Custom Air Conditioning
Posted by DrifterDavid@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 30 comments
So wondering how many of you have jumped down the rabbit hole of custom air conditioning and lines. I've got a 400hp Miata. About 2.5 years ago I added a large intercooler to the front and in doing this has to delete my stock receiver/dryer and install an aftermarket one in the engine compartment. Unfortunately the desiccant ruptured and now I need to take it all back apart again. While it's apart like all things on my vehicle, it seems like a great time to upgrade.
I've been talking to some guys at vintage air and apparently there are companies that make adapters to convert from normal ac fittings to A/N lines. You can run ptfe lines and would be plenty good enough to hold the pressures. I've just not gone down this rabbit hole before. Wondering if someone in here has possibly ran braided A/N lines for their a/c lines.
Another option is vintage air's ez clip system, and there's others from other companies as well. But they are smaller than typical ac lines and a lot more flexible. I think it would give me enough end to run a vertical dryer instead of the horizontal setup that gave me problems the last time. But I'd really love to do the a/n lines as it would definitely clean up my bay some. I'm about to do a wire tuck soon as well so with those 2 things I think it would drastically improve the looks under the hood.
maek@reddit
I have nothing to offer but I learned a lot from reading your post, thanks.
Porsche cup cars have a separate ac run from an electric motor. https://www.instagram.com/p/DUqiKNDiiBq/
This makes me want to follow your lead for my track car.
DicemonkeyDrunk@reddit
My youtube viewing says a used Prius system is the hot ticket for a standalone electric ac system. More robust and better functionality than most aftermarket systems till you get to the really expensive ones.
juwyro@reddit
I'll have to look into that. I want to add AC to my car but can't fit a belt run compressor.
DrifterDavid@reddit (OP)
This is one of the kits I'm debating. https://a.co/d/0gCiZPzR
ForeskinForeman@reddit
Damn, that’s a great idea.
DrifterDavid@reddit (OP)
I have been debating going to an all electric compressor but right now I've still got the stock compressor working. Just trying to find out the lines. There are several aftermarket all electric compressors that would fit the bill if I wanted to go that route in the future. Couple years ago I converted to an electric steering rack to free up space under the hood as well for the turbo setup.
DrifterDavid@reddit (OP)
That's a good way to go too. Glad could help. Once I figure out what I'm gonna do I'll probably post some updates. Honestly making your own ac lines is pretty easy as well. I bought a 100 dollar tool to hydraulically crimp my lines and just bought the hose and fitting required to do it. Really was dead simple.
cheeseshcripes@reddit
Could you give me a lead on this company that makes the adapters and PTFE lines? I made all my own aluminum lines and one is giving me trouble to the point I want to try something else.
secretsHiddenLife@reddit
They do make steel fittings too. Thats all i have ever used
cheeseshcripes@reddit
Steel fitting with steel lines? Bubble flares or something?
I always wondered why AC lines are al, never considered just making them out of steel
secretsHiddenLife@reddit
Steel fittings on rubber hose. Wasn't really considering hard lines, those are al. Afaik.
DrifterDavid@reddit (OP)
So you can see where I have a horizontal dryer on it right now. I am trying to convert it to a more flexible style line so I can run the dryer underneath somewhere. Maybe up under the bumper somewhere. The way its configured now I couldn't really make it work. So I did what I could at the time. Now that the dryer ruptured though I've got a new condenser and the whole system is gonna have to come apart anyways. The dryer is on the left side just behind the passenger headlight.
Obvious-Dinner-1082@reddit
I’m in the planning stage of mine, mostly just rebuilding the stock setup in my car.
They build the car around the blower motor so I’ve been slacking on actually getting started.
DrifterDavid@reddit (OP)
You using something like vintage air system or one of the universal units? That def sounds interesting. I've always loved working with air conditioning systems. I've been a mechanic for many years and we are just getting into that time of the year too.
Obvious-Dinner-1082@reddit
Mine was stripped decades ago of its AC besides the old ducting and control levers. I sourced the original air boxes for $80 on marketplace. I found what I think is the condenser I can find to what vintage air uses but under a generic part number. Just like everyone else they source their parts from overseas.
I’m going to fix those up, throw them in, use the original evaporator, add the better condenser and make my own lines.
