When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I did a thing a few years ago but wasn't smart enough to document the process. I adapted my MANA Drier fittings to accept a readily available cheapo unit.
The Drier I used.
Since I didn't document the actual parts I created/used, here's an incomplete test piece.
The actual part would have the appropriate external O-ring groove. I bonded these to the connection fittings with epoxy and created a couple bolt-standoffs. The last thing was to drill and tap a hole for the connection that didn't line up.
Seemed like the easy way to solve one of my many problems.
And here I thought some industrious, hard working, good smelling, RX-7 owning entremanure would jump in and commit to making these for the millions of A/C starved RX-7 owners.
The JP3 kit changed the game. Fully bolt on, LHD or RHD, MANA or Denso, GReddy, OEM, HKS, you name it; there is most likely a kit for it and most importantly, you can use r134 since most FD's are on r12. I've noticed a decline in demand for AC parts now, it took me forever to sell my setup. 5 years ago, it would sell within a week.
IMO there is still a place for keeping the OEM MANA system if the receiver dryer issue could be resolved and repairs could be performed when needed such as when a compressor seal goes bad.
The JP3 kit is great for sure, but there’s nothing wrong with the OEM setup, particularly for the 1995’s that are R133 already. But this fix is out of reach for most unless this fitting is actually available to purchase and clear information exists about which dryer can be used, etc.
A few years ago I dropped my FD off at a "vintage AC" shop here in town and asked them to make something work. I picked it up a few days later with a Subaru forester drier installed. They did cut and modify my existing lines to make it work, but it does work and a new drier is readily available now. If anyone is interested I can dig up the part number they gave me.
Having installed a JP3 kit in a friends car though, that is 100% the way to go nowadays! It was so nicely made and everything just worked as it should.
