Hi,

I would like to convert my 1983 12A to eliminate the distributor.
The reason I would like to do so is not for performance, but for space reasons.

My car has 1983 12A/automatic tranny transplanted into it. I am looking to add AC, but the 12A is shoehorned in pretty good. If I can eliminate the distributor I have no problem fitting a compressor with a custom bracket.

If I can eliminate the distributor and use possibly a 2nd Gen crank sensor then my problem would be solved. Of course this adds other problems, primarily getting an ECU/ECM wired up. I have searched the forum, but everything I have found is for DLIDFIS which I am not interested in because I want to eliminate the distributor.

Has anyone converted a first gen to distributorless? Hopefully I can get a pointer to an archived thread I might have overlooked?

Thank you,
Les.

 

You need an ignition controller to use the 2nd gen CAS. The easiest way would be to use a Megasquirt. At the very least you'd need to add a coolant temp and air intake temp sensor, as well as run a MAP sensor line to the Megasquirt.

Or, just use the 12A dizzy because it fits with the A/C, though a little cramped. Use the factory A/C bracket and compressor.

 

Thanks Aaron,

Could you post some measurements for a compressor sitting in the stock AC bracket? I would prefer that if it will work but from the photos on the site here I really don't think it will work. Not sure even a custom bracket will if I keep the distributor.

Not a lot of room on the driver side of the motor. I posted 2 pics. The clearance between the red arrows is about 3 inches so it depends on how far back the compressor sits. If the rear of the compressor would sit even with the back of the distributor it might fit. There is even less room farther down near where the orange arrow is. I have plenty of clearance from the hood to go higher, but the thing on the side of the distributor where the blue arrow is seems like it would be in the way of the belt.

There is a little more room on the passenger side, but not as good a place to mount the compressor, but I may be forced to reconsider; at least in the short term. In the back of my mind (very long term) I was dreaming of adding a turbo and I did not want to place anything where I would have to do a lot of rework.

Your answer definitely points me in the right direction as far as my original question. If that is the way I end up going it would be a lot more work than I wanted just to fit AC in my car.


Thank you,
Les.

 

Oh, I thought it was in an RX-7! Yeah, I can tell you right now that it ain't gonna' fit.

Honestly I have no idea how you will be able to shoe-horn a compressor into there.

You'll definitely gain some room by eliminating the huge dizzy, and then maybe mount the compressor above it. And the benefit is that you will have a Megasquirt anyway, so with the addition of a TPS, a set of coils, some injector bungs on your manifold, a throttle body and an EFI pump, you now have fuel injection.