I’ve got to choose which sanden compressor I want to use, and find or make a custom bracket for it. I wanted to low mount it where my stock fuel pump was, but my lower radiator hose is in the way.
Then just vac it, and pump in some 134a.
Considering modeling up and 3d printing some custom ducting, and see if I can run it also to the rear seats, and maybe try running a duct to a cupholder (no idea if that will work but why not try lol).
It’s a 1980 Camaro to give a picture.
DrifterDavid@reddit (OP)
This is where I think I might make a major change like this myself. I've been doing some research on the beltless electric compressors. For about 300 dollars you can get the compressor, the fittings, and the controller. And sometimes even the condenser and tie it in pretty easy to your stock AC system. I've really been debating that. A 20cc compressor should be more than enough for either of our systems. And theroretically I could mount it in the trunk if I needed to.
Something like this. https://a.co/d/0gCiZPzR you could also go with a Prius one. But honestly I think this would probably be the easier route because apparently you need a controller to make the Prius one work as well. And with this one you already have the controller. I think it's for telling it what speed to spin the compressor vs what your engine rpm or load is. (At least what I'm assuming)
DrifterDavid@reddit (OP)
So also my second gig is working with a company that designs and builds trophy trucks. I've got quite a lot of experience with an lines. But we don't run ac systems on the trucks.
Cam_e_ron@reddit
built a system with a combo of aluminum hardlines and diy ptfe AN lines. hardest part was finding the conversion fittings but other than that its pretty straightforward. probably a good idea to find stuff rated at over 1000psi just to be safe.
DrifterDavid@reddit (OP)
Well that might be a bit overkill. In a normal system shouldn't see more than prolly 300psi. If you're clogged up you might see 350 but the high pressure sensor will likely kick off the compressor. I know the miata high pressure switch kicks in around 325-350 though and kills the compressor. I am pretty sure my ptfe lines are rated somewhere around 800psi should have plenty of overhead.
Cam_e_ron@reddit
I guess thats kinda what I mean. there are cheap AN fittings that are only rated for 100-300psi working pressure. I would atleast want a 2:1 safety factor considering many ac systems use flammable hydrocarbons.
DrifterDavid@reddit (OP)
Oh yea I think almost all of my a/n fittings are from either aeroquip or XRP I am almost positive they run a rating of 900psi on the fittings. But yea I could see someone using some cheap Amazon ones may have issues.
Oh_hey_a_TAA@reddit
We run PTFE an lines on a couple LS swap cars, no complaints other than cost - with too many adapters you're better off having lines made. Had most of it laying around
DrifterDavid@reddit (OP)
Ive got about 500 foot of 6,8, and 10 ptfe lined hose already and probably something like 200 fittings sitting around. So the materials aren't really the issue.
ILostMoney@reddit
I have custom AC in my LS swap 240sx. I have a Nostalgic Air condenser with the drier attached. I kept the stock 240sx evaporator. The 240sx lines I chopped off a little bit past the firewall. I bought a brazing kit and brazed standard AC line crimp fittings to the stock 240 lines. I did not see options for AN lines back when I did mine in 2013, but it sounds great if it works.
secretsHiddenLife@reddit
How did you purge the lines while brazing?
ILostMoney@reddit
I didn't run any back purge on them, the kit came with flux. I used a regular propane torch. The AC fittings I got were slip on fittings that went over the stock lines about an inch. I used the Super Alloy 5 kit. It's been about 13 years with no issues.
secretsHiddenLife@reddit
Ok. I always heard that the inside of the line would oxidize during brazing and contaminate the system if not nitrogen purged during brazing.
DrifterDavid@reddit (OP)
Yea you are supposed to back flow some nitrogen when braising ac lines. But I mean one or two prolly won't hurt.
ILostMoney@reddit
That may be true. I think I just followed the instructions on the brazing kit. If it would have suggested a purge I would have used it. I had an argon purge line on my tig bottle that I could have used.
87eebboo1@reddit
I’ve installed a few custom ac systems on old weird stuff, and with a beadlock crimping tool, the possibilities are pretty much endless. Now we also put aftermarket evap boxes into the cars, but as long as you get the right size fittings for the hoses you have, running new lines and tapping into existing lines wouldn’t be that hard. Compare measurements of your existing hose with standard and reduced barrier hoses to see what fittings you need, then go from there