Has anyone ever changed their A/C compressor for something newer and more efficient?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 406
Likes: 1
From: Maroochydore QLD
Has anyone ever changed their A/C compressor for something newer and more efficient?
My poor old factory compressor has finally met it's maker, I need to change it out, however, if I am going to the expense of a new compressor would'nt it make sense to put in a lighter, smaller more efficient modern compressor? Of course it would, my system has already been upgraded to 134a gas so any medium to large modern compressor should work given some new brackets (probably custom made).
Has anyone already done this and if so, what compressor did you use and how well does it work?
Thanks, Dennis.
Has anyone already done this and if so, what compressor did you use and how well does it work?
Thanks, Dennis.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
I finally put the bulky condenser and heavy A6 compressor right where they belong (trash can) and got a small Sanden 508 compressor with its bracketry and a small parallel flow condenser kit (all from vintage air), now both the engine and the cabin are much cooler.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
The Sanden 508 seems to be the standard choice. Look at Alan Grove, Street & Performance, Vintage Air and others for brackets to mount it to your current drive system.
As mentioned above, "while you are in there" , replacing the condenser with a parallel flow will pay dividends, see www.nostalgicairparts.com
You will also need to replace some hoses and the dryer medium.
As mentioned above, "while you are in there" , replacing the condenser with a parallel flow will pay dividends, see www.nostalgicairparts.com
You will also need to replace some hoses and the dryer medium.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
been down this road.... the guys that are talking about the sanden have the older style A-6 long heavy pump, the 79 you have (me to) has the newer A-4 rotary "pancake" style pump. It is already as light as the sanden, and as effecent. if you go the sanden all you will accomplesh is spending a lot more money.... hey, but its your money
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
My poor old factory compressor has finally met it's maker, I need to change it out, however, if I am going to the expense of a new compressor would'nt it make sense to put in a lighter, smaller more efficient modern compressor? Of course it would, my system has already been upgraded to 134a gas so any medium to large modern compressor should work given some new brackets (probably custom made).
Has anyone already done this and if so, what compressor did you use and how well does it work?
Thanks, Dennis.
Has anyone already done this and if so, what compressor did you use and how well does it work?
Thanks, Dennis.
your pump should look like this:
Last edited by pauldana; Aug 6, 2010 at 10:03 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
been down this road.... the guys that are talking about the sanden have the older style A-6 long heavy pump, the 79 you have (me to) has the newer A-4 rotary "pancake" style pump. It is already as light as the sanden, and as effecent. if you go the sanden all you will accomplesh is spending a lot more money.... hey, but its your money
, but if he wants to convert the refrigerant to R134a, then I strongly recommend replacing the stock condenser with a parallel flow one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
The GM R-4 compresser has (at best) a mixed reputation. There are many posts that discuss this. The R-4 seems to fail especially rapidly when converted to 134a, and especially when using a rebuilt unit.
I have been down this road with my converted 85 Jaguar XJ6 and the 77 C3. I have experienced repeated failures, as described by many others in their posts. I've stopped throwing good money after bad and given up on the R-4.
The C3 now has a Sanden 508 with a Vintage Air evaporator unit (with electronic rotary controls). When done with the 77, I will return to the XJ6 and replace the entire AC system with an aftermarket unit built around a Sanden compresser.
I have been down this road with my converted 85 Jaguar XJ6 and the 77 C3. I have experienced repeated failures, as described by many others in their posts. I've stopped throwing good money after bad and given up on the R-4.
The C3 now has a Sanden 508 with a Vintage Air evaporator unit (with electronic rotary controls). When done with the 77, I will return to the XJ6 and replace the entire AC system with an aftermarket unit built around a Sanden compresser.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
I have Hooker headers on my engine, the good thing about the Sanden compressors bracket is that it doesn't connect to any of the exhaust manifold bolts (check the picture I posted earlier in this post).
Limping across the line
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,297
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From: Peoria Az
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
I have an R4 sepentine conversion with R134a and I have a problem when idling. There does not seem to be enough airflow through the stock condensor for cooling and the compressor starts to lock up and I have to turn the a/c off. If I'm moving it's fine. I have an aluminum radiator with dual electric fans, so I'm planning on sealing around the radiator better and adding a manual switch for the fans. Would that condensor help me out? Do you have a part number for it?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
I have an R4 sepentine conversion with R134a and I have a problem when idling. There does not seem to be enough airflow through the stock condensor for cooling and the compressor starts to lock up and I have to turn the a/c off. If I'm moving it's fine. I have an aluminum radiator with dual electric fans, so I'm planning on sealing around the radiator better and adding a manual switch for the fans. Would that condensor help me out? Do you have a part number for it?
The more airflow the better, so the fans should be on any time the a/c is on.
The newer style parallel flow condensers, of which there are also several different tube designs, are at a minimum 30% more efficient than the oem tube and fin design.
It's rellly just that simple
