hi guys!! my air conditioning doesn't work in my 98 c5 a4, and i was just wondering how much weight would be removed if i removed all air conditioning components. now i know air conditioning is a nice creature comfort and all, but it is a t-top and i love utilizing that so ac doesnt matter to me. also since i believe id also be removing the compressor, wouldn't it also slightly under drive the motor, since i would need a new belt? your thoughts

 

You cant be serious? for a street car? thats something mustang guys do



oh, and the ac compressor has its own belt

 

 

I would never do it, not here in texas!... in my opinion that's one of the good things about these cars is that you can have as much power as you can dream of and still retain ac... it isn't like hondas where if you want to turbo it you have to remove half of the car for it to work lol... I wouldn't worry as much about weight, it is already pretty slim compared to other v8 cars out there... last time I was at the track my z weighed 3250 with me in it and a half tank of gas which isn't too shabby in my opinion

 

It is not a T-top

If your ac does not work you most likely have failing ac actuators or and low freon.

You really should not worry about the weight unless you are building a strictly strip car only and then you could consider stripping out your interior and passenger seat.

Driving around with the coupe top off would drastically increase drag and slow you down more than the weight of an ac compressor.

Since you asked if it is worth it... IMHO not at all

fix your a/c

 

Removing the compressor and associated bits and pieces won't save much weight, you'll NEVER have the option of having cool air, and BELIEVE ME....when that dash and center tunnel get heat-soaked, you WILL want some AC!

When I finally got my car (took 3 months to get here...that's a whole 'nother saga....) the AC compressor seized after 2 hours (yes...2 hours!) of operation. While I was waiting on the new compressor, drier, condenser and related bits and pieces to arrive from the US, my SO (sig. other) wouldn't even drive around in the car with me....too hot.

I think it ended up costing me $350 for all the parts, including servicing the system; of course, there's no labor charge because I did all the work, including the AC discharge / vacuum / servicing / oil / freon.

So, here's how I see it if you choose to not fix it:

Pro:
1. Save some money on parts
2. The car will always be warm inside....even when you ~really~ wish that it wasn't
3. It may give you some private time because no one else will ride with you
4. You might be able to save some money on gas because your car is 20 pounds lighter
5. If your (wife) (significant other) ever decides that you need to sell it, it may work to your advantage that no one else will want to buy a broke-***, no AC havin C5.

Cons:
1. See above.

If you're concerned with saving weight, here's some suggestions:

1. Skip the Big-Mac and Jumbo fries & drink at lunch.
2. Clean all the BS out of the cargo area

Hey, you asked for suggestions....
Jon

 

No its not worth it.

 

 

Not worth it. You'll have a hard time selling it later when you disclose to the buyer about the missing a/c.

 

never, don't remove ac on a c5. #1 every buyer wants it and #2 the whole heating and air system runs off of it. fix the problem, don't yank it all like it's a 95 civic

 

I agree with every opinion posted already. What a dumb idea, why not just fix it. What possible advantages can there be to not having it as opposed to fixing it? Performance-wise it won't make much difference, I notice no change in performance when the a/c turns on.

 

LOL!!! The only things that you can really eliminate AC wise would be the compressor, some hoses and tubing and the condenser. Total weight, would be around 35 pounds tops.

I have a heads cam car at 450 RWHP and it doesn't even know that the AC is there.

You would be seriously devaluing the car, making daily enjoyment suck and gaining little or nothing performance wise. What a poor idea!!

ABSOFRIGENLOTLY NOT

BC

 

To each his own, but Not worth the time if it were my car. if you dont use it just leave it as it is you wont notice any difference in drivability or performance on that little of a difference in weight. I like me some AC but i know plenty of people who dont use it or even remove it. You can remove the AC belt if you are worried about paracitic loss (fractional with the compressor off) Your car, your choice.

You would probably run a little cooler with the AC Condencer out of the way... but you would also probably need to clean the radiator alot more often.

 

Is it possible to devalue the c5 any more.

I don't have AC in mine. No issues. That said Now that it is going back to more street I am putting the AC back. I like to use the car in the summer.