Want to install air conditioner for 1st gen (1979)
 

Anyone have a 1979 RX-7 with A/C?
I have a 1979 RX-7.
I want to install an air conditioner in the car (condenser, compressor, wiring, hoses, everything). My car appears to be A/C-ready, but I need to know what the complete stock parts list would be.
Any advice on where to buy and a how-to?
Any ideas on cost of parts?
Thanks!

Big job. Probably would cost more than your car--if a shop does it.

Junkyard would be a great place to start. Maybe you can find a forum member selling off their AC. Post a WTB in the parts for sale section and see what you get.

May be easier to find a car that already has it.

What exactly do you mean by AC ready?

Through 85, those models that had A/C as an option had the A/C installed at the dealer. I think the cost was approx. $1,000 then. If you know exactly what to remove and how, its probably not a major piece of work, (e.g. $1,000 dealer cost incl. labor + new A/C parts). But otherwise I would think it would be a big job!!! Your duct work for blowing air and the controls are there, but most other items would have to be installed. Guess biggest task would be removing that part of dash required to installed all the "stuff" that fits under the dash. With the low humidity in CA, I would not think it would be worth the time unless you are looking for something mechanical to do!!!

the best advice would be to find a newer car that has R-134a AC and graph the system to fit. 1st gens came with R-12 AC which is a pain in the you know to get recharged not to mention expensive, but if you modify a system from a newer car from a junk yard or new parts, you can buy the recharge kits for R-134a refrigerant at walmart for like $20! Ac systems are pretty universal, and when you are talking about putting AC in a car that didnt have it, the job is gonna be custom all the way. Its only a matter of rounding up all the parts, and making a bracket to mount the compressor so the pulley will pull it. I am currently trying to figure out which R-134a system would be easiest for my 1983 GSL. It had AC but it leaked and never worked. DOnt let anyone scare you its actually pretty simple once you get the basics down......

I am starting this project now on an '84 that has the old evaporator still in it and the proper controls in the dash. The compresser bracket was still there and a crappy condensor. So far, I have bought a new Sanden compresser (fits the bracket), a new old stock evaporator (I am going with ALL new parts, no junkyard crap-out comes the original evaporator whether good or not-yes I am replacing the heater core and heater valve while dash is apart), a new universal dryer, and a new parallel flow universal condenser. All new hoses that I will make up myself.

That said, I have 30 lbs of R12 I have had for years so will use that since it is more efficient (sorry can't help with R134a questions).

So far a new old stock evaporator off ebay was $60, a new (not rebuilt) Sanden compresser off ebay, about $50, a universal dryer is about $50, hoses and fittings off ebay for maybe $100, a universal parallel flow (more efficient than original serpentine type, when used with R12 the system will definately kick ass and work better than new), about $75 off ebay.

I have some experience in this (not professionally), all gauges, vacuum pump, leak check meter, etc. I expect the whole install to be low $100's of dollars, well worth it for me.

The only "mazda specific" part is the evaporator since it must fit in the confines of the dash. The rest of the components are universal--the car came originally with a Sanden compresser and these are available new or reman all day long on ebay.

I will take pics and do a writeup when done but do not expect this soon since this is not a daily driver and hence not top priority

RX-7s often had the AC installed after they were shipped to North America. I installed air conditioning in a S2 (1981) model. All the parts were available as a kit from the dealer, which cost approx $500 at the time, around 1986. It was not necessary to remove the dash. R12 is still available and is more efficient than R134a. R134a is also being phased out.

Their is an AC knob on the dashboard climate controls.

Yeah I tried to fix my AC also but i gave up :confused: But heres an idea when i got to the ducts that went into the car i made one of them shoot back into the engine... i tought it would help my car get cool but then i couldnt get it to work properly. I would definetly go to a junkyard some cars have really new stuff :)

Pulled the AC out of my 79 Limited with 54K miles, with install pics, and I think I even have the OEM service manual for it that I would copy for you. Drop me a note at aull@alaska.net if your interested...
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska