AC replacement
 

I have a generation 2 fc1986 which has the old AC unit which is nonfunctional and has no fluid in it. I have been told by a few people that in order to repair my AC I have to get a replacement unit. I would leave the AC alone but it is unbearably hot where I live so it is a necessity. Do I need the new unit and is it a job I could do on my own or would it be better to not mess with AC chemicals.

what is "a new unit"? your ac system is composed of many parts. a discharged ac system is not necessarily indicative of any failed components, it just means the system is discharged. it needs to be troubleshot properly to determine if something isn't working, any or all o-rings need replaced, the compressor isn't working, the expansion valve is stuck, the controls themselves may or may not work.... the list is long. ac systems have a lot of parts and there can be a million things wrong or just 1 thing. you need to take the car somewhere that can diagnose it properly. NOT a chain shop. find a mom and pop shop that is competent in ac troubleshooting. age of the car doesn't matter, its the same process.

I just got AC working in both my FCs this year. Lots of opinions on the matter and a lot of historical threads. For what its worth i bought an AC service kit with gauges and hoses on Amazon. Then I got an o ring kit too. Pull all the o rings and replace em. I yanked my compressor and bought a new sanden one from rotary performance in Dallas (OEM S4). If hoses to compressor are messed up, send em in to a shop online and fix em. Hydraulic shops near me wouldn't do it. Then I bought sanden compressor oil and loaded it with freeze 12 (available online, and yes there are tons of opinions on this matter). Reference old threads and FSM for quality and weight of refrigerant. Still works a year later.

My second FC i did all this and still lost refrigerant. Bought a new evap box (forget specific name) on yahoo auctions. Good to go.

Dont forget new accumulators (drier). Make sure its the USDM one with the bracket built on it. No sight windows. Beggars cant be choosers.

You can deliberate all day about proper compressor, oil, and refrigerant. I have AC and some people dont.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...448213cadb.jpg
I use buyee for my exotic parts. Helps to know japanese. When in doubt type fc3s. Haters gonna hate on buyee, ive had great experiences and they fully insure all parts and will replace any damage no questions asked. I got a free spoiler this way (broken on delivery)