Delete AC or keep it? How much Hp does delete kit gain?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 3
From: Lowell Arkansas
Delete AC or keep it? How much Hp does delete kit gain?
My A/C compressor fried out last summer, now I hear a lot of noise from the front of the enginge. I put a stethascope to the A/C compressor, and it is making a lot of noise, and I am afraid it may lock up.
I am not in the position to pay a large sum of money to have the A/C repaired.
I was wondering if I should get a A/C delete kit.
If I do, how much hp will it gain me to delete the A/C.
I am not in the position to pay a large sum of money to have the A/C repaired.
I was wondering if I should get a A/C delete kit.
If I do, how much hp will it gain me to delete the A/C.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
Your profile says you have an 88.
IIRC that is the small Harrison compressor.
Not so much HP you will gain as much as weight you will take off the car. Not too much in the case of the 88's and earlier.
My 89 had a big ole Nippon/Denso compressor.
Sucker weighed a lot!
Took the whole system off, probably 45 or so lbs.
I did it becuase the compressor locked up, didn't have the money for a new one, the climate here is not hot, wanted more room to work in the engine bay, less clutter, lighter weight for racing.
IIRC that is the small Harrison compressor.
Not so much HP you will gain as much as weight you will take off the car. Not too much in the case of the 88's and earlier.
My 89 had a big ole Nippon/Denso compressor.
Sucker weighed a lot!
Took the whole system off, probably 45 or so lbs.
I did it becuase the compressor locked up, didn't have the money for a new one, the climate here is not hot, wanted more room to work in the engine bay, less clutter, lighter weight for racing.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
I live in the deep-south. I'll keep AC! If you don't have big bucks, get a compressor from a junk-yard (used good factory is better than the asian reman units). Go to the parts store and get a new filter-dryer and orifice tube. You will need to buy some cans of system flush and flush all the lines and poor into the evaporator and condensor. Use an air-hose to blow all of that out. When you reassemble the system add about 2-3 ounces of PAG oil to the compressor line. If you don't have any AC specific tools take the car to a shop to have a vacume pulled on the system (that will boil-out any moisture) and have them recharge the system. Don't worry about R-12, they can refill with R-134a or Durcool, it will work fine. This will get you some pretty cheap A-C, if you want it.
Take Care and Be Safe, -John
Take Care and Be Safe, -John
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 18
From: Los Angeles California
At least in the '96, the AC clutch disengages at WOT, so whenever you request a bunch of horsepower or full power you get it. I can't imagine why they would have done it differently with the other model years. The way I've always seen it, the only reason to eliminate AC on these cars is not for power, but for weight and engine bay cleanliness.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,763
Likes: 1
From: Connectivette
I took mine of my '88 to make it easier to work on. If you blow head gaskets like I do it makes life easier.
"matt 383" ....I think is his screen name....told me about buying an '88 Baretta tensioner pulley (ribbed) and running the belt around the inside of it.
"matt 383" ....I think is his screen name....told me about buying an '88 Baretta tensioner pulley (ribbed) and running the belt around the inside of it.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 3
From: Lowell Arkansas
Please tell me more.
As for resolving the A/C issue, I do plan on keeping the A/C.......but I got to be able to drive my corvette now.
I can resolve the A/C issue latter.
But it sounds like the advise on fixing it on the "cheap" is not going to cost very much.
I will look into that as well.
Junk yard parts around here are normall 50% of new cost.
That may still put a new compressor in the high cost range.
I will check all these things out.
Thank you very much guys, I really appreciate the input...all of you.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
My AC quit working, but i'm not sure if thats due to my heater core failing or not. I hardly ever use the AC anyway. The compressor doesnt make any noise but does put a load on the engine when I turn it on (drops from 700 rpms to 500 at idle).
I would think there would be some way of releasing the clutch to make it free spin but idk.
I would think there would be some way of releasing the clutch to make it free spin but idk.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 797
Likes: 0
From: Bedford Ma.
I live in the deep-south. I'll keep AC! If you don't have big bucks, get a compressor from a junk-yard (used good factory is better than the asian reman units). Go to the parts store and get a new filter-dryer and orifice tube. You will need to buy some cans of system flush and flush all the lines and poor into the evaporator and condensor. Use an air-hose to blow all of that out. When you reassemble the system add about 2-3 ounces of PAG oil to the compressor line. If you don't have any AC specific tools take the car to a shop to have a vacume pulled on the system (that will boil-out any moisture) and have them recharge the system. Don't worry about R-12, they can refill with R-134a or Durcool, it will work fine. This will get you some pretty cheap A-C, if you want it.
Take Care and Be Safe, -John
Take Care and Be Safe, -John
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,763
Likes: 1
From: Connectivette
I will define A/C delete as just that.....ripping everything out. You will not need another pulley to take the place of the A/C pulley. In fact you don't even have to purchase the Berretta Tensioner Pulley. Your belt will now run through/over your existing tensioner with the ribs down. Which I understand works just fine. I however opted to get the Bereatta pulley since it is ribbed and will help guide the belt a little better.
You also have to cut your existing oelt to figure out how long of a belt you now need now that you do not have the A/C pulley.
