A/C conversion??
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 842
Likes: 3
From: Woodruff SC
St. Jude Donor '10
A/C conversion??
I'm thinking about changing my original A/C compressor to a Sanden on my 77. My questions are: What's the advantage? Are they better than GM? Do they cool better? Is the change over a PIA? What other parts are needed? (Hoses, Drier, etc.)
Any & all info or help is appreciated!!!
Thanks!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,375
Likes: 788
From: Redondo Beach, California
It'd be interesting to know what happened, if anything, to the quality of AC compressors in Corvettes. The 6 cylinder wobble plate compressor of the late 1960's and early 1970's was of extremely good quality as far as I know. This had a Fridigidaire logo. I think I've read that Rolls Royce and Mercedes Benz bought these compressors for their cars. At the time, the
Fridigidaire 6 cylinder compressor was the Paragon of automobile compressors. The 6 cylinder was replaced by a later 4 cylinder. GM sold Fridigidaire and what happened after that, I've lost track of.
Fridigidaire 6 cylinder compressor was the Paragon of automobile compressors. The 6 cylinder was replaced by a later 4 cylinder. GM sold Fridigidaire and what happened after that, I've lost track of.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
The original design was a 6-piston axial compressor, aptly named the A6. In the late 70's with the gas crunch fuel mileage was important so it was replaced by a new 4-piston radial design, the R4.
It is true that the R4 did not have the durability of the A6 but at the time it was important to decrease weight (the A6 is a monstrosity) as well as friction.
The modern Sanden 508's are very nice pieces of machinery. High quality, light weight and pump almost as good as an A6. The 1" longer Sanden 510 equals the A6.
The Sanden comes as factory equipment in many new cars.
It is true that the R4 did not have the durability of the A6 but at the time it was important to decrease weight (the A6 is a monstrosity) as well as friction.
The modern Sanden 508's are very nice pieces of machinery. High quality, light weight and pump almost as good as an A6. The 1" longer Sanden 510 equals the A6.
The Sanden comes as factory equipment in many new cars.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
A/C Compressors
A6 The long A6 is considered by A/C experts to be an excellent compressor. Some complain of oil leak at front seal.
-Large & heavy- not what one wants in the design requirements for a high perf. sports car.
R4 +Light, small & out of the way.
It is possible to put in a small light compressor that uses less HP
like a ND or Sanden. At first looked into the Sanden.
Sanden like 508 +Uses less HP, light & small. Said by A/C experts to be noisy & not as high quality as the ND.
ND like 6P +Uses less HP, Light, small, quiet & excellent reliability.
This shows a ND 6P. Note how the A/C lines go off to the side & then straight forward & back.
http://ganeys.home.sprynet.com/77ACs.JPG
A6 The long A6 is considered by A/C experts to be an excellent compressor. Some complain of oil leak at front seal.
-Large & heavy- not what one wants in the design requirements for a high perf. sports car.
R4 +Light, small & out of the way.
It is possible to put in a small light compressor that uses less HP
like a ND or Sanden. At first looked into the Sanden.
Sanden like 508 +Uses less HP, light & small. Said by A/C experts to be noisy & not as high quality as the ND.
ND like 6P +Uses less HP, Light, small, quiet & excellent reliability.
This shows a ND 6P. Note how the A/C lines go off to the side & then straight forward & back.
http://ganeys.home.sprynet.com/77ACs.JPG
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 842
Likes: 3
From: Woodruff SC
St. Jude Donor '10
Thanks for all the help!!
Ganey, what's a ND?? Where do I look for one?
Ganey, what's a ND?? Where do I look for one?
Originally Posted by Ganey
A/C Compressors
A6 The long A6 is considered by A/C experts to be an excellent compressor. Some complain of oil leak at front seal.
-Large & heavy- not what one wants in the design requirements for a high perf. sports car.
R4 +Light, small & out of the way.
It is possible to put in a small light compressor that uses less HP
like a ND or Sanden. At first looked into the Sanden.
Sanden like 508 +Uses less HP, light & small. Said by A/C experts to be noisy & not as high quality as the ND.
ND like 6P +Uses less HP, Light, small, quiet & excellent reliability.
This shows a ND 6P. Note how the A/C lines go off to the side & then straight forward & back.
http://ganeys.home.sprynet.com/77ACs.JPG
A6 The long A6 is considered by A/C experts to be an excellent compressor. Some complain of oil leak at front seal.
-Large & heavy- not what one wants in the design requirements for a high perf. sports car.
R4 +Light, small & out of the way.
