mikey Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 HELLO PEEPS This is my plan, pull the full air conditioning wizardry from a pick-a-part car and put it in my 240z. I'll pick a car that has a rooly simple AC system with just a button to turn AC on/off, no climate control. Probably end out using the AC pump which came with my engine. Most likely stick with the existing 240z heater unit, but swap in the blower and AC box in front of it. I'll no doubt have to bend up some new lines and stuff and buy some wacky connectors and crimping tools. Or maybe just get an AC chap to do that bit. Someone tell me why this is a bad idea. Worst thing about it is it will clutter my engine bay, but the car is so damn uncomfortable to drive in summer traffic it'll be worth it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
77magnum13hundy Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Whats the going rate for a re-gass these days? i was under the impression its about 6 hundy odd... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xsspeed Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Only real issue is what refrigerant your AC compressor was designed to run, and whether that is still available, and if not does one of the modern refrigerants work as a direct replacement (often you end up with a little bit less (derated) cooling capacity when you try to do this) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubastreet Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Make sure everything's made for R134A refrigerant rather than the old R12 to avoid issues. I think that's roughly mid 90s on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xsspeed Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 R22 was still common on jap stuff through mid nineties, what year is your motor Mikey? Is it from a 350z? If so compressor wise you will be sweet (sorry forgot ^up there for a sec you had done the swap!) Same rules apply thoguh, so just find out what refrigerant your compressor is for, and then try to find the same spec gear on a PAP car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikey Posted July 9, 2013 Author Share Posted July 9, 2013 If I'm honest I've already pinched all the gear from a Nissan Sentra on Sunday. The dash is out getting fixed up so it's the perfect time to sort out AC. The pump is deffo R134A, and I'm pretttttty sure the other gear is too, so should be sweet but will double check. If I'm not mistaken they can flush the other stuff out too? Anyway I'll check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xsspeed Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 I forget off the top of my head exactly which, but some refrigerants have oil in them to keep the compressor happy, so if the sentra gear had this, and your 134a comp does not agree it might not be worth the effort of flushing. I'd sugegst finding whoever will be doing the regassing and asking their thoughts though 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikey Posted July 9, 2013 Author Share Posted July 9, 2013 I'd sugegst finding whoever will be doing the regassing and asking their thoughts though Yeah I totally agree, I'll hit them up for sure. Just wanted to sanity check with you guys first. Doing AC this way looks like it'll cost me fuck all. Esp compared with VintageAir. And it'll be less intrusive too; I can keep all the original heater controls and stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 The oil thing is mostly for some older R12 compressors, they need to flush out the oil and put in a oil that is compatible with R134. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xsspeed Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Keen to see how you get on, to satisfy my HVAC boner I was part way through retrofitting aircon to my brown corolla before I decided I would sell it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Hope to have mine all sorted before summer, old R12 system and it will have to go to R134. Not looking forward to how average it will run, the old systems on these tanks would blow snow out the vents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikey Posted July 9, 2013 Author Share Posted July 9, 2013 I would love to have have properly cold AC. But any drop in temp would help. Sitting in auckland traffic on a hot day is unbearable with a black interior. I often end out opening the door and leaning outside. It's bawls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldturkey Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Just move down here. Your car will never overheat either. /spam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0R10N Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 I recommend having a chat to Kevin at Alert Auto Air in Devonport - fairly confident he will be able to assist with your endeavour, and can probably bend up all the requisite lines to suit. Sheepers knows him too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Yea talking to a GC AC dude is recommended, anyone friendly enough should give you some good free advice. Try hide all the lines etc best you can as well, they usually look like shit from the factory and a lot can be done to tidy them up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikey Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 I recommend having a chat to Kevin at Alert Auto Air in Devonport - fairly confident he will be able to assist with your endeavour, and can probably bend up all the requisite lines to suit. Sheepers knows him too. OK Super! I'll pop out and have a yarn next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R100 Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 last time i got my serena regassed it cost me $60 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keltik Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Since were on the DIY aircon topic, does anyone have tips for diagnosing faults that the home handyman can follow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikey Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 This is the gear I have so far, I just checked and it's all R134A, yuss! So....... how the fuck does this shit work? There's an electromagnetic clutch on the compressor yeah? When I want AC I just give that 12v I'm guessing. That little canister next to the condenser is a drier I'm guessing? It's got a couple of wires coming out of it. What are they for? A warning light once it's done it's dash? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtis1791 Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 The canister on the condenser is pretty much a filter so should get a new one of those. The wires coming out of it are a pressure switch. The system should use a high pressure and a low pressure switch which cut in and out the compressor using the clutch. I done a 2 day course on air con last year and have a few books which can help with diagnosing pretty much all the problems you can face with ac. And they also would probably help to get you set up. Whatever you need to know I should have it in these books. So ask and ill find as much info as you need to get it all working. Youll also need to make sure 1 of your lines has a tx valve in it which drops the pressure down before it enters the evaporator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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