You also have to cut your existing oelt to figure out how long of a belt you now need now that you do not have the A/C pulley.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
to get a bargain on an AC Compressor, chec-out Ebay. Also, You can usually get a comp a little cheaper if you check a Hollander book and find other cars that use the same comp. When you go to the yard, if they come up with some high price, explain that you can get one from 'Auto-wearever' for $150.00. A lotof timesthe lot will come-offthe price a little.
I hope this helps, -John
I hope this helps, -John
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
As long as the compressor is unplugged, you basically have just an idler pulley. It sounds as if the front bearing on the clutch is going bad, unplug the compressor and see if the noise goes away. They are fairly cheap and easy to replace. Most parts stores have the special tools you need, and will rent them for free. As far as hp useage with the ac/compressor off, you are probably losing about 1 hp if the bearing is good. You might check aroud, there are shops that will rebuild your compressor for about half the price of a parts store.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 125
From: Birmingham AL
The '88 was the first year with the $1200 Nippendenso (sp?) compressor. Don't expect to find one on another vehicle or in a yard. They are just expensive unless you get really lucky. Mine is out on my '89 and I've been looking. GM sells the compressor for 500-800 dollars and the clutch for another 400 or so if I remember correctly. I've never had any luck with remans either. I recently found that ZIP is selling the compressor and clutch for $550. I don't know if it is a reman though.
I bought this car over a year ago and the air din't work then. I usually do my own work, but I took it to a shop that wanted to fix it for $2700. I decided to collect the parts as I find deals. Apparenty a rock made a hole in the condensor which let the R12 out. The pressure switch failed and the compressor ran until it locked up. Now I need the compressor, clutch, switch, condensor, accumualtor, orfice tube, and R12. It's not cheap but will be worth repairing as it is typically 90 degrees at night during the summer. I need a hardtop and ac for the summer. The convertible top is good for the winter.
I bought this car over a year ago and the air din't work then. I usually do my own work, but I took it to a shop that wanted to fix it for $2700. I decided to collect the parts as I find deals. Apparenty a rock made a hole in the condensor which let the R12 out. The pressure switch failed and the compressor ran until it locked up. Now I need the compressor, clutch, switch, condensor, accumualtor, orfice tube, and R12. It's not cheap but will be worth repairing as it is typically 90 degrees at night during the summer. I need a hardtop and ac for the summer. The convertible top is good for the winter.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 3
From: Lowell Arkansas
I unhooked the compressor today because I am in the middle of installing a miniram in place of the TPI.
With the compressor unhooked from the "plug in" and no serpintine belt......I can not hardley spin it with my hand.
It takes all my strength to spin the compressor.
What do you think......?
With the compressor unhooked from the "plug in" and no serpintine belt......I can not hardley spin it with my hand.
It takes all my strength to spin the compressor.
What do you think......?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton New Jersey
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 3
From: Lowell Arkansas
I am in the middle of installing a miniram, with the ac problems on top of the miniram, I will have to go the cheapest route.
I have been unable to find a ac delete pully.
Does anyone know where I can find one?
If not, then I guess I will have to figure out which belt to use that is short enough with the ac compressor removed.
I have been unable to find a ac delete pully.
Does anyone know where I can find one?
If not, then I guess I will have to figure out which belt to use that is short enough with the ac compressor removed.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 3
From: Lowell Arkansas
I ended up getting a new AC clutch kit.
NOTICE:
I talked to a mechanic who told me to take the compressor off and bring it to him, he would change the AC compressor clutch for me.
I lost my freon..........I had no idea that I did not have to take the compressor out of the system to change the clutch.
I lost all my freon for no reason.
At close to $70 a pound, needing 3 pounds of freon....this was a very expernsive lesson.
I saved a few bucks taking the compressor off and running it to the mechanic so he could remove and replace the compressors clutch.
To add insult to injury.......it was really easy to replace the clutch.
Anyone could do it.
It is now going to cost me needlessly several hundred dollars to have the system recharged, because I lost all my freon when I took the compressor loose from the freon system.
The compressor does not have to be taken out of the system to replace the AC compressors clutch.
I ended up loosing my freon for no good reason.
I just wanted to let others know how the system works, incase they research this thread.
NOTICE:
I talked to a mechanic who told me to take the compressor off and bring it to him, he would change the AC compressor clutch for me.
I lost my freon..........I had no idea that I did not have to take the compressor out of the system to change the clutch.
I lost all my freon for no reason.
At close to $70 a pound, needing 3 pounds of freon....this was a very expernsive lesson.
I saved a few bucks taking the compressor off and running it to the mechanic so he could remove and replace the compressors clutch.
To add insult to injury.......it was really easy to replace the clutch.
Anyone could do it.
It is now going to cost me needlessly several hundred dollars to have the system recharged, because I lost all my freon when I took the compressor loose from the freon system.
The compressor does not have to be taken out of the system to replace the AC compressors clutch.
I ended up loosing my freon for no good reason.
I just wanted to let others know how the system works, incase they research this thread.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Buy the recharge kit from the auto parts store (about $40 to convert from R12) Check and see what a vacuum pump rents for and you're done. Although you said your AC went out last summer, so you may have another problem.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
I can't tell in the picture but. How did you route your belts???
-- Joe