Keeping AC on a S50 swap

[RoadHazard]

The engine came with the AC compressor but not sure if pipes and fittings will still fit. I know that I need a new belt. And the heater matrix needs to be modified at the bulk head. What else should I look for? Thanks.

[jaistanley]

You can indeed retain the AC with the S50 swap.. You need to get custom pipes joining the E36 compressor with the E30 pipe work. You will also need to splice E36 plugs onto the E30 clutch control and some extra wires onto your engine plug.

Ian has AC working on his and will be able to answer more questions and/or supply you with the wiring diagrams.

HTH

Jai

[DanThe]

You dont need to touch the engine plug or the compressor plugs unless you are upgrading to the R134a valve

[RoadHazard]

Thanks for info both of you. I do plan to upgrade to R134.

So, I probably should wait until the car is drivable, then take it to an AC shop to work on AC hoses and relevant stuff. I realized that I have to do something with the engine loom according to Dan's post in this thread but I haven't run into any info on the clutch control yet.

[DanThe]

You dont need to connect to the ECU, just use the original E30 AC loom as it is.
You can use the E36 ECU to control some of the AC if you wish but its not necessary for working AC

[RoadHazard]

So, air con connections in the E36 X20 plug are for ECU to control the AC? So I don't need them then. That's a good news because there are fewer wires to work on.

[jaistanley]

Don't you need a signal from the AC signal to the engine ECU to tell it to idle higher or something?

Jai

[RoadHazard]

Hello,

Do I need any of the parts shown here?



This borrowed pic is from a US E36 with an S50 euro motor

[RoadHazard]

Ok. Found the answer to my own question in Jhonno's thread.

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 798#649798