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the manual versions are about 4 inches taller than the auto versions. The easiest way to tell is that on the auto the large tube is on the top row on the left and is angled downward at a 45 degree angle. The manual that downward angled part is about 3-4 inches down from the top on the left side. This is so the auto cars transmission cooler can mount above the condenser. Auto version. Notice the trans cooler on top. Manual version. Notice that the cooler goes all the way up to the top of the radiator.
Have you considered using a parallel flow condenser? They are supposed to be about 35% more efficient in rejecting heat. There is someone out there making parallel flow condensers to fit 928 5spds. I know Tom. M has one on his 1989 GT and Paul Schmucker from Every Day Driver has one in his 1986 5spd. While I am not sure who made Tom's condenser, Paul mentions that his condenser was made by 928 Motorsports Inc out of Utah (
the manual versions are about 4 inches taller than the auto versions. The easiest way to tell is that on the auto the large tube is on the top row on the left and is angled downward at a 45 degree angle. The manual that downward angled part is about 3-4 inches down from the top on the left side. This is so the auto cars transmission cooler can mount above the condenser.
Auto version. Notice the trans cooler on top.
Manual version. Notice that the cooler goes all the way up to the top of the radiator.
I can't remember exactly who supplied the parallel flow condenser when I redid my A/C, but searching back in rennlist I think it was one of the "American Condenser" ones linked back in 2012. Of course the website is gone now and I can only find links to ebay (as posted above).
It's shorter than the factory manual condenser but looks a little taller than the auto one (no room for a trans cooler on top for sure). I looked for any stampings or markings but none were visible where I could access.
As far as performance, no measured temps or anything like that but it cools the black interior very well (my GT doesn't have the rear a/c). It does seem to freeze up the evaporator after long use so I'll need to adjust the freeze switch at some point.
Still going strong for over 10 years now (redone in 2012).
yep. it's hard to imagine, but it was worse than the griffith version I have now. I pulled it out of the box stuffed it back in, and taped it up and the UPS driver had it back on his truck before he got to the end of my street. Making a condenser should be easy but the quality is so crappy that if the brackets are not right you will have to put it in a bind just to get it to mount.
Griffiths made them for a few years and then stopped. More than likely they had 1 or 2 production runs and it took them too long to sell so they never had any more made. I'll check with Garrity later this week. Mine was incredibly banged up and I spent the morning cleaning it and straightening fins so I have a backup.
I have found what I think is the universal condenser they used. 14 by 25.5.
My local AC shop says they can solder the connections. My thinking is we can source the connections from our condensers. Then all that is needed are the mounting brackets. That is the long pole in the process.
But, before I start down this path is there a real interest in parallel condensers auto and five speed?
It could be a complete assembly or a kit to build yourself.
@Kevin in Atlanta : You have at least one person interested, in me. I don't remember seeing this in the pile of parts for the GT, so I'd want to add something back in, at some point.
Hi Kevin, thanks for considering this. I would be interested in a Parallel Flow Condensor. I would need a shorter one. All the GTS cars use the shorter one because the trans cooler is used for automatic and 5spds. And since @Zirconocene are practically neighbors we can save on shipping.
If we are going to look into making new condensers using the Parallel Flow Design, we should reconfirm some dimensions of the OEM sizes for Automatics and 5spds. The dimensions of the condensers used in cars with the transmission cooler are 13" tall and 25.5" wide. The transmission cooler is 2.75" tall and 25.5" wide. That Griffiths unit you have is only 1" taller than those used with a transmission cooler. That does not seem like its the same size as the OEM 5spd condenser.It would seem that it could be up to 15.75" tall and still fit. Can someone provide the physical dimensions of the taller condenser used in Pre 1992 5spd cars?
Also note on GTS cars, 5spds used the transmission cooler for as well. So all GTS cars use the smaller condenser. However, in 1993 the connections to the compressor were changed to support 134a differences.
If we source a universal condenser with threaded connections, then the custom hose connections for the pre/post 1993 model year change could be interchanged by threading them on. All the condensers could use the same chassis mounting fixtures.
Last edited by Michael Benno; 07-05-2023 at 01:46 PM.
07-04-2023, 12:58 AM
