AC installation on stock a 280z

[hawaiiz]

Aloha All

 

Im looking to insall AC into my 280z. Hawaii has major humidity and is hot when directly in the sun. Although it has never had ac installed before I happen to have 2 280z parts cars both with factory AC. I am unfortunatly on a budget and this is the plan for what I have come up with so far.

 

I have a buddy in the with a Electrical/Refrigeration business, has all the equipment but is not a automotive specialist. He also said I may be able to get away with flaring the ends and using hose clamps but we will see. So once its all in he will pull vac and charge etc.

 

 

1st Get as many reccomendations from those who know

 

Condenser is tough, my used one look OK but not great - prob get newer used unit from a different or a new universal

New universal Filter, filter dryer, new clamp on new hoses (Prob custom hose on high side)

Purchace Sanden Adaper mount for 2.8 I6

Purchace rebuild sd505 or sd508 with clutch and vbelt pully

(what do you guys think of those "like sanden compressors New"?? on ebay)

 

Install bracket and compressor and make sure belt fits

Figure out what kind of adapters are needed to plumb Sanden to

 

Pull my dashboard - Not a fun thing but I have 2 to practice on

Remove heater assemby

Maybe - gut used assembly of heater core - as heat is rarley if ever used in Hawaii

Install used/cleaned/Tested ac evaporator from parts cars

 

Although I be happy using a switch with the AC being on all the time, Id like for

- It to disenguage at full throttle

- automatic Temperature control would be nice

 

If my 30yo evaporator tests out ok, will it work ok with 134a

 

Thanks to all in advance and I hope to buy my stuff from ACKITS great forum.

[nmbenson]

This is a long shot but where did you find/get the sanden adapter mount?

[cgsheen]

Don't get it... If you have 2 parts cars, both with factory A/C, why aren't you just removing a complete A/C system from one and installing it in your Z? (or using the best parts from each to equal a complete system...) Stock system converts well to R134a.

[greghassen]

i'm in hawaii too, the big island. you're probably on oahu right?

 

those hitachi compressors have been very good to me. the only problem with doing used compressors is you have

to invest a little time cleaning and flushing the compressor, mounting it, evacuating system and charging just

to see if its good. i've also run the sanden with good luck in the 280. I would NOT

buy a rebuilt sanden. the brand new ones are too cheap.

 

the main problem i've been having is with the factory stock expansion valve. they are no longer available and i bought 3 used ones before i found a good

one. i'm currently running r134 in mine and it works good. vent temps 40 on most days.

 

the stock condenser will be ok. try to carefully clean the fins as most ive seen are full of little rocks.

if you do lots of stop n go driving in honolulu you might invest in an electric pusher fan in front of the condenser. when i switch my fan on with the a/c gauges hooked up i can see a nice drop in high side pressure.

 

good luck finding a sanden mount. those puppies are rare nowdays. i saw one on ebay about a year ago. i should

have picked it up.

 

being on a budget, i'de just pick the compressor from your parts cars with the least grease on the front pulley and use that. flush it good especially if the a/c systems

have been open to the outside air.

 

 

 

you're very lucky having 2 parts cars in hawaii. most have rusted and are long gone here.

Edited June 7, 2011 by greghassen

[Powerglide]

The Hitachi is a good compressor. It does put a heavy load on the motor compared to a more modern compressor though. You'll feel it in the lack of off-idle snap and dramatically lower gas milage. Like 2 or 3 MPGs worse. But you WILL get cold air if the system is set up properly. The ancient flared factory fittings are ok (if they haven't been over tightened) with R12 in that they don't leak. But I will tell you this...R134a WILL tend to leak from the stock fittings and connections in these cars. And remember---R134a runs at slightly higher pressures than R12, exacerbationg any leakage that might not have been present with R12.

 

The BIGGEST problem with the stock system is a lack of airflow from the vents. The stock fan just does not move that much air, even on high. 40 degree air is great and considered the standard (that's what I get from mine too). But a lack of volume will NOT cool the car well on a really HOT day. The car will be comfortable with outdoor temps in the 80s. But in my experience, the stock a/c will not keep the interior cool when temps get much over 90 degrees, especially with lots of humidity. Tinting the windows---especially the hatch---will help considerably. An auxillary electric fan will help, especially in traffic and if the compressor has some miles on it. Remember, the key to cold air is AIRFLOW ACCROSS THE CONDENSOR. There is an outfit out of Texas that will sell you a NEW evaporator with expansion valve for about $400. That may be your only option these days. I'v heard mixed results with those Sanden compressors. They work. But NOT like a new car. And there's nothing worse than pukey 50 or 55 degree air from the vents on a humid 93 degree day. Especially when it takes 10 minutes to get there. You just won't stop sweating. Takes the fun out of driving the car.