Giantman

I was thinking of removing the A/C from an '83SC Cabriolet. Why? Well because it looks heavy, takes up space, doesn't work very well and is pretty ugly.

Anyone know how much time/labor is involved in the removal and visa versa (should I decide to sell down the track)?

Also, is the weight loss even noticalbe? I think it's about 60lbs all up, is that correct? Will the car feel any different or is it just too small a weight reduction on its own?

Thanks for any input!

Bill Gregory

Well, if you remove your a/c, and then backdate your hot air to the mid-70's (removes the blower in the left hand corner of the engine compartment), you'll be amazed at how much space there is in the engine compartment. You can see a picture in the 911SC FAQ at tech.rennlist.com in the last chapter on street/track preparation. With that setup, if you do your own work, you'll really appreciate the added space. When I removed the a/c, it may have taken around 4? hours.

Jay H

My brother removed the A/C from his '83 SC coupe. The compressor, condensor and hoses from his car weighed around 60 pounds.

Jay
90 964

Peter Zimmermann

It's actually a fun Saturday project, and as Bill stated, allow about 4-5 hours. If your A/C ever gets "restored" you will need all new barrier hoses and a new receiver/dryer, so you can discard those items. You might want to take a series of digital pics of the project as you go. You will end up with many screw holes, I put all the hose clamp screws back in their holes with a little dab of silicone (no water-entering problems). Be prepared with latex gloves - removal is a filthy job! It is much easier to do on a hoist because you need access to the underside of the car in a number of places (left fenderwell, under the front nose, etc.). My SC A/C system weighed 65 lbs...
Pete

KC911

I wouldn't discard any hoses...if you do decide to reinstall (with barrier hoses), you can reuse the fittings on the ends, and use the old hoses as a pattern for the new ones (or so I'm told). That being said however, I removed all of my hoses in one piece, and it would have been somewhat easier to cut the hoses in a couple of places. Question for you guys...although I still have the evaporator unit (smuggler's box), I've removed everything else, and as I recall, everything weighed just a bit over 50 lbs. I was expecting everything to weigh a bit more (mine's an '88)... did the A/C system go on a 'diet' on the Carrera's? Ditching the A/C and backdating the heat sure cleans up the engine compartment and makes for easy access...imo, it's a no-brainer on a cab....whaddaya need A/C for anyways

SRL

If your compressor is still good and there's ANY chance you or someone else will want to re-install, be sure to seal and fittings that the hoses attach to IMMEDIATELY after removal from the car. These units do not like foreign matter/air getting in and I've seen compressors that were perfectly good upon removal turn to absolute junk upon reinstallation, presumably because they weren't sealed when stored.

Peter Zimmermann

All good points, but barrier hoses are readily available as kits these days. Not that many years ago I would NEVER had suggested to discard them, but today it's OK. As far as a "diet" is concerned, yes. Your rotary compressor is lighter than the York type used in older cars. Also, your compressor mounting platform is aluminum, vs the steel units used in SCs. Definitely seal up, as suggested, your compressor and condensers immediately...
Pete

Clipboard

What Peter says. I'm so glad I removed the entire system. Do make sure that each time you remove one of those fat brass (or whatever) screws you immediately put the screw back in with silicone goop - a little dab'l do ya. Otherwise (at my age anyhow) you've got to remember where each of those little holes is/was. It is indeed a filthy job, but the a/c removal and heater backdate make it so easy to work around the engine when you're done. For resale, if a/c is a must, adding the rotary compressor and modern lines is necessary anyway. Compressor, two condensors, 20+/- feet of hose, dryer, all the crap in the smugglers' box ---- GONE!
Gets your 'in touch' with your car, too.
john

82Targa

What about the refridgerant? Does it need to be sucked out somehow? Is it dangerous?

Peter Zimmermann

R12 should always be removed professionally with a recovery machine before you disassemble...
Pete

M491

I did that on my SC, was very happy with the results.

I think you can toss the compressor, the lines, and the receiver/drier. Those are all parts that would not be reused if someone really wanted to revive the AC in the car. The new, updated parts are not that expensive, and work a lot better. (For example, see the kits sold by www.rennaire.com)

JBO

Regarding resale, though I have a targa and it is not a daily driver, and as it turns out I rarely use the A/C, when I was looking for a 911 a few years ago I automatically excluded cars without A/C. I believe many potential buyers would do the same. Thus definitely keep all of the A/C stuff. My A/C was updated by the PO and it actually works well, especially at night in the summer when it's hot & humid in ATL., so if I'm going to a dress up dinner I can take the 911 and be comfortable, so it's worth having just for those occassions.