Small Car Performance, DIY Front A/C Installation

[JudoJeff]

Alika,
I have the Behr condenser, if you pay for shipping, you can have it. Let me know
Jeff
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1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

[ALIKA T3]

[ALIKA T3]

[kourt]

Howdy,

I don’t think the inconvenience of the 16x24 is worth the benefit. It’s really a bear to work with, especially if you have to do a radiator or fan replacement down the road.

If you need more condenser area, consider a second condenser, fan driven, in front of the fuel tank bulkhead.

Kourt

[ALIKA T3]

[YogaSquirrelWESTY]

Amazing thanks for the first post.

I have an 88 vanagon automatic with A/C consdering removing it anyone done this or have issues with this?

or is this just a bad idea and i should keep it

[JudoJeff]

In LA I'd keep it. Read the long A/C thread on how to get it working, very doable.

I'll be in LA for Christmas, in case you want to pick my brain.
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1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

[Ahwahnee]

[bajaleo]

[JudoJeff]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=423893&highlight=john+sullivan

There are others, too, you have to put the time in studying
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1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

[GreggK]

Hey guys,
Its time for me to choose a condenser for my Smallcar A/C. What are the factors when choosing. Does the motor or compressor come into play?
I saw talk of the Nostalgic air 16x22. Would you all say that's the one to go with. I also see Go-westy has an option as well. Any input?
Thanks GreggK

[16CVs]

The Go Westy kit is the way to go. It has the brackets pre bent and all the hardware. The only down side is the extra hose that you don't need.

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.

[Howesight]

[GreggK]

Hi Howesight,
I'll have to look and see what kind of compressor I have. My engine is a 1.9 SOHC Pumpe Duse. Its a FAS kit. I don't know the dimensions of the condenser Go-westy offers. I didn't measure the original condenser before I recycled it, but is 16x22 an adequate size? Also, what is the ideal refrigerant.
I've never had A/C in any of my vans so this is the first time I've had to learn about it and how it works so sorry if I'm asking basic questions.
Thanks GreggK

[16CVs]

Starting my Install on Saturday. I've been prepping a dash and parts needed before my install.
I will be hooking it up to my 2.2 Subaru which came to me with a Pump and hoses previously converted.
Does a Subaru 2.2 ECU have an enrichment wire like a Digifant which increases the idle when the pump is engaged?
We are doing 2 vans one weekend apart, mine is No 1. My local fabricator will be making all the hoses and drilling the holes and doing the hose install.
Both of our vans will be done exactly alike, same Receiver drier and new Condenser.
I was able to get my dash and heater box pulled, so I am getting bit of a jump on the process.
This install is well documented and I hope to have it in and tied up by day break Saturday.
_________________
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.

[MarkWard]

Gregg, the PD diesel is bound to have a variable displacement compressor. I needed to disable the feature to get the system to work with a conventional expansion valve. I am not familiar with the smallcar system, but if it is similar to the vintage air system, they operate at a lower low pressure than you would normally expect. R134 has been working fine.
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[16CVs]

So I've been playing with two In Dash Installs, Both 2.2 Subaru's and one is a Factory AC van and one is a Syncro.
Wiring is straight forward. I wired my main power to the battery as suggested by VA and other people in this thread. I think that hooking it to the Fan supply wire is probably adequate but I'd prefer safe.
So anyone here with a Subaru have you figured out how to hook up to the ECU for idle stabilization when the pump is activated.
It was mentioned that someone had designed circuit to tie into the water valve to power a water circulation pump. Anyone know of this?
Hoping to have both vans ready for hose fab for Monday and then re install the dash.

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.

[SCP_Austin]

In terms of cooling--I have a high top and i am wondering what specs i would need to ensure cool temps for the entire cabin...

AGN
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#leftlanelife

[rmcd]

My install is part way done. I need to redo my TDI motor mounts to make room for the AC compressor and lines. I'll be using these engine bars from Tony here in the classifieds. I will need to cut and re clock the passenger side bar to clearance the Compressor.

I've got the dash sorted, installed and running hot air. One thing I've not read about in this thread is the clocking of the controls. My fan, temp and vent dial controls are not pointing correctly. They need to be calibrated to correspond to the sweep of the graphics.

The controls work fine, but aren't pointing to the right settings. Anyone else have this issue? Anyone know how to fix it?
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VW LT40 build. Like a Vanagon but 30% larger in every direction and 40% slower even in metric.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=749359&highlight=

[meassick]

I installed a Gen IV system in my 87 Westy with the 2.1 engine. Heating output is very low due to the flow restriction of the core in conjunction with the long heater lines. I added an inline pump and wired in a controller to turn the pump on when the Gen IV system is calling for heat and the blower is on. This helps significantly with heat output.

The pump is mounted to the shifter box underneath the van

Here is the circuit that I built to control it. The relay module is available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PFA83RW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1