Wish I'd fitted Air Con . . . .It Begins. . . . .
Discussion
Yesterday I started the strip down to retro-fit the air con unit, looks like it's going to be a bit of a 'mare to retro fit, I don't have centre dials, so no hole in the top of the dash to fiddle through, and my back says that it's not going to hold out to be upside down for any length of time. So I'm de-riveting the centre section in the hope that I can break the seal and lift the section up far enough to extract the old heater and install the air con unit and associated bits, being a Can-Am I'm guessing that it 'should' be possible!!. I have marked all around the joins so I have a good chance of lining it up on assembly. The condenser radiator is too big to get into the side pod as it stands, has anyone had to replace this radiator? The only way it looks like I'm going to get it in is to take the side grill out and slide the rad in bit by bit and then reassemble it in the pod. Just figuring out a way to fit the pipes through the luggage container at the moment, I guess a stepped drill bit should get me some way there. . . . . .
Any guesses on how long it's going to take?
Any guesses on how long it's going to take?
Graham, just curious to know why you feel the need to fit air con? I have no side screens fitted in the GTW at present and was out @ Goodwood yesterday and was able to really asses the situation and I didn't think it was that bad. Also, is it not the idea of air con to only really get to work when the cabin is enclosed ala GTR? How can you see it working efficiently in a CanAm? Not trying to be negative in any way just trying to better understand your rational?
Hi Graham very interested on how you get on. I will retro mine over next winter. Should have done this year but no time. Will probably just remove grill as not to difficult to refit, may look to see if I could come up with a way of fitting it so it can be removed in future or just go for side scoops. I have centre dials so will try and go that way and may also re cover dash at same time.
I had a lot of advice to fit when I built and after 3 years and 11,000 miles yes its necessary. Put another way never yet used the heater even in mid winter. The basic problem is just heat soak, onece the car is running warm you just get heating coming at you from all directions.
Good luck and would appreciate any notes on progress.
Brian
I had a lot of advice to fit when I built and after 3 years and 11,000 miles yes its necessary. Put another way never yet used the heater even in mid winter. The basic problem is just heat soak, onece the car is running warm you just get heating coming at you from all directions.
Good luck and would appreciate any notes on progress.
Brian
GTWayne said:
Graham, just curious to know why you feel the need to fit air con? I have no side screens fitted in the GTW at present and was out @ Goodwood yesterday and was able to really asses the situation and I didn't think it was that bad. Also, is it not the idea of air con to only really get to work when the cabin is enclosed ala GTR? How can you see it working efficiently in a CanAm? Not trying to be negative in any way just trying to better understand your rational?
Do you not have A/C then Wayne? Must be pretty toasty in the car when enclosed? As Brian said, it's heatwash that's the problem and backwash from the engine area - not something you get on the GTR.Re lifting the body - I'd be VERY careful with this. The problem isn't the rivets, it's the sikaflex that should also be bonding it. Not only will that bond be VERY strong, you will have a nightmare of a time removing the dried material once the body section is off (and I strongly suspect you'll break the fibreglass in the process)
Nigel Dean retro-fitted A/C to his GTR if I remember rightly. You basically have to take the blower unit apart and rebuild it in situ. Taking the cockpit off will do more harm than good I'm afraid.
GTWayne said:
Graham, just curious to know why you feel the need to fit air con? I have no side screens fitted in the GTW at present and was out @ Goodwood yesterday and was able to really asses the situation and I didn't think it was that bad. Also, is it not the idea of air con to only really get to work when the cabin is enclosed ala GTR? How can you see it working efficiently in a CanAm? Not trying to be negative in any way just trying to better understand your rational?
with the full screen its almost the same as being in a GTR, there is no wind movement so all hot air stays in the cabin in the same way as a GTR.Having no side screens makes a huge difference to the airflow in the cockpit, with them fitted it makes almost no difference to airflow in the cockpit if the roof is fitted or not.
We have air con in the Boxster and it still works with the roof down, just in a different way, its not like having the windows down on a hard top car.
I told Graham he would want air con when he was building the car without doubt I would have retro-fitted it to mine if I had kept it.
Wayne, I have spoken to a couple of Can-Am owners with air con and they say it works, and as Andy said that it would work in a different way to an enclosed car.
Brian, I'll post on here how it's going and maybe a few pics, I suspect fitting the pipes will also be a challenge.
I'm afraid that I can't work under the dash for fear of doing my back again, it's hard enough just getting in and out let alone trying to contort myself for a couple of hours, plus I don't have any access through the top of the dash as Nigel did.
It'll have to be a steady pull on the cockpit while I try to break the seal with a blade, I know it's not going to be easy.
Thanks for the advice though. I'll let you know if I break anything.
PS. If anyone has a free weekend then you could always come over and..................
Brian, I'll post on here how it's going and maybe a few pics, I suspect fitting the pipes will also be a challenge.
I'm afraid that I can't work under the dash for fear of doing my back again, it's hard enough just getting in and out let alone trying to contort myself for a couple of hours, plus I don't have any access through the top of the dash as Nigel did.
It'll have to be a steady pull on the cockpit while I try to break the seal with a blade, I know it's not going to be easy.
Thanks for the advice though. I'll let you know if I break anything.
PS. If anyone has a free weekend then you could always come over and..................
TuxMan said:
what a bunch of girls ..............air con whatever next !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! can-am drivers do it with a sweat on 
.....................................................graham can you send me the pictures when its done thanks . simon
If it's any consolation Simon I will still sweat...only you won't know if it's because of the heat or that I've been over 40mph.....................................................graham can you send me the pictures when its done thanks . simon
andygtt said:
Are you hinting for me to book a week off work again???? lol.
I was thinking Simon.......I know deep down he wants air con, why else would he want pics......
He'll also ask to buy his carb back
Any way guys, I have just got the cockpit off, just a slight chip off a leading edge, but I might beable to get away with that. I'm just going to dismantle the heater box tonight and call it a day.
Tomorrow I'll install the the air con bracket and then try to figure out the wiring and switch locations.
At what stage should I post some pics???
Crazy of Cookham said:
Graham, I know its extra work but the seats will come out of mine to make access easier my back is way beyond those upside down antics
It's one time where having a central shift is a pain in the derriere too!Let me know if you need a hand Brian....
...I'll call Guy and get him to come round
TuxMan said:
what a bunch of girls ..............air con whatever next !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! can-am drivers do it with a sweat on .....................................................................................................graham can you send me the pictures when its done thanks . simon
Exactly......................................................................................................graham can you send me the pictures when its done thanks . simonGassing Station | Ultima | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff