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Kerry Chadderton
Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2017
Posts: 46
Location: Easton, MD
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 Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 3:58 pm Post subject: Best aftermarket A/C |
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Hey Guys & Girls,
I have searched already. I promise! The searches I did resulted in hundreds of post topics completely unrelated to the direct question that I have; Who sells the best aftermarket A/C system in your opinion?
My 73 STD resto/refurb/mod-ish project is going very well so far. However this summer has had a whole lotta +90 temperature days. It has me thinking... for another $2K I could be very happy at traffic lights!
Thank you in advance! |
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Q-Dog
Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2010
Posts: 8700
Location: Sunset, Louisiana
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 4:01 pm Post subject: Re: Best aftermarket A/C |
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I believe there are only a couple of places left that still sell a complete A/C setup for the air cooled VW. Which is better? Good question. I'll do a quick Google search and get back to you.
_________________
Brian
'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle |
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Kerry Chadderton
Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2017
Posts: 46
Location: Easton, MD
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 4:10 pm Post subject: Re: Best aftermarket A/C |
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| Shoot Brian, don't do that. I've searched the "Interweb" myself. All I see is Gilmore and Parts VW. Both look good but I'd really like to see more install pics, read through a copy of the install manual or hear from the Samba's personal experiences. |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31385
Location: Hot Arizona
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Multi69s
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 5367
Location: Lefty, CA
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theKbStockpiler
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2012
Posts: 2316
Location: Rust Belt
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 7:51 pm Post subject: Re: Best aftermarket A/C |
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Do any of these systems use a Flooded? evaporator?
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My beetle is not competing with your beetle. I have the yellow beetle in my town. There is a red one, a green one ......
Use all safety devices including a mask. |
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Multi69s
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 5367
Location: Lefty, CA
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rhd914
Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2012
Posts: 85
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 8:50 pm Post subject: Re: Best aftermarket A/C |
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| Hi, what is flooded evaporator? |
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theKbStockpiler
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2012
Posts: 2316
Location: Rust Belt
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| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 9:16 pm Post subject: Re: Best aftermarket A/C |
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They have a evaporator like a tank and hold a LOT of refrigerant. They conduct heat substantially better. Some G.M's have evaporators that hold about 3 times as much as other systems so I suspect that they are some type of flooded system. Edit: I had a Buick that needed a 3x charge and it was the best working system I had experienced besides a R12 car.
_________________
My beetle is not competing with your beetle. I have the yellow beetle in my town. There is a red one, a green one ......
Use all safety devices including a mask. |
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Kerry Chadderton
Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2017
Posts: 46
Location: Easton, MD
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 8:04 am Post subject: Re: Best aftermarket A/C |
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Thanks! I like the Gilmore site. I have a request into them for an install manual.
I wasn't as impressed with ICE's site and the install manual didn't jive at all with what the site claimed; "Just a few hand tools and a 1 1/8" hole saw". The instructions ask for two 3" holes. Then it goes into a description about "banging the fender lip flat" to accommodate hose clearance. I don't know about all of that mess.
Anyway, thanks again, and if anyone has documented an A/C install I'd love to see it! |
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AlmostHeavenWV_VW 
Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2017
Posts: 1966
Location: WV
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 8:17 am Post subject: Re: Best aftermarket A/C |
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| Kerry Chadderton wrote: |
Thanks! I like the Gilmore site. I have a request into them for an install manual.
[.......]
Anyway, thanks again, and if anyone has documented an A/C install I'd love to see it! |
Not sure that this is the precise kit or application you will have to work with but this is a decent pictorial
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=622565&highlight=gilmore
Happy bug'n
_________________
1973 Standard Beetle
1600DP AK case
Solex 34PICT3 Carb
Bosch DVDA 205AJ Distributor |
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Kerry Chadderton
Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2017
Posts: 46
Location: Easton, MD
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 10:56 am Post subject: Re: Best aftermarket A/C |
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Yes that did help. It made me happy that I'm not doing this on a Super! Sheesh.
I'm still on the fence with this. I'm waiting for Gilmore's instruction sheets but from what I've seen thus far there is a LOT of hacking/cutting/bending/cussing going on with these kits. Is that a fair judgement?
Forgive me. I just finished one side of the rear wheel bearings, control arm & T-bar bushings replacement. I'm sweaty, sore and whiny at the moment! |
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allamaabroad
Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2016
Posts: 560
Location: South Jordan, Utah
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 2:53 pm Post subject: Re: Best aftermarket A/C |
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Just from experience working on a couple cars with A/C, it's just not worth it. Unless you have an engine that's a 2 liter or larger, the engine can't sustain using the AC as the compressor uses a lot of power. The compressor unit also makes it an absolute pain to do almost anything on the engine and all the hoses and extra pieces for the AC can get very annoying to work around. Its just not really worth all the fuss and chopping and hacking. Keep your simple car, simple.
