Center console mods ?
07-01-2002, 12:42 AM
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Center console mods ?
Greetings,
While I am waiting for the set of manuals to come in (on backorder...) before I tackle working on the center console, I want to run some things by the experts. I have purchased a new Blaupunkt Honolulu radio to replace the showy Clarion unit. One of the PO's had removed the clock on the console and replaced it with a knight-rider style roving LED display that shows that the after-market alarm system is armed. The new radio has a clock built-in so a clock will not be needed.
Here's what I have been thinking. The center piece of the console (with the LED display, rear A/C controls, ashtray and A/T transmission surround) looks kind of ratty. I would like to fabricate my own from lexan or plexiglass and utilize the leather boot that I bought from Jager to go around my transission lever. I already have the shifter. I would cover the center piece either with leather or carbon fiber. Would I be able to disconnect the rear A/C controls and block off the wires ?
I think this would look very clean, especially if I could mount it in the same way as the original is mounted. What are your thoughts ?
Rob <img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" />
While I am waiting for the set of manuals to come in (on backorder...) before I tackle working on the center console, I want to run some things by the experts. I have purchased a new Blaupunkt Honolulu radio to replace the showy Clarion unit. One of the PO's had removed the clock on the console and replaced it with a knight-rider style roving LED display that shows that the after-market alarm system is armed. The new radio has a clock built-in so a clock will not be needed.
Here's what I have been thinking. The center piece of the console (with the LED display, rear A/C controls, ashtray and A/T transmission surround) looks kind of ratty. I would like to fabricate my own from lexan or plexiglass and utilize the leather boot that I bought from Jager to go around my transission lever. I already have the shifter. I would cover the center piece either with leather or carbon fiber. Would I be able to disconnect the rear A/C controls and block off the wires ?
I think this would look very clean, especially if I could mount it in the same way as the original is mounted. What are your thoughts ?
Rob <img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" />
07-01-2002, 03:35 AM
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that shouldn't be too hard to work out. just unplug the AC controls and tape over them. then make it one solid piece with the only opening for the shift boot. no ashtray either. but you might want the light plug to come out somewhere...
07-01-2002, 11:30 AM
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Hi Dave,
It sure does sound like it would work. Regarding the lighter, personally, I have never liked the idea of having to depend on that "blow it up yourself" spare. Not to mention having to buy a compressor also. I am planning to purchase an extra S4 rim and tire and just carry that in the back. I would like to build a box behind the rear seats that would hide the extra tire, some tools and possibly a sub woofer.
Rob
It sure does sound like it would work. Regarding the lighter, personally, I have never liked the idea of having to depend on that "blow it up yourself" spare. Not to mention having to buy a compressor also. I am planning to purchase an extra S4 rim and tire and just carry that in the back. I would like to build a box behind the rear seats that would hide the extra tire, some tools and possibly a sub woofer.
Rob
07-01-2002, 12:02 PM
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since some late 88's came with hot lighter plugs, i use that to plug my battery maintainer into. so for me it'd have to be there somewhere. maybe on the side.
you could always drill holes for extra gauges too...
you could always drill holes for extra gauges too...
07-01-2002, 01:24 PM
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Paul Jager has created some nice detail pieces that also could add to the updated look you may be looking for:
<a href="http://www.jageng.com/interiorprogram.htm" target="_blank">http://www.jageng.com/interiorprogram.htm</a>
<a href="http://www.jageng.com/interiorprogram.htm" target="_blank">http://www.jageng.com/interiorprogram.htm</a>
07-01-2002, 01:49 PM
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Hmm, extra gauges... (insert Homer Simpson voice here) ahhhhhhh.
I already have the aluminum bezels for the buttons and the shifter with the full boot. What I was thinking is that the full boot from Jager only fills in the space where the original slider plate was. What about swapping it for a GTS style full-size leather boot ?
Rob <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />
I already have the aluminum bezels for the buttons and the shifter with the full boot. What I was thinking is that the full boot from Jager only fills in the space where the original slider plate was. What about swapping it for a GTS style full-size leather boot ?
Rob <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />
07-01-2002, 04:27 PM
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Would you want to completely eliminate the controls for the rear AC? You should run it every now and then, otherwise the seals in the lines to the rear evaporator might dry out and cause leaks in the system.
I don't quite understand the reasoning behind your spare tire project. The 928 has different wheel and rim sizes in front and rear, so you have only a 50% chance you have the right tire with you. It takes up a lot of space, and adds a lot of weight. Then how do you secure it enough, so it won't fly into your neck in case of an accident? Just a box around it won't do - you'll have to drill some holes, and secure rim and box with screws. In over 5 years of 928 ownership I have never needed the spare.
I don't quite understand the reasoning behind your spare tire project. The 928 has different wheel and rim sizes in front and rear, so you have only a 50% chance you have the right tire with you. It takes up a lot of space, and adds a lot of weight. Then how do you secure it enough, so it won't fly into your neck in case of an accident? Just a box around it won't do - you'll have to drill some holes, and secure rim and box with screws. In over 5 years of 928 ownership I have never needed the spare.
