AC conversation

Yellow94gt · Mar 25, 2009

So here's my story... I've been toying with the idea of ripping the AC out of my car for two reasons...

1. To save weight.
2. To clean up the engine bay.

But I never did it because the AC worked fine, no big deal, so I just put the thought out of my mind and continued to drive the car and be irritated by the AC when I worked on the car.

However, YESTERDAY... I flipped the AC on for the first time this year out of sheer curiousity, not because it was too hot or anything... and the AC is completely nonexistent... which I slightly celebrated and slightly said why the hell doesn't it work, I haven't touched a thing...

So here's my question... has anyone else on here gotten rid of their AC? I almost ordered a delete pulley yesterday, but I want some opinions on it... thanks!

blown98gt · Mar 25, 2009

it's a pita you'll need special tools and suchs some people say the weight blah blah.. i just say make more power to offset the weight lol...

i helped a friend and you have to drain it first to make sure you don't get all that nice cold gas on you

then just a matter of removing all the piping and such

Yellow94gt · Mar 25, 2009

I don't mind all the special tools and such, have friends that work at Ford, Autozone, and Advance, so I can get the tool. I'm down for making more power to offset the weight, but this is free power and weight reduction (essentially) and it also cleans up my work area for more work on the car... I HATE setting the AC off to the side to work on stuff. It sucks. Has anyone on here actually done it? Pictures?

94 DropTop · Mar 25, 2009

I just did it and made a write up. extremely easy. all you need is the fuel/ac disconect tools. pic them up at your local auto parts store for like 8 buckes. Like a said i have a full write up in the how to section. If you have any questions feel free to ask me. im happy to help

foss_94gt · Mar 25, 2009

i took mine out a few years ago, its pretty straight forward

Yellow94gt · Mar 25, 2009

94 DropTop said:
I just did it and made a write up. extremely easy. all you need is the fuel/ac disconect tools. pic them up at your local auto parts store for like 8 buckes. Like a said i have a full write up in the how to section. If you have any questions feel free to ask me. im happy to help

Awesome and that's perfect... ironically I just stripped my buddies fox down to the bare block for him and he bought that tool... I'll look for that write up.

BOS-94-003 · Mar 25, 2009

My Headers melted my A/C line so a cut off tool was all I needed for removal. You might want to look into finding someone in HVAC and see if theyll just drain the sytem for recycling purposes.

94 DropTop · Mar 25, 2009

or just accidentally loosen the valve. thats what happend with mine.

Yellow94gt · Mar 25, 2009

94 DropTop said:
or just accidentally loosen the valve. thats what happend with mine.

Was accidentally supposed to be in bold on that one? Haha...

uncltrvlnmatt · Mar 25, 2009

Screw recycling the R134, just dump it. It is easy to remove all the hoses.

Paul · Mar 26, 2009

I don't understand why people pull it. Weight isn't THAT much of a concern in a streetcar, and it will tank your resale value if you ever plan to sell it.

Paul.

Yellow94gt · Mar 26, 2009

Paul said:
I don't understand why people pull it. Weight isn't THAT much of a concern in a streetcar, and it will tank your resale value if you ever plan to sell it.

Paul.

I don't ever plan to sell it. Made that mistake with my first car, won't make it again. And it is that much of a concern if your car has a curb weight of 3600 lbs and is underpowered. For people like me... the more I can accomplish, the better. People see my mods and think that the car isn't going to be all that quick, but with a curb weight of just under 3200 lbs, it surprises people for an sn95.

94 DropTop · Mar 26, 2009

I still have all the old stuff just incase it goes back in. And i havent used it in 3 years so its reason enough for me. Plus i hardly drive it.

Yellow94gt · Mar 26, 2009

94 DropTop said:
I still have all the old stuff just incase it goes back in. And i havent used it in 3 years so its reason enough for me. Plus i hardly drive it.

That and yours is a vert. Anytime you want AC you got a LOT of airflow goin on... haha.

94 DropTop · Mar 26, 2009

yup a/c doesnt do anything with the top down

Hoseitdown · Mar 26, 2009

isnt like cuttin the copper lines on an ac like a 25,000 dollar fine???? maybe BRIAN can chime in on this one...

DSTRBD · Mar 26, 2009

Its not going to save enough weight to matter unless you are building a race car ! Keep the A/C because there are plenty of 10 second rides with it !

uncltrvlnmatt · Mar 26, 2009

Snakebit said:
isnt like cuttin the copper lines on an ac like a 25,000 dollar fine???? maybe BRIAN can chime in on this one...

Why would you cut them? The tool is like 10 bucks for the kit from advance auto.

Hoseitdown · Mar 26, 2009

well, what tool exactly is that? when you take the lines off, isnt it STILL gonna go PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS??

2slo95fiveoh · Mar 26, 2009

Snakebit said:
well, what tool exactly is that? when you take the lines off, isnt it STILL gonna go PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS??

the tool he is refering too is the a/c quick disconnect tool, to remove the lines.. You do have to discharge the system
in some way before you unhook the lines, some just let the freon out of the valve, others with a machine to recycle it.
Letting R134 into the atmosphere isn't nearly as harmful as R12.. that's one of the reasons why auto manf. made the switch,
better for the envir. just in case the vapors do get released, whether by "accident" or, not so much.