AC retrofit

[MikeeMiracle]

Does anyone know whats involved in retro fitting an AC unit to a car that has never had it? Is it more hassle that it's worth?

Thanks

[stevetigger]

YES

[ad318i]

YES

coming from a guy whos spent over 3 months fitting the new engine lol

[Simon]

YES

I dis-agree, there was a recent thread about this, and it had some very good information.

[Simon]

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ing+aircon

There's a few more too, do a quick search for aircon in e30chat.

I'm fitting a system to my touring at the moment, it's on hold at the moment though as the car is in use!!

[MikeeMiracle]

Thanks, went looking and found that thread after your initial post. Looks like it's more hassle than it's worth....or at least what im willing to do.

[Demlotcrew]

Im in the process of fitting mines also, really need it in this weather!

Andrew

[stevetigger]

open the windows you pfft's

[ian332isport]

It's well worth the effort when you have a black car with a dark interior

I've been cruising with the windows firmly shut this week

It looks like a big job, but you can do it in stages. Once the heater box is fitted, you can put everything back together and keep on driving. You can add all the other bits at a later date as time and funds allow.

I guess the hardest job these days is finding a good used A/C setup in the first place.

Ian.

[Martinaston]

Have to agree, a black cars no fun in this heat. just can't bring myself to pull the dash out again

[FlappySocks]

I learnt a lot about aircon, when I repaired a failed system in my old Jaguar.

There is a lot to go wrong, especially if the original system has leaked at anytime in its life (usually due to lack of use). All o-rings/seals should be replaced. The receiver/dryer must be replaced. Then you need to flush the entire system, vac it, and make sure there is the correct amount of oil is added before recharging.

If there are any leaks, then you might have to pull the dashboard again! It would probably be better to install a self contained evaporator and fan below the centre console with custom pipework to the engine bay to save you having to pull the dashboard.

Stuart.

[Theo]

would there be any differences in an air conditioning setup from a lhd car to a rhd car? Also, are they different depending on whether they are 4cyl compared to 6cyl?

[ian332isport]

If there are any leaks, then you might have to pull the dashboard again!

This is not the case on the E30 system (talking proper BMW system here). You initially need to remove the dash to get the A/C heater box in, but once that's done, you can remove and replace any of the A/C parts without further dash removal. There's a small access panel on the side of the heater box that allows the evaporator to be removed.

Ian.

[ian332isport]

would there be any differences in an air conditioning setup from a lhd car to a rhd car? Also, are they different depending on whether they are 4cyl compared to 6cyl?

The difference between LHD and RHD is only in the pipes that run under the dash from the bulkhead to the evaporator.

On LHD they run tight up against the bulkhead and are a little shorter. On RHD they are longer and have to come out and around the pedal box. All other pipework is the same regardless of LHD/RHD (assuming the same engine style). My setup came from an M3, so I'm 100% on this

There will be slight differences around the compressor with different engines. Compressors and mounting brackets can vary, as can the length of pipes due to position of the compressor in the engine bay (an M3 compressor will be in a different position to a 325i etc). This difference in position will require different pipes/hoses. Swapping it from one 325i to another would be pretty much plug 'n' play. As mentioned above, you also need to replace all the seals and the receiver/dryer container.

It would be a relatively expensive job fitting an M3 setup into an otherwise standard 325i because a lot of the pipes would need replacing. I wasn't fussed with this because of my engine conversion. I had to make custom pipework to connect the E36 compressor to the E30 pipework, so not much is standard anyway.

Ian.

[Theo]

Thanks for that Ian, very interesting to read, will give it some thought, i'm sure my mind will be made up next time I sit in my car and get melted to the black leather!

[FlappySocks]

I know it's a bit of a solution, but you could always get one of those wooden beaded car seat covers for those really hot days. Saves you getting stuck to your seat, and leaving a wet patch all down your back.

Stuart

[Brianmoooore]

Rode in one of the Midlalnd (Jordan) F1 trucks a couple of weeks ago.
Full aircon etc., but also had a fan in the seats, sucking air in through the fabric. Lovely and cool!