A/C condenser question/idea......
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 936
Likes: 2
From: Tyrone PA
A/C condenser question/idea......
My car runs good and cool (180 to 185) in 80 degree weather, maybe up to 192 in town. Everything is cleaned out and all fins are straight. On 95 degree days in town it creeps up to about 200, then when running the A/C it gets up to 215. My A/C blows plenty cold, almost too cold! My motor gets ALOT of heat soak, I really don't think enough air is making it through the tranny cooler, A/C condenser and radiator. I eventually want to add a supercharger and intercooler, which will make it worse for air moving through......
My idea is, what would happen if I removed like every other row of fins from the A/C condenser. I'm thinking that it would let alot more air come through, and the only downside would be my A/C might not be quite as cold, but it is so cold now I rarely run it on high. Having every other row should still cool the A/C down plenty. After all, these cars ('89) have huge A/C condensers. Plus I'm a convertible so I don't use the A/C all that much anyway. Has anyone ever tried this? If so, what was the result?
My idea is, what would happen if I removed like every other row of fins from the A/C condenser. I'm thinking that it would let alot more air come through, and the only downside would be my A/C might not be quite as cold, but it is so cold now I rarely run it on high. Having every other row should still cool the A/C down plenty. After all, these cars ('89) have huge A/C condensers. Plus I'm a convertible so I don't use the A/C all that much anyway. Has anyone ever tried this? If so, what was the result?
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Ellisvile Missouri
I dont think you should try it. I'm not an auto mechanic but I am an hvac tech. The fins on the coils help remove heat and condense the freon. I'm not 100% sure but i think that would cause the system to run at higher pressures, which would make the compressor work harder. It may effect mpg.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
I dont think you should try it. I'm not an auto mechanic but I am an hvac tech. The fins on the coils help remove heat and condense the freon. I'm not 100% sure but i think that would cause the system to run at higher pressures, which would make the compressor work harder. It may effect mpg.
Sounds like and interesting project. I got one of those unversal AC cards when I did that type of work part-time back in the 'ol college days. The mod will no doubt reduce the effeciency of the AC...but I don't think it will cause any significant high pressure issues over all. Sounds like your car is running way cooler than most any way ...I wouldn't worry too much about the trans cooler unless your towing a boat or something....you should be OK. You could always go with an additive like "Water Wetter" or "40 below" or something like that to improve heat exchange.
Good Luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 50
From: Palmdale CA
My 95 was running hot, while idling in the driveway with both fans running. I inspected the front of the A/C coil, and it looked OK. I discoverd an opening that allowed me, a good look at the front of the radiator, and O BOY was I surprised, it looked like a CHIA pet, completely blocked W/grass, feathers, leaves, and broken plastic pieces, from old car accidents.
After completely removing both coil assemblies, I held the A/C coil up against the "SUN" and it too was badly obstructed, W/small pieces of sand, and bugs.
I dubbed the Vette, as the 300HP shop Vac.
I would inspect the radiators, before doing anything...
mike
After completely removing both coil assemblies, I held the A/C coil up against the "SUN" and it too was badly obstructed, W/small pieces of sand, and bugs.
I dubbed the Vette, as the 300HP shop Vac.
I would inspect the radiators, before doing anything...
mike
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 936
Likes: 2
From: Tyrone PA
I was figuring on taking the condenser out, then using tin scissors or a dremel with a big wheel if necessary. Just can't cut into the coils, only the fins between the coils.
My radiator and AC condenser were both cleaned out completely and I straightened as many of the fins as I could this past winter when I did the heads/cam swap. Don't get me wrong, I don't have any major problems, just think that I need to get some more air moving through to help eliminate some of the heat in the engine compartment so the engine doesnt get heat soaked as bad. Plus I want to run a P600B with intercooler and that will make it worse. I don't want to go the route of water meth injection because in the future I also hope to run a 40 to 75 shot of nitrous with the supercharger. Just all future plans at this point but the condenser mod is something I might try now.
My radiator and AC condenser were both cleaned out completely and I straightened as many of the fins as I could this past winter when I did the heads/cam swap. Don't get me wrong, I don't have any major problems, just think that I need to get some more air moving through to help eliminate some of the heat in the engine compartment so the engine doesnt get heat soaked as bad. Plus I want to run a P600B with intercooler and that will make it worse. I don't want to go the route of water meth injection because in the future I also hope to run a 40 to 75 shot of nitrous with the supercharger. Just all future plans at this point but the condenser mod is something I might try now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Sounds like you are planning to build a track car and not a DD ? Do you even need AC in PA ?? Maybe just take it all off..... Sounds like a lot of work to increase airflow through your radiator.
Or maybe one of those "big gulp" things would help improve front air ingestion. I've just saw a post advertising a special forum discount for this gizmo??
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2118212
You may end up getting more than you bargained for by reducing the rate of heat transfer from your condensor. It may throw off your cooling sensors to where your AC barely works, or your compressor cycles on/off way to much, reducing its efficiency and life span
Or maybe one of those "big gulp" things would help improve front air ingestion. I've just saw a post advertising a special forum discount for this gizmo??
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2118212
You may end up getting more than you bargained for by reducing the rate of heat transfer from your condensor. It may throw off your cooling sensors to where your AC barely works, or your compressor cycles on/off way to much, reducing its efficiency and life span
Last edited by MikeC4; Aug 31, 2008 at 12:02 PM.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 936
Likes: 2
From: Tyrone PA
I'm not building a track car, but not a DD either. A weekend use car. Mostly already built. I run a 175 shot on it now. We do get 95 degree days in PA in mid summer. My wife and I sometimes roll in town with the top down and the AC on because it gets hot in town even with the top down. Can't stand to put the top and windows up and roll around that way in a vert. The car still doesn't overheat but it does get alot hotter with the AC running. Not a big deal, might not do anything, but I do get concerned with heat soak. I re-routed all my fuel lines as they came up past the header and then back across the top of the HSR intake. The fuel actually boiled on extremely hot days and sort of vaperlocked causing loss of fuel pressure. The fuel lines now come right up the back of the motor and into and out of the back of the fuel rails and the problem is solved. But you can see from the problem I had that the heat soak is pretty bad. This whole thing of removing every other row of fins is just an idea I was thinking of and wondering if anyone else had tried. If I do try it I'll let you all know how well it worked out.