michael2e

time to swap out the original Nippondenso unit that has bad seals. Seems like either Sanden or Kuehl makes the best replacement for the $. Complete kit prices about the same for compressor, hi pressure hose, drier and fittings ($550-600). Any experiences with either of these or their install? Thanks

Mike

Tabor

Here is what Griffith's had to say to me in an e-mail:

[quote]Tabor,
I would suggest our Kuehl compressor kit
over the Sanden.
Years ago we introduced the Sanden and
it worked very well. The Sanden is a wobble
plate design, meaning it's pistons are on one side
of the wobble cam disk attached to the shaft.
Your Nippondenso is a swash plate design, meaning
it has pistons on both sides of the disk. More pistons
typically give you a smoother running system. The
Kuehl is a swash plate design.<hr></blockquote>

Skip

Why not replace with a rebuilt Nippondenso?

michael2e

Skip I considered that first- economical, straightforward repair,etc... however several forum posts as well as most A/C shops I have talked with recommend a new unit since the aftermarket prices are similar to the rebuilt OEM cost. The main concern was the quality of the rebuild. What has your experience been? I did check around and discovered companies offering up to 30 month guarantees on their rebuilt Nippondensos. I also talked to Charlie Griffith who now sells the Kuehl kits instead of Sandens and feels they are a better product with less vibration.

Skip

No experience with anything but replacement Nip* stuff. They do offer a 1-year on the rebuilt compressor though.

I'm not real familiar with this stuff, so this is more for my info than anything else. I looked at the parts list for each and it looks like ~$400 for all parts needed to convert to a Seltec compressor (unless I'm missing something - this includes the compressor, conversion kit, and drier). Seltec info: "Teflon Coated Pistons, 3 Double Sided Pistons for Smooth Operations, MoS2 Coated Steel Swash Plate Assy, Smooth and Quiet Operation"



Expect just under $500 for a rebuilt Nip unit with 1 yr warranty.

Skip

BC

Where would you get the Seltec compressor from Skip?

(Bringing this one out of the archives)

Sam Lin

I've heard that the Sanden is not a bolt-in, requires fitting, but then works well - I'm interested also.

Would anyone also happen to remember what web site sold a heavy duty/high capacity a/c condensor for these cars? It's the radiator looking thing that goes under the blower motor behind the firewall, I know I've seen one as a better-performance option somewhere for the 944, and can't find it again.

Sam

Charlie

I had an 86 that I put a rebuilt Nippondenso on. It lasted about a month, sent it back, received another under warranty and it lasted 2 or 3 months. Finally the 3rd one lasted about a year until I sold the car. A couple of years later on my 88 the Nippondenso went bad and I replaced it with the Sanden kit. The Sanden lasted about a year and the best I remember it started leaking oil around the front and the company I bought it from replaced it under warranty. The second won was still going when I sold the car approx a year later.

I have just purchased an 86 that I am repairing the engine. I can tell the compressor (Nippondenso) is bad by turning it. This time I think I will go with the Kuehl and see how it works. I believe anything is better than the Nippondenso.

Some ac links


http://www.griffiths.com/porsche/ac/

http://www.vertexauto.com/searchbuye...vertexauto.com

http://944online.com/newparts.asp

poindex30

How do you get the A/C compressor off. I tried to replace the o-rings this past summer but I couldn't even find the compressor bolts.

Thanks,

Mickey