Griffith's Kuehl AC System
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,862
Likes: 54
From: Bakersfield, CA
Griffith's Kuehl AC System
I am in the process of restoring a 87.
The plan is to keep the AC since I live in California's cental valley.
I am looking at aftermarket systems
Does anyone have any experience with the Kuehl system??
Seems like a well thought out and engineered system, but would love to hear some opinions
Thanks
The plan is to keep the AC since I live in California's cental valley.
I am looking at aftermarket systems
Does anyone have any experience with the Kuehl system??
Seems like a well thought out and engineered system, but would love to hear some opinions
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 6
From: San Mateo, CA
Well......... it's cooler in the Bay Area but back in 2009 I went with "AC Barrier Hose set with pressure switch, rings and dryer and compressor seal kit" per Griffiths invoice.
The issue is that the old hoses allow the refrigerant to "bleed" through the wall of the hoses. This was proven by invoices from a former owner showing repeated system recharge. Of course, I don't use mine much and it has held up all these years! Griffiths may catch this thread and chime in as done in the past. I'm not familiar with your referred" Kuehl system" as it may not have been available back in the day. Yeah, it gets hot in the Central Valley!! Good luck!
The issue is that the old hoses allow the refrigerant to "bleed" through the wall of the hoses. This was proven by invoices from a former owner showing repeated system recharge. Of course, I don't use mine much and it has held up all these years! Griffiths may catch this thread and chime in as done in the past. I'm not familiar with your referred" Kuehl system" as it may not have been available back in the day. Yeah, it gets hot in the Central Valley!! Good luck!
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,122
Likes: 571
From: Alabama
Griff's for 10 years in an 88 Cab. Works perfectly. Plenty cold in the cabin. Lived in south Florida, southern Alabama, southern Germany, and Hawaii with excursions into 100+ in Texas. Excellent customer support and quality equipment. It was in the mid-90's in Alabama last week and after being parked 8 hours in the hot sun with a dark blue interior, the cabin cooled down within 10 minutes and was a comfortable drive for the next 20 minutes in stop and go traffic in town with oil temps at the first narrow mark (90C). I did the two additional condensers in the left rear wheel well. Good luck.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 150
Likes: 2
From: DFW
I am in the process of restoring a 87.
The plan is to keep the AC since I live in California's cental valley.
I am looking at aftermarket systems
Does anyone have any experience with the Kuehl system??
Seems like a well thought out and engineered system, but would love to hear some opinions
Thanks
The plan is to keep the AC since I live in California's cental valley.
I am looking at aftermarket systems
Does anyone have any experience with the Kuehl system??
Seems like a well thought out and engineered system, but would love to hear some opinions
Thanks
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 294
From: Grapevine, TX
I installed the Kuehl evaporator with the associated expansion valve in y 84. The quality is second to none. Converted to R134a. I did my own thing for adding an additional condenser in the driver's rear wheel well (significantly more work but less $$), plus I was rebuilding all my lines with barrier hose so I could cut to lenfth and install any fittings necessary with no issue. I get vent temps in the low 30s on a triple digit day and the system will cycle on and off by the freeze switch.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,862
Likes: 54
From: Bakersfield, CA
Think my mind is made up. I appreciate the detailed response. I am usually on the race forums but have enjoyed being over here. I will toss some photos of the process once I get the parts
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 17,250
Likes: 2,219
From: SoCal
Hey stu. Their bits are good! My 89 ac on r12 works great. Where it lags is in slow traffic. That is where the griffiths system with the extra condenser with fan is fantastic. That rear condenser struggles at low speeds.
However. I have a compressor seeping a bit. So gotta replace that.
However. I have a compressor seeping a bit. So gotta replace that.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,406
Likes: 34
I have the Keep Keuhl system on my ‘81 SC with the extra wheel well condenser, it works great and completely recommend it! My mechanic, Storz garage in Denver who has been strictly Porsche and air cooled since the ‘70’s said in a very gruff voice: “Don’t try and go with a cheaper system, the lines won’t fit, get the Griffith’s system”. Get the wheel well condenser!!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,460
Likes: 1,627
From: Cambridge Ontario Canada
I have the Keep Keuhl system on my ‘81 SC with the extra wheel well condenser, it works great and completely recommend it! My mechanic, Storz garage in Denver who has been strictly Porsche and air cooled since the ‘70’s said in a very gruff voice: “Don’t try and go with a cheaper system, the lines won’t fit, get the Griffith’s system”. Get the wheel well condenser!!
