A/C Removal
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota City MN
A/C Removal
I have been thinking about removing the a/c from under the hood of my '97. My thought is less weight and less drag on the motor. Has anybody done this? What all should be pulled? Would there be any effect on the heater/defrost? Any pro's or con's would be very helpfull.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Holy crap! The AC system stuff that you can remove really doesn't weigh all that much. 
What drag on the engine????
When the AC compressor is OFF, the CLUTCH on the front of the compressor is disengaged and all the engine is turning is a BELT over a pulley. The pulley has bearings and is very easy to rotate. Theres little or NO drag on the engine.
Without the AC compressor the Defroster will just be unconditioned air blowing on the windshield. The defroster works because the AC cools the warm humid air and extracts the moisture out of it. The drier air keeps the windshield and cabin dry when its damp out.
I wouldn't degrade the car by removing the AC System. I could see you doing that if it was strictly a track only or road course only car. If you drive it on the street, I recommend that you leave it in.
What drag on the engine????When the AC compressor is OFF, the CLUTCH on the front of the compressor is disengaged and all the engine is turning is a BELT over a pulley. The pulley has bearings and is very easy to rotate. Theres little or NO drag on the engine.
Without the AC compressor the Defroster will just be unconditioned air blowing on the windshield. The defroster works because the AC cools the warm humid air and extracts the moisture out of it. The drier air keeps the windshield and cabin dry when its damp out.
I wouldn't degrade the car by removing the AC System. I could see you doing that if it was strictly a track only or road course only car. If you drive it on the street, I recommend that you leave it in.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: Port Richey FL
Holy crap! The AC system stuff that you can remove really doesn't weigh all that much. What drag on the engine????
When the AC compressor is OFF, the CLUTCH on the front of the compressor is disengaged and all the engine is turning is a BELT over a pulley. The pulley has bearings and is very easy to rotate. Theres little or NO drag on the engine.
Without the AC compressor the Defroster will just be unconditioned air blowing on the windshield. The defroster works because the AC cools the warm humid air and extracts the moisture out of it. The drier air keeps the windshield and cabin dry when its damp out.
I wouldn't degrade the car by removing the AC System. I could see you doing that if it was strictly a track only or road course only car. If you drive it on the street, I recommend that you leave it in.
What drag on the engine????When the AC compressor is OFF, the CLUTCH on the front of the compressor is disengaged and all the engine is turning is a BELT over a pulley. The pulley has bearings and is very easy to rotate. Theres little or NO drag on the engine.
Without the AC compressor the Defroster will just be unconditioned air blowing on the windshield. The defroster works because the AC cools the warm humid air and extracts the moisture out of it. The drier air keeps the windshield and cabin dry when its damp out.
I wouldn't degrade the car by removing the AC System. I could see you doing that if it was strictly a track only or road course only car. If you drive it on the street, I recommend that you leave it in.
However take it off and if you dont like it put it back on. Have fun taking out the compressor, they are fun.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
I have been thinking about removing the a/c from under the hood of my '97. My thought is less weight and less drag on the motor. Has anybody done this? What all should be pulled? Would there be any effect on the heater/defrost? Any pro's or con's would be very helpfull.
