Rear/second A/C
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 61
My experience with a 78 & 84 without rear air, and an 89 with rear air:
Although our climate is not consistently as warm as southern areas, we do get the 95F+ days, high humidity, and heat soaking interiors.
Never had any complaints with AC performance using R134a on the early models. On the later with dual evap's, when you turn on the rear air the front vent temps rise. So I typically left the rear system off. Most of the cooling effect comes from the front vents. If the rear cockpit area was larger, say alike an SUV, I'd consider it could be a benefit. In my case I seldom had passengers in the back. Although, I did consider building platform on top of the rear louvers to chill some Becks.
Whether the rear air system is benefit may be a personal choice. Some people have high metabolism rates than others. Additionally, darker exterior car colors and interior colors can be absorb more heat lighter colors.
The rear air system can add complications, simply additional components subject to failure at some point: TEV's, evap coil, solenoid valve and blower motor are common. We do questions from client's asking how to disconnect or bypass the rear air system.
If I was in the market for a Shark today, naturally I'd be shopping for an 87+, I'd consider the condition of the rear air and would be pondering the time to disconnect from the loop. This based on my past experiences with Sharks.
Although our climate is not consistently as warm as southern areas, we do get the 95F+ days, high humidity, and heat soaking interiors.
Never had any complaints with AC performance using R134a on the early models. On the later with dual evap's, when you turn on the rear air the front vent temps rise. So I typically left the rear system off. Most of the cooling effect comes from the front vents. If the rear cockpit area was larger, say alike an SUV, I'd consider it could be a benefit. In my case I seldom had passengers in the back. Although, I did consider building platform on top of the rear louvers to chill some Becks.
Whether the rear air system is benefit may be a personal choice. Some people have high metabolism rates than others. Additionally, darker exterior car colors and interior colors can be absorb more heat lighter colors.
The rear air system can add complications, simply additional components subject to failure at some point: TEV's, evap coil, solenoid valve and blower motor are common. We do questions from client's asking how to disconnect or bypass the rear air system.
If I was in the market for a Shark today, naturally I'd be shopping for an 87+, I'd consider the condition of the rear air and would be pondering the time to disconnect from the loop. This based on my past experiences with Sharks.
