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What upgrade/replacement path do 2nd gen owners have going forward with dwindling used and near non-existant aftermarket support remaining for the a/c systems on our cars?
FD owners have figured out a way to make the more readily availiable and cheaper costing RX-8 parts work. Any reason FC owners cannot? It getting past the v-belt to ribbed pulleys on the compressors such a hurdle?
JP3 motorsports teased an FC kit recently. It's certainly doable. Lots of OE or universal aftermarket parallel flow condensers will fit in the space. The JP3 kit is going to use an RX-8 compressor with a V belt pulley. The biggest issue I see is if you don't have an evaporator. Aftermarket ones for FCs simply don't exist, so it would be a search for some other model that fits.
I'm running a stock system, but ditched the FC condenser for a universal parallel flow condenser. I then had two custom lines made to connect those to the stock system. I use R-152A and the performance is pretty good. I'm still chasing down the slightest of leaks though. The A/C recently stopped working six months after my last charge.
We're halfway through R&D on an FC kit. Like with our FD kits, it will use an RX8 style r134a compressor with a V Belt pulley. Will post an update soon.
I'm excited to see what all their solution includes too. I have something that works currently, but there are compromises. An upgrade may be very worth it.
Last edited by JerryLH3; Sep 23, 2024 at 02:14 PM.
I'm definitely interested in this. This solution will have application beyond just 2nd gen cars - it will provide a way of fitting an RX8 compressor for anyone running an pre-FD engine because the FC A/C P/S brackets fit onto the early front-mount timing covers as well (a setup I used in the past on my 1st gen RX7 with FC 13B retrofit).
More progress - we have the first prototype installed on our shop FC. Charged the system yesterday and for the most part we are good to go. Ambient temps were at 50-55degF, so not the most ideal. We are working with a Cali-based shop to install a kit on their FC and test in 75-80degF ambient temps. In any case, the system is operational!
We are sending a kit over to Lucky 7 Racing in Cali for install in their shop FC so we can do some testing in warming weather as its full on winter in NJ.
Would a local hydraulic line shop be able to lengthen the lines? In my case, I have an extremely empty engine bay and would like to run the lines in a slightly more hidden layout.
Also, is the tensioner pulley required? I have no AC, PS, or air pump on a peripheral port with ITBs. So, far from a stock layout. I know it's a petty thing to be worried about, but the stock AC brackets are huge and clunky so I'm wondering if I could cut down the stock bracket or modify it.
This kit looks really good. I've been slacking on restoring my AC for years now, primarily because I'd need a condenser, new lines, probably a compressor, etc. This takes all of that part-hunting out of the equation entirely.
Originally Posted by djSL
Also, is the tensioner pulley required? I have no AC, PS, or air pump on a peripheral port with ITBs. So, far from a stock layout. I know it's a petty thing to be worried about, but the stock AC brackets are huge and clunky so I'm wondering if I could cut down the stock bracket or modify it.
For djSL or anyone else interested, there was a stock AC only bracket:
The part is discontinued, and I have never personally seen one. But they are out there somewhere.
Also, is the tensioner pulley required? I have no AC, PS, or air pump on a peripheral port with ITBs. So, far from a stock layout. I know it's a petty thing to be worried about, but the stock AC brackets are huge and clunky so I'm wondering if I could cut down the stock bracket or modify it.
You need an idler pulley to tension the belt. The cheap and nasty version I have made work is to cut off the power steering section of the bracket, keep the factory idler pulley and then use a pry bar to lift up the pulley into position to tension it. You won't get as precise belt tension as with the adjustment screw.
However, the non-power steer aircon bracket is going to be very hard to find....or you need to get a bracket custom machined at significant cost.
With some thought you could also just cut off the power steering mount section and retain the boss for the long aircon idler pulley adjustment screw.
I'm keen to use this on a 1st gen with full FC front conversion (FC 13BT, subframe, etc) but the front radiator size and associated brackets are obviously different, plus it's also RHD. But I will customising it all anyway so this could be a good way to get a kit ready to go and I can design my brackets around the condenser. What are the overall dimensions of the condenser and drier with/without the associated brackets?
This kit looks really good. I've been slacking on restoring my AC for years now, primarily because I'd need a condenser, new lines, probably a compressor, etc. This takes all of that part-hunting out of the equation entirely.
For djSL or anyone else interested, there was a stock AC only bracket:
The part is discontinued, and I have never personally seen one. But they are out there somewhere.
I have one, been on my to-do list to finish converting this scan into a usable 3D model...
Cool! Are you guys gonna test it with computer duster?
im not sure if the computer duster is cooler or r134 should be as good. Definately interested in this.
@pzr2 that's awesome! Mind if I ask what scanner you used?
I do 3D scanning and modeling at work and I've been wanting to do small CAD projects for my FC at home, but I know price and quality with scanners is vast lol. I usually take hard measurements of machined/mounting dimensions with physical tools and use the scan data more for reference.
This kit looks really good. I've been slacking on restoring my AC for years now, primarily because I'd need a condenser, new lines, probably a compressor, etc. This takes all of that part-hunting out of the equation entirely.
For djSL or anyone else interested, there was a stock AC only bracket:
The part is discontinued, and I have never personally seen one. But they are out there somewhere.
i have one on my vert thats been put away for about 3 years, no not selling it, but also u can make them easy on a 3d printer then send the file to be made in aluminum.