_________________
Dennis - 1973 Super Beetle ('16-'21)
Debbie- 1970 Baywindow Bus ('21 - Present)
Tin top camper/adventure bus
2180 TW: CNC Panchitos, Beehives Done Right, Web 163, Ultralight Lifters, 1.3 Rockers, CSP Python, Custom Speeduino EFI Conversion with 40mm Throttle Bodies
Distributors are lame
I have a really hard time leaving things alone...
Innovative and affordable engine management systems and EFI conversions for your Vintage VW
Visit https://debbiesaircooled.com/ |
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Mos6502
Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2015
Posts: 725
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 3:23 pm Post subject: Re: Best aftermarket A/C |
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| allamaabroad wrote: |
| Just from experience working on a couple cars with A/C, it's just not worth it. Unless you have an engine that's a 2 liter or larger, the engine can't sustain using the AC as the compressor uses a lot of power. The compressor unit also makes it an absolute pain to do almost anything on the engine and all the hoses and extra pieces for the AC can get very annoying to work around. Its just not really worth all the fuss and chopping and hacking. Keep your simple car, simple. |
Modern AC, or n original 70's unit?
I've seen people put modern setups in Model A fords, if those can handle it, a VW can handle it. |
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Frodge
Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2006
Posts: 1991
Location: Dump
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 3:29 pm Post subject: Re: Best aftermarket A/C |
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| I had an original Tecumseh in my 70. It’s in the trash bin. |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31385
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 5:45 pm Post subject: Re: Best aftermarket A/C |
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| allamaabroad wrote: |
| Just from experience working on a couple cars with A/C, it's just not worth it. Unless you have an engine that's a 2 liter or larger, the engine can't sustain using the AC as the compressor uses a lot of power. |
I'll disagree with this; I had 1835cc dual port engine (heads stock except opened up for cylinders, stock cam, single Weber 40DCNF, German 009, external oil cooler, lid standoffs, Arizona) with dealer-added DPD AC with Tecumseh compressor for 18 years, and it could handle that compressor fine. Modern AC systems require even less engine hp.
Yes, if parked in the southwest sun for a while, will take a while to cool, but this goes for any vehicle. I always look for a shady parking spot with my air-conditioned trucks, even if my walking distance to a store is tripled.
| allamaabroad wrote: |
| The compressor unit also makes it an absolute pain to do almost anything on the engine and all the hoses and extra pieces for the AC can get very annoying to work around. |
This is true. I cut an access panel under the left rear fender to access #3 and #4 spark plugs and wires; with the leaded gas of that era, plugs needed changing frequently. I also engineered a tensioner bracket for the AC belt so I could use non-VW belts, so almost like a serpentine belt, pressed on belt's outer edge.
I might be able to be convinced to sell this set-up....
Yes, compressor did make it tougher to R&R the engine, had to move compressor to the side.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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Frodge
Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2006
Posts: 1991
Location: Dump
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 5:54 pm Post subject: Re: Best aftermarket A/C |
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| I took mine out for a couple reasons. First off, I honesty hated the way it looked in there. It just took up so much space and made the 3, 4 side thought to work on. Thirdly, I never used it, and it didn’t work well. May have needed to be serviced or something. After I had floor pans put in 2.5 years ago, I just pulled it out. It’s how the bug was designed. |
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theKbStockpiler
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2012
Posts: 2316
Location: Rust Belt
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 7:12 pm Post subject: Re: Best aftermarket A/C |
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If you have to sit in heavy traffic it's going to be worth the hassle otherwise a cooler with your favorite beverage in the back seat is the way to go.  I think the factory seats were designed to sweat in.
Anyone think that not having a hot engine in the front helps with a ACVW?
_________________
My beetle is not competing with your beetle. I have the yellow beetle in my town. There is a red one, a green one ......
Use all safety devices including a mask. |
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Multi69s
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 5367
Location: Lefty, CA
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 9:30 pm Post subject: Re: Best aftermarket A/C |
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| Kerry Chadderton wrote: |
| It has me thinking... for another $2K I could be very happy at traffic lights! |
Granted the VW I put AC in is a Squareback, but at a stop light, its worth its weight in gold. We have been running a string of 104-107 degree days. I have also worked on bugs that had the Tecumseh compressor installed, and yes for those who have mentioned it, they are rather difficult to get to some parts of the engine. However, the modern Sanden, or similar compressors are much more compact, and draw considerably less HP from the engine as well. On cooler days, I drive one of my bugs, but when the temps go up, I drive my Squareback. That way I don't get to my destination a soggy mess.
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69 road Bug 2110
73 Squareback - 2L, T4, Automatic W/ AC
Gone, but many fond memories 69 Baja Bug 2010 - 5 Rib Bus Transaxle
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My builds
T4 into Squareback http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=458944&highlight=
Auto Trans Rebuild http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=516066&highlight=
AC in Squareback https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight= |
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Frodge
Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2006
Posts: 1991
Location: Dump
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| Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2018 1:20 am Post subject: Re: Best aftermarket A/C |
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| theKbStockpiler wrote: |
I think the factory seats were designed to sweat in.
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What do you mean? Intentionally made to sweat in? Or made so that when you sweat they aren’t destroyed? |
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