I've decided to bite the bullet and invest in a new (reman) AC compressor for my 84SE. I do have the Nippondenso compressor. There are two on Ebay between 350.00--400.00. I noticed the Sanden compressors are a bit cheaper. My question is what is the difference, as far as mounting and hooking up the hoses, between the Denso and the Sanden? I know the Denso was installed in Japan and the Sanden was installed here in the US. But year-for-year, I would think that they should be identical? My next question is has anyone tried to install an FC compressor in the 84-85 GSL-SE? The FC compressors are still available at Rock Auto and would be worth a try if it only involved minor mods. I welcome your thoughts.
Thanks,
Mike

 

The Sanden and the Nippon Denso compressors are entirely different. One doesn't work with the other system and they are not interchangeable. The Sanden compressor has lines that bolt to the compressor as a block and the Nippon Denso compressor's lines thread onto fittings on the compressor.

The Sanden system is port installed and the Denso system is factory installed. Typically, the GSL and GSL-SE will have the Nippon Denso system and the S and GS with optional AC will have the Sanden system.

 

Thanks for the reply. So I guess that's the same reason why the 2nd gen compressor won't work. Although if someone wanted to get custom hoses made, I suppose it can be done.

 

The type of compressor on my SE is the 10P13E. The 1984-85 Honda Accord also uses the 10P13E, and it's more than half the price. I wish there was a way I could use that. I saw this on Ebay.

 

Do they look like they bolt up the same?

The main difference between the two is that one solidly mounts the compressor to the bracket and uses an idler pulley, while the other has no idler pulley and rotates the compressor.

Fuzzy memory says that for the Series 3, the bracket is different if you have power steering or not. Probably all cars with power steering had factory A/C.

 

Thanks Peejay. The compressors look totally different in how they mount. But I found a seal kit for mine that I'm going to try. I'll report back after I get it all together.

 

Keep us updated on how it works out! If your original compressor is still fully functional, an o-ring kit should do the trick if there's a refrigerant leak. The only other things to look for are leaking hard parts suck as the condenser, evaporator or the receiver/drier.

 

Here's an option for an A/C compressor.

(https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...Cquery_from%3A)

 

Will do my friend.

 

Yeah I saw a couple like that online. I just don't know anything about those brands. Plus almost 90.00 bucks to ship! I'll try the rebuild first. The kit won't be until the end of this week. So I probably won't get to it until the following week or so.

 

I bought one awhile back but it was noisier than I liked so I put my old A/C compressor back in, I also heard from someone who I referred this item too because he needed one for his GSL-SE. He ordered it, installed it and was very satisfied with it. The shipping is high however, but didn't you also get "sticker-shock" looking locally? I hope the seal kit works for you but if not, it's an option, and Japan and other parts companies have moved on from making any parts or rebuilds for forty year old RX7's. China is reviving these parts after probably making parts for Denso to begin with, and unfortunately you can't be too choosy when looking for NLA parts our sevens.

 

The sort of nice thing about the factory installed A/C unit is that it's the same as some Porsches. People tend to care about parts availability for Porsches

Personally, I see it as a good excuse to upgrade to a more modern compressor, maybe a variable one.

I'm watching with interest as a member on another forum is going to try putting a 12v electric compressor in his Ferrari 308. I don't think it will be good enough, but, again, watching with interest. It'd be neat to be able to shove the compressor somewhere out of the way instead of cutting your arms up every time you go to pull a spark plug.

 

Yeah an upgrade would be great. An electrically driven compressor would interesting. I guess like belt driven power steering pumps, belt driven AC compressors will be a thing of the past. Would love to know how that electric compressor works out for your friend.

 

Update: I wasn't able to rebuild the original compressor. Apparently, the rebuild kit that I bought is for a Sanden compressor not a Nippondenso. I didn't realize it at first and went ahead with trying to install the shaft seal and bearing in the housing. Because it wasn't the correct kit, I ended up boogering up the housing. Bummer!!!! And instead of buying the new/reman compressor that I originally mentioned above, I found a good used one on Ebay. I installed it and did a vacuum/leak down test. It held air tight, but afterwards I did notice a leak at the high pressure port. The valve core is leaking. Tightening it up didn't solve it. So I will be getting a new one of those. They're pretty cheap, thank God. On a good note, I was able to get a small can of oil recharge in the system that it kicked the compressor on. It seemed to work fine. I was happy. I did not put R134A in the system however. I went with the Envirosafe R12 replacement. Can't wait to feel the ice cold air after it's fully charged. I just filled my wife's Acura with the Envirosafe R-134 replacement and am happy with it.