Custom made car aircon tubes

[wca]

I need to reroute the air con lines around the front of my car See here for details(https://youtu.be/PlGSR6w2_hI) and I am having a real hard time finding anyone who does custom pipes. I was going to do it myself in stainless steel but the fixings at one end need TIG welding and if I have a flexy section in there, which I should have, I think, then I need a special 6 sided crimping tool which is about £150-£200 and I need it for 2 crimps.

The photo below shows the current aluminium pipe, with flexi section connected to the left air con radiator and then going up and over the bumper mounting. The other side is a mirror image with the pipe meeting a flexy and then a piece of aluminium going down to the radiator on that side.



I want to reroute the pipe so it is lower and mounted under the bumper mounts as shown by the cupro nickel brake line I have made a pattern piece with. I guess that I can put the flexies in wherever is easiest but similar to the original.

Anyone know anyone, preferably near Southampton, who can help me out on this?

[mwstewart]

You're going to need someone who can TIG as you'll need to modify the condensor fitting - there isn't a suitable straight length of hard line to work with, so it's going to be a case of sawing off the existing flange/line and re-welding to suit.

Fittings are available e.g. https://youtu.be/Ke_9ethHTG4?si=pYvt27TbJ_LZ20je

Take the assembly to your local hydraulic hose outfit to swage in position. Ideally a more 'local business some EU legislation was introduced that meant most of the larger firms stopped working with existing hose assemblies.

Alternatively some companies will build a custom line: https://coldhose.com/products/build-a-custom-ac-ho...

[stevemcs]

Would someone like Pirtek do it, or around here there is a company called designation.

[wca]

While I do own a TIG welder, I wouldn't trust my abilities, especially on thing aluminium.

Hyphose, Hampshire Hoses don't touch air con, probably to do with the legislation. Pirtek have nothing on their website either.

I have found one possibility up in Kettering but was hoping for something closer to home. Most the others are US based

[wca]

Just found this video that shows the connector removed from the radiator. Interestingly the radiator is actually held in place by the pipes. One at the bottom shown disconnected and one at the opposite top corner.



Definitely Porsche specific so it looks like I will need to get someone to weld what ever I need onto the existing bit of pipe. Bugger. I wonder if I can get away with bending the existing pipework - I don't think so but one to look at in the morning

[ColourRestorer]

Have you tried Avacs at Alton? They're excellent at making and fitting bespoke air con kit for cars. www.avacs.co.uk
(I've no connection other than being a very satisfied customer)

[Trev and Jules]

Would also also suggest AVACS Alton very knowledgeable people

[poppopbangbang]

When I converted my 996 to e-aircon I just salvaged the fittings off the old hoses, put a new face on the welded end in the mill and got a local fabricator to tig them onto two short EZ Clip barbs salvaged from some spare 45's. I then made the lines up with EZ Clip fittings on everything - https://hoses.co.uk/product-category/hydraulics/ae... which can be crimped with a standard ear clamp tool. There's no issue doing it all in flexi vs hardlines unless you're building 30 cars a day on a production line.

That was a few years ago and it's still holding gas

Edited to add: The rad shouldn't be held in place by the pipes unless something is broken. There is an ear in receptacle fitting on one end and a couple of screws on the other which secure them to the water rad end tanks.

Edited by poppopbangbang on Thursday 18th January 00:39

[Chimaera98]

Bee-Cool do bespoke pipes.

Not cheap though, had one made up by them through a specialist, was about £400 for a one off piece of pipe with connections.

[Huntsman]

If its just the tig welding, go ask Aldens in Northam.

http://www.aldensheetmetal.co.uk/