Small Car Performance, DIY Front A/C Installation

[drj434343]

No stock AC system that I've encountered runs the fan coupled to the compressor, which is why I questioned Small Car's wiring and added the ability to disable that.

What I found was that the fan triggering with the compressor caused the compressor to cycle much more rapidly than just triggering the fan on the trinary switch. I didn't see any improvements in vent temperatures, so I view that behavior as just increasing wear on everything.

I'm sure there are other considerations I'm not aware of, but if I can get my 40-degree vent temp AND cycle the fan and compressor less frequently, it seems like a win-win.

[drj434343]

I have a question for Small Car AC owners. I'm going through my first winter with the Gen V system, and I've found the heat to be insufficient.

It can't keep even the front of the van comfortable at anything below 45 F exterior temperatures. I'm definitely wearing a jacket when driving to compensate. My vent temperatures are about 105F at 50% fan, no defrost, and full dialed heat. I have the analog triple-dial setup.

I've verified the engine is getting up to temperature (190F), and the engine setup itself is unchanged from when I ran the stock heater box which put out tons of heat.

I'm assuming the primary issue here is the size of the heater core they could fit inside the box, but I would be interested in knowing if others can confirm the lack-luster heating.

I'm thinking about mitigation options, including insulating the heater core lines from the engine to reduce the temp drop getting to the front of the car. I'm also considering a higher temperature thermostat.

Any thoughts or advice would be welcome, thanks!

[ALIKA T3]

Its been an issue on all generations.
Some people have installed a circulating pump to compensate for the crappy exchanger.
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Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
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[ledogboy]

Do you have, or could you install a rear heater? That thing puts out some crazy heat.
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1986 Westy Weekender
Now a full camper
1.8t Syncro conversion
Some people call him Maurice...

[dcasali]

Over the past decade my summertime Westy travels in the intermountain west have too often been ruined by increasingly frequent triple digit heat events. My 1989 2WD Westy with factory AC is no match for those temps (well maybe if you could drive from the rear seat).

I’m on the cusp of having Small Car Performance install their Gen V unit into my van at considerable expense (~$7K) - they are only an hour or so drive away. I’ve owned a Vanagon or three since 1986 and do most of the work on it, but at age 78 and without lift or garage I’m not game for installing the SC kit.

I’ve spent considerable time reading this entire thread yet I still have some questions about the performance of the unit.

My primary concern is for driver/front passenger comfort. The rear seat is rarely occupied.

Front seats AC performance at 90+ temps is essential. What has been the experience with the Gen 5 unit? How about when using both front and rear evaporators in parallel? Is a curtain between front and rear compartments necessary?

How badly is heating performance compromised? Mountain morning temperatures can be at or below freezing even in the summer. <drj, I saw your recent comments and questions. Any answers?>

Can you defrost an icy windshield? I saw that one user installed a pump in the van coolant line to boost heater performance. Is that worth doing?

My rear seat heater is still intact, though I’ve never actually used it (note to self: verify function). Does it make any noticeable difference to the front occupants? How does one control it?

Fresh air vents right and left no longer function, correct? I saw mention of a work around but couldn’t find it described.

How noisy is the unit? What creates the noise? (radiator fan or in-dash fan?) Is it quieter than open front windows?

How maintainable is the install? What repairs or modifications of the install are possible without removing the entire dashboard? I’m thinking especially of the trinary switch and radiator fan relay(s?)

Overall, has the SCP unit met your expectations; would you recommend it?

Many thanks in advance....

[16CVs]

Install alongside OE unit is a big yes. Have you tried removing the plastic plenum and getting one of SAH replacement vents. It actually blows cold sir against the front glass.

A division curtain is a must, it does heat OK, but when raining or moist you need the AC pump running to remove the moisture.

I don’t find the noise bad, I hate fan noise and un needed beeps and buzzes. The new unit has many upgrades including vent doors that don’t stick.

I eliminated the end vents and found the unit lacks air movement at the center of the dash. We’ve had it in hot climates and it makes a huge dufference.

I’ve also put a metalized 3M film in the front glass.


Hope that helps
Stacy
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[dcasali]

[16CVs]

You would have to call him and leave a message. I don't think they answer their phones anymore.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Ahwahnee]

In case you didn't catch this, I think SAH = https://www.stephansautohaus.com/

[vik]

[joetiger]

[shagginwagon83]

Has anyone had any luck with the Front A/C along with a rear A/C? Or at least a setup that has two evaporators?
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"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram: @joannthevan

[vik]

Had a chat felixbobcat and he helped me to figure out the missing electrical stuff. Great guy!
Need to buy one fuse and wire in one relay and I shall be good to go.
Still many steps before I can say - done.
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T3 Syncro camper in progress

[GreggK]

Has anyone used the "updated" wire diagram, for the Gen IV In-dash unit, on the Smallcar site? Page 41 in the Gen IV install instructions, in their Technical Support Library. After having mine installed for 5 years now, I'm just looking at the diagram, preparing to wire up and plumb the A/C.
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'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
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[vik]

Question
How did you attached the heater cover under dash? It is originally attached to the vanagon heater.
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T3 Syncro camper in progress

[joetiger]

[joetiger]

Actually here's a pic that shows my heater cover setup better. You can see the black allen bolts in the upper corners holding the L brackets, as well as the bottom bracket.

_________________
Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'91 Wolfsburg Carat "Barchetta"
'02 Baja-ish Beetle "Bubbles"

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Justice for Megan: https://linktr.ee/justiceformegantrussell

[vik]

i see, that is obvious solution.
Thx
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T3 Syncro camper in progress

[Kdj]

Does anyone have a clear picture of the gen5 evaporator housing mocked up in mounting position without any of the hoses or wiring in place? Similar to this but maybe with out hoses.

Having not seen one installed I'm just curious about placement and ducting compared to other available options of evaporator housings that look like they might fit better.

Couple of the other ones that I thought might fit better

https://restomodair.com/shopproducts/haymaker-s-custom-air-conditioning-kit/

https://www.classicautoair.com/shop/complete-ac-sy...ng-system/

One has as a higher CFM rated fan the the vintage air unit but haven't been able to find info on BTU's yet. I'm just trying to decide which way to go. Obviously the small car option is a proven install.