V2Rocket

Hi all,

I am posting this to gauge interest for the 944 owners who want to keep AC on their cars but have been forced to convert to R134a. The stock AC condenser is a fine unit but designed for R12 instead of R134a so doesn't work quite so efficiently. There is also the ~20-30 years of rocks and birds stuck in the fins on the outside, and dirt and slime on the inside reducing cooling efficiency.

A stock replacement for the AC condenser for a late car is $400, early is NLA. There is a made-to-fit serpentine style condenser available for the 944 but it runs around $500.

Modern cars with R134a from the factory use a parallel-flow type of condenser - rather than a tube-and-fin style the gas flows into the end tanks and makes several passes across the heat exchange surface before being expelled as a liquid. More distance to travel through the condenser means more time to cool, and the passages are designed with R134a in mind.

I have modified an aftermarket parallel flow condenser to bolt-up to a 944 using factory bracketry. It worked so well for my customer's 944S that I am offering this as a service to Rennlisters. Send me your factory condenser and I will send you back a bolt-on parallel-flow replacement - I need the factory piece for its bracketry. I am offering this at $325 including parts, my time, and return shipping. I can build one for you and you send me your old ones afterwards on an exchange basis as well.

It should be noted that 2 AC lines will need to be modified and re-made to make this work. The compressor to condenser line needs to be lengthened and a different fitting attached; and the condenser to dryer line needs a few more inches and a different fitting as well. About $375 total if you want me to make the lines for you as well, or I can give you dimensions to do yourself.

If you would be interested in this, let me know here or PM me.

gregeast

Looks interesting Spencer. What kind of turnaround time are we talking about? What else do I need to convert to R134a?

V2Rocket

Turnaround time depends on what parts I have on hand. I need a factory condenser to salvage parts from and both hoses that attach to the factory condenser if you want me to make those too. I am about to make one for a Rennlister in CO with parts I have around but I won't have more after that.

You could send me your parts beforehand and I could have them turned around in a few days time.

To convert to R134a there are differing opinions but at the most basic level you need to drain the compressor of R12 oil and replace it with R134a oil, change the fittings to R134a fittings (screw on adapters at the local car store), replace as many O-rings as you can in the system with the new green ones (as you would be removing the compressor, condenser and dryer you are replacing most of the o-rings anyways), vacuum the system dry and if no leaks, fill with R134a to a charge approximately 75-80% of the weight of R12 (IIRC, late cars take 33oz R12 so ~24oz R134a needed, or 2 standard cans).

MooreBoost

i just threw away a condenser with lines because the condenser was no good

V2Rocket

There might be time to save it from the garbage truck

MooreBoost

lol that was a week ago. i can give you the address of the landfill

V2Rocket

That made me think of the opening scenes of "Slumdog Millionaire"

CurtP

I've been contemplating reworking the AC system for some time but the $1096+ shipping for the Griffiths kit/condenser has kept me from doing it. I wouldn't mind having you rework my condenser, maybe this winter, but I'd really like to complete the setup with a new compressor too.

I've converted to 134a, but I'm still running an XH-5 desiccant filter-drier. I need to change that too.

Butters944

What's involved to rig this up? Isn't it as simple as making the hose fittings work and making it mount correctly? What make/model condenser are you using?

V2Rocket

If you shop around you can beat that price.

Compressor:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/VTA-04808-VMA/

Mounting kit:
http://www.paragon-products.com/A-C-...44.126.009.htm

Dryer:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...73-943-00-M253

I just installed these exact parts on the same car as the condenser pictured about. Parts are nice quality, ship quickly, and are all brand new.

With those parts above and my condenser you'd be in ~$700 plus compressor/kit/dryer shipping. You'd need different (longer) hoses though, but those aren't much more.

Fara

I'm currently in the middle of un-@#$^ing my passenger cooling by removing an aftermarket airconditioner install. The condenser got launched out the front of the garage.

It's wired into EVERYTHING. -.-

V2Rocket

I salvaged the OEM brackets from the Porsche condenser and made some adapter pieces to connect them to the new condenser. Your condenser would be different because the early style mounts differently than the one pictured.

V2Rocket

Who did the install/what type did they install? The factory AC system is wired to the AC switches, the fan relay and high-speed fans, and the secondary air valve.

V2Rocket

Bump. Been getting a good bit of interest so far. If more people want them then I can turn them around faster...

CurtP

I'm very interested, but I'm trying to finish up the other projects on the car first. I'm looking at possibly a late winter/early spring timeframe. The problem I see with this is having to evacuate, disassemble and ship you the parts to be modified. I think I have a spare condenser, but I'd still have to take the lines off my car for modification.

Speaking of the lines - when you modify them, are you replacing or splicing the hoses to lengthen them?