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07-01-2002, 04:56 PM
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Nicole,
Personally, I just don't like the whole space saver thing and having a spare that I have to rely on a small compressor to fill up is even worse in my opinion. I would much rather have a full size spare.
Regarding the rear A/C, that's something that I also would like to take out. To me it seems like just something else to add complexity to. I have to admit that for myself I would have never put that in a car like we drive. What's the purpose ? The rear seats aren't big enough to carry "Mini-Me" in them and while we are at it, what's with the sun visors...
Rob <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />
Personally, I just don't like the whole space saver thing and having a spare that I have to rely on a small compressor to fill up is even worse in my opinion. I would much rather have a full size spare.
Regarding the rear A/C, that's something that I also would like to take out. To me it seems like just something else to add complexity to. I have to admit that for myself I would have never put that in a car like we drive. What's the purpose ? The rear seats aren't big enough to carry "Mini-Me" in them and while we are at it, what's with the sun visors...
Rob <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />
07-01-2002, 06:23 PM
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If someone is gonna go thru the trouble of removing their rear a/c components, I would definitely take the time to clean the evaporator coil that resides next to the blower motor.
The amount of debris and fibers in the air that collect on this coil really hampers the efficiency of the a/c system. If you take the time to clean it, you will not regret the time spent on this DIY repair.
John D.
'85 928 Auto, Black
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The amount of debris and fibers in the air that collect on this coil really hampers the efficiency of the a/c system. If you take the time to clean it, you will not regret the time spent on this DIY repair.
John D.
'85 928 Auto, Black
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
07-01-2002, 07:17 PM
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John,
Pardon my ignorance (and also not having my manuals yet...), but does that coil effect the entire system ? Would cleaning that really help the entire system ? I didn't know that. My mani goal was to clean up the center console and it seemed to me that it was cheaper to fabricate a new section than to buy a used section. I could be wrong though. If I could get a really good looking center section (with new ashtray, analog clock) and still use a GTS style leather boot, I would be happy.
Rob
Pardon my ignorance (and also not having my manuals yet...), but does that coil effect the entire system ? Would cleaning that really help the entire system ? I didn't know that. My mani goal was to clean up the center console and it seemed to me that it was cheaper to fabricate a new section than to buy a used section. I could be wrong though. If I could get a really good looking center section (with new ashtray, analog clock) and still use a GTS style leather boot, I would be happy.
Rob
07-01-2002, 08:00 PM
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Robert,
There are actually five main components of an a/c system: They are the condemsor, evaporator, metering device, compressor, and the piping linking all the other four components.
The evap coil has been covered in many posts already, won't get into everything again. But, the evaporator coil's main purpose to transfer heat from the air to the refrigerant gas flowing thru it. When air is cooled, the air's affinity to hold water goes down. So, naturally the water will drop on the coil and drain out.
If a coil has less air flowing thru it by obstruction, say a "Lint" like substance. The evap. coil does not absorb as much heat as it was engineered for. The evap coil will then not be able to drop as much condensate out of the air either. This scenario makes for a warmer temp. and a higher humidity in the car.
When the gas leaves the evap and returns to the compressor the gas is not as hot as it should be for the ambient temp. This makes for the whole system to be out of wack, pressure wise. Since temperature and pressure has a direct relationship, the whole system does not work as well as it should if one neglects one or more of the main components.
Yes, the a/c will still work but not as well as it would if it was maintained like any other piece of machinery.
My shark only has front a/c. My a/c blows frigid. I have cleaned my blower cage, evap coil, and condensor. Doing these 3 things made the most drastic change in my a/c system, besides changing My 'HWSOV'. Michigans summers suck. We have high humidity, and now this summer it's hot. (Anyone knowing Michigans weather will attest, it never is the same somewhere between 70-90 degrees)
John D.
'85 928 Auto, Black
There are actually five main components of an a/c system: They are the condemsor, evaporator, metering device, compressor, and the piping linking all the other four components.
The evap coil has been covered in many posts already, won't get into everything again. But, the evaporator coil's main purpose to transfer heat from the air to the refrigerant gas flowing thru it. When air is cooled, the air's affinity to hold water goes down. So, naturally the water will drop on the coil and drain out.
If a coil has less air flowing thru it by obstruction, say a "Lint" like substance. The evap. coil does not absorb as much heat as it was engineered for. The evap coil will then not be able to drop as much condensate out of the air either. This scenario makes for a warmer temp. and a higher humidity in the car.
When the gas leaves the evap and returns to the compressor the gas is not as hot as it should be for the ambient temp. This makes for the whole system to be out of wack, pressure wise. Since temperature and pressure has a direct relationship, the whole system does not work as well as it should if one neglects one or more of the main components.
Yes, the a/c will still work but not as well as it would if it was maintained like any other piece of machinery.
My shark only has front a/c. My a/c blows frigid. I have cleaned my blower cage, evap coil, and condensor. Doing these 3 things made the most drastic change in my a/c system, besides changing My 'HWSOV'. Michigans summers suck. We have high humidity, and now this summer it's hot. (Anyone knowing Michigans weather will attest, it never is the same somewhere between 70-90 degrees)
John D.
'85 928 Auto, Black