Socal_Tom

Good morning, hope everybody had a fun Halloween night.

I wanted to ask about air conditioning options for the 1984 with the S4 motor going into it. The air-conditioning system inside (cockpit) the '84 car is intact, but as part of the engine swap the A/C components on engine bay side of the car has been totally removed.

I have the S4 air-conditioning system from the S4 donor but there was not gas in it when it was taken apart and I don't know if it functioned. Looks good, but who knows....

I have all the original '84 A/C components still

With that background I have a couple questions if I may;

-Will the S4 stuff work in the 84?

-Is the '88 A/C "stuff" better to use with the 88 engine? I assume so but seems like it's worth asking.

-So long as I leave the A/C lines in place there won't be any huge labor issues if I decide to refit everything later on, right? The compressor and dryer etc aren't that hard to get to.

I am toying with the idea of leaving the air conditioning system out for because this is a performance oriented build and am keeping an eye on weight. I'd like to get 300 pounds out of the car, and as always when dealing with weight it is a chipping away process and the A/C components are part of that. I have a "spare" 87 S4 that I will will use for day in day out driving and I will fix the A/C on that one for sure. The '84 with the S4 bits is going to be more of a special purpose and event car, so skipping A/C for now should be a big deal in my mind, any thoughts or other POV on that?

Thanks!

dr bob

Tom --

The heavy bits are the compressor and bracket, and the condenser and drier will be "in the way" of airflow to the radiator. So maybe getting those out would be a Good Idea. The evaporator removal gets the dash out and the HVAC box apart. Maybe 10 lbs there. But, if you plan to EVER add AC back in, leave the aluminum AC hard lines, fuel cooler and TXV in place, along with the evaporator. Those pieces are less than ten pounds, and really need the engine out to be R-or-R'd. Cap or plug the lines.

At the PCA Festival of Speed event at Auto Club Speedway, the phrase "hot laps" was the appropriate term when taking touring laps. With AC working, it was a comfortable drive in the park. If you aren't making a serious race-only car, the AC will be worth its weight in cold in SoCal.

The Forgotten On

The 88 AC system is practically the same as the 84, same compressor, expansion valve, etc.

Everything will bolt up and match in your car's existing system.

Just keep in mind that a lack of equal tension on the crank shaft will cause some premature wear to the main bearings due to there being no belt to pull the crank to the right.

Even more so if you remove the smog pump.

griffiths

The AC system might add up to 40 lbs, stock compressor with brackets is in the range of 20 lbs, condenser and drier about 12 lbs. Taking out the evaporator is not worth the effort.

Most Sharks need AC for defrost situations and ambients above 70F.
So it's your call.

I've owned 3 sharks, 78, 84, 89. All blew cold air with R134a up into 95F ambient without issues.

Typical maintenance if you want to keep the AC would be:
1) Replace every o-ring in the system.
2) Replace the drier
3) Inspect compressor and re-seal if bores, pistons, wobble plate and reed valves are good, otherwise new comp.
4) The 2 hoses at the compressor.
5) If you have patience and time you could liquid flush the entire system; if you have rear air its more of a pita.
6) If you have rear air, modify it to by pass the rear evap; its worthless and can give you issues down the road.

If your concerned about weight while on the track, a gallon of gas is about 6.3 lbs. Your front passenger seat is the first thing I'd leave by the tool box along with any Justin Bieber or Barry Manilow CD's, anything in the glove box, might as toss out the rear seats and the air pump, etc., you really don't need ABS or airbags.

If you are running boost just up it a pound or two and keep the weight.