951Porschiste

Has anyone used this kit to replace their A/C compressor? My A/C compressor is seized and I need to replace it. However, a new one from the Porsche dealer is over $2000 CDN.

www.griffiths.com

JDeitz951

I installed one in May, it has been great! One little 1" spacer for the mounting bolt needed to be shaved down by approx 1/16", but otherwise it bolted right up. You will need the new high pressure hose and to splice in the new low pressure hose. The low pressure hose was a real bitch to splice due to space restrictions. I wound up taking off the air filter box, IC pipes and j-boot. to get at it.

951Porschiste

Thanks for the info. Did install the components yourself then get the system charged at an A/C shop? How did you clean out the system prior to installation? What is the exact routing of the low pressure hose? The high pressure hose is the hose that runs from the compressor to the condensor?

JDeitz951

Yes, I installed compressor, condenser, drier and hoses, then AC shop did the rest for $95 (evac & charge).

Low pressure hose runs from the compresor back and up along the front of the wheel well appearing next to coolant resevoir, where it is crimped to a steel line, that's why you must splice right behind the alternator.

Sam Lin

I plan to replace my street car's components with Griffiths stuff soon - good to hear it works and fits.

Sam

Tom M'Guinn

Just out of curiosity, why didn't you use R134a with that compressor. I got the impression from the website that the Kuelh compressor was designed to work well with R134a, no?

turbo944

He doesn't say he didn't use it....and for the cost of shop time and the refrigerant, I'd say $95 was with R134. Although the home mechanic can put it in, it's a bit of a gamble to get it right and you need to evacuate the system first to remove any moisture/etc. I plan on using this kit in the very near future myself and will also take it to be evacuated and charged by someone who knows more about this than I do. I don't really want to have to go through it twice...

How long did the actual swap work take you?

Tom M'Guinn

Good point, maybe so.

Ski

Jim L(jwl) put the kit in his car, I've ridden in it and I thought my Sanden and new stuff was cold, that system is ICE COLD!

Mike S

How much is the Griffith's kit that you installed?

Ski

Mike, I think Jim paid just over/under a $1k. comp, condensor, all hoses, brackets, etc.

Sam Lin

My total was between $800 and $1000 when I checked with Griffiths 2 months back, that was without replacing certain smaller parts like lines, expansion valve, and dryer. $1000 should be a safe total to get totally new AC.

Sam

JDeitz951

Sorry, been working late nights (on the 951). Yes, it is R134. It took about two 3-hr sessions to install. A good 2 hrs was splicing that one line. I got the kit plus condenser for a good deal less than 1000 cuz I picked it up and paid cash. The condenser has a lot to do with why it's so cold, it's more efficient than stock condenser.

turbo944

Excellent! Thanks for the info! Grrrr...I'm at work the entire time they are open and I haven't been able to get 5 minutes to call and order mine yet. Monday though.....

B951S

I just got a rebuilt compressor and new dryer for a few hundred bucks. Put them in and pulled a vaccum for 30 min, charged with 134 oil and filled with 134. The whole thing cost no more than 400 bucks. Works fine, not as good as R12, but works good enough to drive aroung in a 100 degree day.