T350 Air Con. How necessary and possible retro fit

[Noblebenn]

Was just wondering how good the air con is in the T350 and Tamora and how necessary is it, would you buy a car without it?

Also is retro fitting possible?

Thanks

[chris watton]

I asked this a year ago. The consensus is that it is no longer possible to retro fit, due to lack of parts.

[Noblebenn]

Thanks Chris. That's a shame, guess its just a question of how necessary it is now.

I can imagine it could get pretty unbearable in traffic or built up areas in the heat of summer.

[chris watton]

Noblebenn said:

Thanks Chris. That's a shame, guess its just a question of how necessary it is now.

I can imagine it could get pretty unbearable in traffic or built up areas in the heat of summer.

It can, yes, but at least in the Tamora, in the Summer the roof is off, negating the air con. Different matter in the T350, though.

[ShiDevil]

chris watton said:

I asked this a year ago. The consensus is that it is no longer possible to retro fit, due to lack of parts.

Really? My mate just bought the Tvr aircon parts and fitted them to his Noble. I'm pretty sure you can fit aircon it's just a case of time and effort and the parts shouldn't necessarily have to be TVR if there are issues as it's just an Aircon unit, pipes etc.

Race tech seem to sell most of the components. I'm sure others will have some too.

Edited by ShiDevil on Saturday 13th June 15:08

[chris watton]

ShiDevil said:

chris watton said:

I asked this a year ago. The consensus is that it is no longer possible to retro fit, due to lack of parts.

Really? My mate just bought the Tvr aircon parts and fitted them to his Noble. I'm pretty sure you can fit aircon it's just a case of time and effort and the parts shouldn't necessarily have to be TVR if there are issues as it's just an Aircon unit, pipes etc.

Race tech seem to sell most of the components. I'm sure others will have some too.

Edited by ShiDevil on Saturday 13th June 15:08

I emailed a couple of TVR specialists a while ago, both said the same thing, that they could no longer get all of the parts required, so had stopped offering the retro fit service.

I can only go on what I was told.

[NJP]

As Chris has said it certainly used to be possible from specialists. My Tam has AC but I was asking around before I bought one if it was possible in case I got one without it.

I would have a bit of trawling of breakers yards you could get the required parts if they can't be supplied "new" by the various TVR parts suppliers.

Shouldn't be too arduous task to fit the thing I wouldn't have thought. Not going to be easy but not beyond the wit of man I don't think. Certainly going to be easier if you could have a nosey round a car that already has it to get the general gist of what is going on!

Sounds like an interesting project!

[Lotus E300S]

I have air con and it's poor even when serviced and gassed up.

Coupes really need a decent system and I'd look for a better aftermarket system rather than the Tvr system.

Edited by Lotus E300S on Saturday 13th June 16:02

[NJP]

Thats weird. The output of my AC system is icey cold but let down by the routing on the blower system and the airflow it creates!

[TVRinBFG]

I looked at retro fitting aircon to a T350C earlier this year and the parts were avialble at circa £1400 plus VAT. And then fitting time we weren't sure how long, but maybe as much as two days? Speaking to dealers who have done it, they don't really want to do another. In the end we sold the T350C cheaper than we would have a car, with it fitted. The T350/Tamora/Sagaris aircon works well, so I think there is a fault with yours Lotus E300S?

Noblebenn - Having aircon means the car is more practical and you're more likely to keep Mrs Noblebenn on side. So ideally you want it?

[chris watton]

I admit that when stuck in traffic, even in the Tam, even with the roof off, the heat soak can become almost unbearable. Great when moving along, but once stationary, the best I get is warm to slightly hot air blowing from the vents when set to cold in my non AC Tam.

If a complete aftermarket retro fit solution ever becomes available, I think I'd be up for it.

[benriley77]

I asked my local TVR garage the very same question a couple of weeks a go. They certainly didn't say they couldn't do it but they did say expect it to cost around £2500.00.

[Noblebenn]

So looks like the search continues for one with Air Con.

Going slightly off topic, trying to get my head around the pricing of Tams and T350's at the moment is a bit of a nightmare.
From my search so far it seems that all the prices have a fair bit of play and to buy on condition is definitely the way forward, regardless of mileage. The dealers pre purchase service, prep work and warranty package seem attractive but i've never been afraid of buying privately. I'm even less bothered now about a rebuild having been done with the later cars, 2004 onwards, if it has a good history and is in great condition.

How long until most cars on the market are £30k+ i wonder!

[Lotus E300S]

Looking at this old thread it seems it weighs 70kg and was still crap when new,

Think I might be taking mine out.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing//topic.asp?h=0&...

[chris watton]

Lotus E300S said:

Looking at this old thread it seems it weighs 70kg and was still crap when new,

Think I might be taking mine out.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing//topic.asp?h=0&...

Cripes, that's like carrying another passenger!

(I am just over 70kg)

[Lotus E300S]

chris watton said:

Lotus E300S said:

Looking at this old thread it seems it weighs 70kg and was still crap when new,

Think I might be taking mine out.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing//topic.asp?h=0&...

Cripes, that's like carrying another passenger!

(I am just over 70kg)

I very much doubt it's anywhere near that weight to be honest.

[PuffsBack]

Properly setup the AirCon should be fine. Both my Sag and Cerb are as good as my Eurobox. Lovely and cool