hat.paradox

Hey y'all. I just got my 1982 RX-7 GSL (131k, bone stock and in beautiful condition, one owner). The only thing that's really wrong with it (other than a shaky idle, going to a garage full of Mazda fanatics soon so) is the air conditioning. I talked to the man who sold me the car and he said it had to do with the different freon technologies used back in the 80s and the ones of today, and I remember reading about some kind of climate control conversion kit that uses the today's freon. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks!
To reiterate:

1982 Mazda RX-7 GSL
NO MODS AT ALL
Last serious maintenance was done last year, I believe it was the air filter
131k mi.
Only other problem is a shaky idle that will be soon fixed.
A/C does not blow cold air, original owner said something about the freon and how the system is different from today's.

Thanks!!

Joe428

These cars use R12 as the refrigerant. Unless you have a stash of R12 or live near Mexico you're going to have to swap. Modern cars use R134a. You "can" use R134a in a R12 system but it requires flushing the whole system as they use different lubricants. Your efficiency will go down as well as R134a is not as effective as R12 was.

Some companies make R12 substitutes. Some people also use other gases like propane or R152a (computer duster spray).

Hopefully I have given you some basic info so you can figure out what you want to do from here. There are tons of classic car articles and forum posts to assist you.

rwatson5651

iTrader: (5)

Check with your local garage that does AC work, many of them around my location have the R12 for use with the older cars, maybe it is the same where you live.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

+1 on the R152a, works as well as R12 for a fraction of the cost. When used to
replace R134 in modern cars it really works well.

OnlyOnThurs

Switch to r134...I did in my 82 Gs and it worked great

hat.paradox

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. If I were to use R152a, would that require some additive? As with my experience with airsofting, propane/comp spray always would dry out the O-rings in the mags, so would it be a good idea to add some kind of lubricant to ensure that the compressor runs lubricated?

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

Nothing extra, just the oil you would normally need to add for any coolant.

hat.paradox

Okay sounds good. Thanks a lot