DIY Air Con? (automotive)

[AMCDan]

That's right, a car question! Can someone school me on air con?

I can't think the best place to post this, so maybe someone else can help or just give me the answers i'm looking for.

I'm building a car, let's just call it a kit car, and let's just pretend i'm using a 1996 Corvette LT1 engine.

The engine already has a compressor attached. So i want to use it, and i want to have full air con inside the car (large 2 door coupe).

Can i just steal bits from other cars to make it work? What i mean is, can i go and get the "control unit" with all the heater controls from a VW/Ford/Saab whatever.. and match it to it's blower? Then source condenser/evaporator etc from something else?

I'm 100% new to air con, and although i'm not a complete idiot - ac is a black art i don't get. I just need to know know how all these parts "talk" to each other.

Can anyon help?

Edited by AMCDan on Thursday 4th September 12:50

[crofty1984]

No, but me can learn you english.

Sorry, that was uncalled for. Actually, I'd be interested in the answer to this too, I'm after getting a 70às ford for Italy, but it gets bloody hot here in summer.

Edited by crofty1984 on Thursday 4th September 12:52

[FlossyThePig]

This should be on the kit car forum as there are lots of knowledgeable builders there. Neil Foreman's "Car Builder Solutions" can supply all the rest of the gear you may need.

Hugh

[tr7v8]

Neil Foreman does various A/C bits for his P4 replicas & could help you.
Website here:-
http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/heatac-95-c.asp

[funkyboogalooo]

AMCDan said:

Can i just steal bits from other cars to make it work? What i mean is, can i go and get the "control unit" with all the heater controls from a VW/Ford/Saab whatever.. and match it to it's blower? Then source condenser/evaporator etc from something else?

Edited by AMCDan on Thursday 4th September 12:50

Essentially yes but its not quite that simple. The condensor, drier, and many parts will be fine but putting them all together with high and low pressure switches in the system, expansion valves, evap temp sensors etc will be hard work. Their is a pretty good forum in the USA I used to visit.

http://acsource.net/acforum/
or
http://www.autoacforum.com/categories.cfm?catid=2

HTH
Mike

[AMCDan]

thanks for that.. i had been contemplating a compressorless vintageair system but want to see what my other options are.

thanks for the info on the car builder solutions stuff - i've seen their website before, but i find it all a bit too "kit car" i'm afraid. This car will look as near as production as possible when finished.

cheers

[FlossyThePig]

AMCDan said:

thanks for that.. i had been contemplating a compressorless vintageair system but want to see what my other options are.

thanks for the info on the car builder solutions stuff - i've seen their website before, but i find it all a bit too "kit car" i'm afraid. This car will look as near as production as possible when finished.

cheers

Why do you think that a "kit car" can't look as near as production as possible when finished?

[AMCDan]

i didn't say it couldn't.. but the heater units they have look like something i'd expect to see hanging under an MDF dash in a nearly completed locost

Edited by AMCDan on Thursday 4th September 14:31

[balls-out]

AMCDan said:

I'm building a car, let's just call it a kit car, and let's just pretend i'm using a 1996 Corvette LT1 engine.

can'thelp - sorry. but I'd love to know what you are building!

[AMCDan]

... it's not really a kit car.

It's a 1973 Javelin. But it's getting converted from a monocoque to a chassis car, with all associated running gear. Corvette drivetrain with 6 speed box, Mustang front suspension, willwood stuff...

It's going to be a road going drag car essentially. Although the interior spec is going to be 100% modern. BMW E46 interior (seats etc) and custom dash.