It is possible to put in a small light compressor that uses less HP
like a ND or Sanden. At first looked into the Sanden.
Sanden like 508 +Uses less HP, light & small. Said by A/C experts to be noisy & not as high quality as the ND.
ND like 6P +Uses less HP, Light, small, quiet & excellent reliability.
This shows a ND 6P. Note how the A/C lines go off to the side & then straight forward & back.
http://ganeys.home.sprynet.com/77ACs.JPG
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa Ok
ND = Nippondenso
Next question for Ganey if he revisits the thread: did you bypass the pressure cutoff switch and run that as a non-cycling unit? And are those hoses just cut off and spliced into the fittings at the compressor?
Next question for Ganey if he revisits the thread: did you bypass the pressure cutoff switch and run that as a non-cycling unit? And are those hoses just cut off and spliced into the fittings at the compressor?
Last edited by FeedVaal; Aug 23, 2005 at 11:55 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
DP77Vette
NIPPON DENSO (ND)
Used on Porsche, Lexus, M-B, Toyota & others. There is also a 10P model. Available at auto parts.
The ND is available w/ mounting ears like the Sanden, various replaceable connections, V belt & serp. pulleys.
FeedVaal
Basically just the ND compressor was added w/ new hoses & compressor fittings. The original hoses failed in the 70s! Since they did not hold up, had an A/C shop make up hoses.
When I put the ND on, new hoses & compressor fittings were used & the other 2 fittings from the A/C shop were reused to connect to the Corvette system.
The low pressure switch is not bypassed. If there is some reason, you could probably bypass the switch, however the purpose is to cut the system off if it gets low on freon & oil! If your hoses are old, just cutting them off & changing the compressor fittings will probably not hold up.
Also hoses for the Sanden 508 to Corvette should work w/ the ND 6P.
NIPPON DENSO (ND)
Used on Porsche, Lexus, M-B, Toyota & others. There is also a 10P model. Available at auto parts.
The ND is available w/ mounting ears like the Sanden, various replaceable connections, V belt & serp. pulleys.
FeedVaal
Basically just the ND compressor was added w/ new hoses & compressor fittings. The original hoses failed in the 70s! Since they did not hold up, had an A/C shop make up hoses.
When I put the ND on, new hoses & compressor fittings were used & the other 2 fittings from the A/C shop were reused to connect to the Corvette system.
The low pressure switch is not bypassed. If there is some reason, you could probably bypass the switch, however the purpose is to cut the system off if it gets low on freon & oil! If your hoses are old, just cutting them off & changing the compressor fittings will probably not hold up.
Also hoses for the Sanden 508 to Corvette should work w/ the ND 6P.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 842
Likes: 3
From: Woodruff SC
St. Jude Donor '10
Ganey,
What all do I need to change? And where can I find everything?
What all do I need to change? And where can I find everything?
Originally Posted by Ganey
DP77Vette
NIPPON DENSO (ND)
Used on Porsche, Lexus, M-B, Toyota & others. There is also a 10P model. Available at auto parts.
The ND is available w/ mounting ears like the Sanden, various replaceable connections, V belt & serp. pulleys.
FeedVaal
Basically just the ND compressor was added w/ new hoses & compressor fittings. The original hoses failed in the 70s! Since they did not hold up, had an A/C shop make up hoses.
When I put the ND on, new hoses & compressor fittings were used & the other 2 fittings from the A/C shop were reused to connect to the Corvette system.
The low pressure switch is not bypassed. If there is some reason, you could probably bypass the switch, however the purpose is to cut the system off if it gets low on freon & oil! If your hoses are old, just cutting them off & changing the compressor fittings will probably not hold up.
Also hoses for the Sanden 508 to Corvette should work w/ the ND 6P.
NIPPON DENSO (ND)
Used on Porsche, Lexus, M-B, Toyota & others. There is also a 10P model. Available at auto parts.
The ND is available w/ mounting ears like the Sanden, various replaceable connections, V belt & serp. pulleys.
FeedVaal
Basically just the ND compressor was added w/ new hoses & compressor fittings. The original hoses failed in the 70s! Since they did not hold up, had an A/C shop make up hoses.
When I put the ND on, new hoses & compressor fittings were used & the other 2 fittings from the A/C shop were reused to connect to the Corvette system.
The low pressure switch is not bypassed. If there is some reason, you could probably bypass the switch, however the purpose is to cut the system off if it gets low on freon & oil! If your hoses are old, just cutting them off & changing the compressor fittings will probably not hold up.
Also hoses for the Sanden 508 to Corvette should work w/ the ND 6P.
