cjahns

Hello,

I have an 88 SE in pretty good condition and would like to add A/C. The SE model didn't originally offer A/C even tho the hvac control unit has the A/C button. Curious... Whereas I thought it was simply a matter of adding the parts that make up the A/C system to the car, this doesn't seem to be the case. In any event, I would like to know if anyone has a thought regarding adding A/C to a model that didn't originally have it.

Thanks in advance,

--Corey Jahns

black_88

where did you get your info. I have an 88 se and have A/C. and it came from the factory with it.

cjahns

Thanks for the note. Sorry if my info is incorrect -- I don't recall exactly where I read that. In any event I didn't mean to insult you or your car. So... perhaps you have some info regarding my question???

black_88

by looking at any car that has A/C it looks like it whould be hard to add that. but im not saying that it is impossable.

Valkyrie

As long as you have the blower system and Logicon, you probably just need to add a compressor (and bracket if you don't have PS), condenser, evaporator, all the lines (probably the hardest part to find, without taking them from a junked car)... and then hooking them up to the blower (although I don't know if there's another component inside the blower that cools the air off with the cold gas in the non-AC cars or not...)...

You car should have the same holes in the firewall for the lines, the same mounting brackets, and probably the same power harness as A/C cars... then again, automatic cars don't have spots for clutch hydraulics (IIRC...), so I don't know.

I plan on putting AC back on my car..some day... but it'll probably cost an assload, if not for the parts, but for the labor and the recharging cost.

cjahns

Wow... great info. Thanks to all. BTW and FYI, it looks like what I should have said was that A/C was *optional* on the SE. Again, sorry for the mis-statement.

I'm all for finding the components (compressor, condenser, evaporator, etc) and hooking them up to the car... I guess I was confused because a while back I took a NOS logicon and compressor to a local dealer and asked the shop to install them for me. It was during the resulting conversation that I discovered: a) it wasn't that my A/C wasn't blowing cold... there *was* no A/C installed on the car (again, making me wonder why Mazda included the button on the logicon... cheap...) and b) the mazda mechanic's opinion that I couldn't add A/C to the car. This is what led me to ask the opinion of real experts via this forum.

I agree with Valkyrie that it probably won't be cheap, but I think -- worth it. For me, anyway. I bought my car from the original owner and it was never abused or molested... never dinged or crunched. Paint is fading somewhat but I'm not a fan of the original gold color anyway. The interior is sharp and it is a "back seat" model. Having A/C would make it more of a viable daily driver...

Again, thanks for the information. --Corey