ioTus

iTrader: (5)

I have removed the entire Air Conditioning system, and am wondering what to do to fill the hole between the blower and the center dash.

I found a great write-up here on removal of A/C:
https://www.rx7club.com/build-thread.../#post10010642

however his method was to empty out the under-dash AC box of its hard lines, plug up all the holes around it with washers, bolts and grommets, and re-install. I'd rather keep the extra real-estate and just have some sort of tube.

I'm curious what you non-AC folk have going on under there. Is there a factory tube i could hook up here?

Thanks in advance
~Geoff

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

For non-AC cars there was a replacement box that was used to route the air from the blower
upto the center vents. I don't recall the part number, maybe someone will post up with it.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

the non AC cars have a tube, although its not round. the blower motor end is squareish, and the other end is a triangle.

removing all the guts from the evaporator box accomplishes the same thing

ioTus

iTrader: (5)

Nice. I'd rather have a smaller form-factor tube than the huge oem box that I'd have to modify to seal up properly.

NCross

iTrader: (18)

Ive gutted the boxes and sealed them with foam a few times. Works just fine.

flight_of_pain

I just attached a piece of aluminum dryer vent style tubing between the blower and heater core. My AC had to go to make room for the megasquirt.

Isaac

82transam

iTrader: (18)

My 85 has the factory piece in there, I'll try to get a pic of it tonight for those who haven't seen one before.

peejay

I use the empty A/C case.

Practically speaking, SOMETHING has to be there, and it has to be of roughly the same size, so why reinvent the wheel by making something? I'm not that far ahead on my fabrication to-do list.

I have been thinking of taking it all back down and putting my Megasquirt inside it. Right now it is ziptied to the dash under the glovebox because it overheats if it is anywhere else, so I'm thinking that putting it in the evaporator case will guarantee airflow past it so maybe it will not overheat.

BUT I like having it visible so I can see the LEDs, so it will probably live forever ziptied to the dash

Glazedham42

iTrader: (4)

I found the part number for the non A/C duct in the parts fiche. It is apparently NLA? It is #8871-61-150. However, I punched it into onlinemazdaparts.com and got nothing. So it looks like you can't buy it anymore....

82transam

iTrader: (18)

Not surprised its NLA, most of the interior pieces are unfortunately.

Here's a pic of a real one if anyone cares

ioTus

iTrader: (5)

Yes this is the exact piece. Thanks for the pic!!

I'm not interested in replacing the AC box under the dash, wasting my time plugging up all the holes in it. I'm much more interested in finding a non-ac parts car and pulling this piece, then mounting the megasquirt here in the room i just gained.

There's even some bolt mounts that used to hold the box that can be used for an ECU panel!

elwood

iTrader: (1)

I made one out of fiberglass.
1. Opened the AC box
2. Coated the inside with wax as a release agent
3. Filled the inside with Great Stuff
4. Shaved it so it transitioned from the rectangle to the pie slice
5. Put a plastic bag over it so the FG resin wouldn't eat the Great Stuff
6. Laid up a few layers of glass
7. Painted black

I used the same metal clamps on each end that were used to hold the AC box in place. Works fine.

NCross

iTrader: (18)

You could just use gutter drain piping.

ioTus

iTrader: (5)

it would be equally as easy to acquire a used specimen than trial-and-error something that may nor may not work.

Props to those who've gone the whole 9 yards with it!

82transam

iTrader: (18)

What's one worth to ya?

peejay

I can't remember the last time i even saw an RX-8 let alone an RX-7 of any type, not counting mine of course. I last saw mine in November.

Not everyone lives in the land where cars live eternally. If something's not available new, you either fabricate it or do without.

ioTus

iTrader: (5)

Maybe $15 tops.

82transam

iTrader: (18)

Looks like a gutted a/c box is in your future then

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

I got one from a gracious forum member for 25 shipped. I thought it was great deal.

ioTus

iTrader: (5)

Wow lots of nay-sayers. I'll go ahead and post up when i get mine