehe) Al

[Kevin Shasteen]

Thanks. I ....uh.....have a "few" hours into it. (hehe) Al

 

Perhaps that is the understatement of the year: very nice engine bay; the picture refelcts all those hours: nice!

 

You wouldnt also happen to have a picture of the A/C Bracket you used to mount the A/C compressor to your engine...would you

[BARACU]

Kevin: Here's a link to some pics of the Z. The A/C Compressor bracket pictures are the last two, I used angle iron and attached it to tthe three engine mount bolts, It's rock solid. Al

http://www.pbase.com/baracu/zcar&page=all

[Kevin Shasteen]

Thanks for the pic's.

 

When/if I ever get to do the V8 swap I'ld prefer to keep the A/C in the same position as the inliner...low driver's side of the engine; now I have an idea of how to do it.

 

Thnx.

 

Kevin,

(Yea,Still an Inliner)

[love-my-V8-280Z]

BARACU,

Your car is unbelieveable!!!!

Hands down it is the nicest I have ever seen. How could you ever drive it?

Do you mind telling me what size tires you used?

Everything about your car is what I'm shooting for. To bad I have southern car to start.

I have been told to stay away from the rear rap around bumbers do to them being poorly made and taking so long to make fit and look good.

If you ever want to sell it hit me up!

steenhagens@triton.net

[Dan Juday]

Very nice BARACU. I've got the same model security system on my car.

[Sumo]

I like your security system too, self-arm and re-arm, motion sensing, warn away mode, hand decapitator,literally chase away the bad guy and automatic "come back home" mode although you may need an anti-drool featue.

[BARACU]

Love-my-V8z:

Tires are 225-50-16 on 16x7 3 piece Modular wheels. Suspension Technique springs lower the car about an inch, but there is no rubbing anywhere. This is the second time that I used the Wrap around rear bumper from the aero Kit. Fit leaves a lot to be desired. I chose to add additional metal supports to the bumper as attachments. A lot of fitting and glassing was needed to attach the bumper so that it was about an 1/16" from the body.

The "theft deterrent" system works fairly well.....one big drawback is maintenance costs, but at least he doesn't drain the battery! Al

[EvilRufusKay]

BARACU,

 

Beautiful car!!! I have my AC lines routed the same way. However, my AC bracket leaves a lot to be desired. Did you fab the one I saw in your album yourself? If so, do you have dimensions, and would you be willing to share them with me? I would appreciate it.

 

Thanks,

Rufus

[A. G. Olphart]

Thanks BARACU, the pics will help down the line... What AC compressor is it that you have mounted on your stoutly engineered bracket?

 

And, duh, where did all the wiring go?????

 

VERY sano

[BARACU]

Rufus:

I made the A/C Compressor bracket from 1 1/2" steel angle iron. The top part, that attaches to the motor mount is 7 1/2" long. But , this length will vary depending upon your particular setup. Your setup with pulleys will determine where the Compressor is to be located. I, originally made it longer and temporarily clamped the compressor until everything lined up , then cut ff the excess and welded the small angles on to attach the compressor to.

 

A.G. :

The compressor is the Sanden 505. It is a little shorter than the 508, whuich is most commonly used and has top mounted ports. It was difficult to locate . I got mine from RP Parts. http://www.rparts.com/Catalog/Major_Components/compressors/sanden/sanden.asp

As to the wires : "You don't need no steeenkin' wires" Seriously, though, the main harness for the lights up front were routed through the passenger side fresh air vent in the inner fender. The alternator wire runs through the frame rail, encased in fuel line hose. I made side kick panels for the interior, which allowed me to mount 6" speakers with enough room behind the panel for a Maxi -Fuse block and headlight relays. All the wiring runs to this point in the interior. Engine wiring enters the engine compartment high up in the tunnel and is hidden by the engine. I made up all new brake lines and moved the distribution block behind the windshield washer reservoir with a proportioning valve, so the lines would all be hidden. The fuel line enters from the rear of the carb and runs parallel with the brake lines, in the brake line brackets, on the firewall, so that's pretty much hidden, too. Funny, I've actually had people ask me if the car runs,because they couldn't find any wires, brake lines or fuel lines. Al

[A. G. Olphart]

Wow-- That is one whole passle of work! It looks GREAT, but I'm a lazy Olphart... My Z's gonna be ugly.

('Ugly' really wants that Sanden A/C compressor mounted low like yours).

 

Thanks again, for the tips and the source.

[The Rototiller]

http://www.rparts.com/Catalog/Major_Components/compressors/sanden/sanden.asp

As to the wires : "You don't need no steeenkin' wires" Seriously' date=' though, the main harness for the lights up front were routed through the passenger side fresh air vent in the inner fender. [/quote']

 

when the wiring harness comes out of the front of the fresh air vent, where do you have it going from there? do you just have it following the path of where it was originaly in front of the radiator?

 

i thought about running the drivers side wires through the drivers side fresh air vent. looks like i could drill a hole in the vent passage near the back side of the headlights and pass the wires to the head lights and turn signals there. that could work

[BARACU]

I "slottted" the bottom of the fresh air vent boot,so the harness exits unseen, under the boot . The harness runs in pretty much the stock location, except it is in front of the radiator support instead of on top. With the hood and everything else in place , it's hardly noticeable.

On the 76 "RoadZter" I'm building now, I did it the same way,except I ran the wiring harness in front of the rad support in black wire loom casing and wrapped it with heavy black tape for a neater look.

AL