Wedge TR8 Air Conditioner Removal Pros/Cons

[SCguy]

Yesterday I installed a new aluminum radiator from Woodie's. It became apparent why my TR8 might run hot with the air conditioner placed right in front of the radiator. So I'm considering removing the air conditioning (which works and has been converted from freon). On the pro side of removing it is that its large, heavy, blocks access to the engine compartment, blockes air flow to the radiator. On the con side is, it works, was original as was most of my car before I got it.

How easy is it to remove and how? (I wish I asked this question <u>before</u> I tried to install my radiator.) Can anyone convince me that I should leave it alone?

 

[RonMacPherson]

Is yours a fixed head or open air? If fixed head, consider leaving the air in. As long as there is good air flow past the condensor and radiator(electric fan(s). There is not really that much affect on a clean system. But you get cooler, less humid air when you want it. Course if you have an evaporator, compressor, or condensor leaking, it might be less expensive and a hassle to remove them.

Now if you have an open air car, I wouldn't think twice about removing the a/c, except for possible resale in the future. At the least hang onto the components to give the next purchaser

 

[tdskip]

Think it will still run hot with the A/C in place but the new radiator?

 

[DNK]

Larry- I removed mine last month,remember.Pretty easy. Still don't have the hole plugged where the hose goes thru the bulk head. Go to Lowes or HD after and get brass plugs for the inlets on the bulkhead and inside. I also got 2 for the condenser while it is packed away. On the compressor bracket there are 2 long bolts that go into water jackets. I replaced the existing ones with stainless steel and put some sealer on the threads.One thing I did find out when I did this. I could see my power steering pump and noticed how warped the pulley or bad the bearings where. the A/C compressor kind of blocked the view before.

 

[Guest]

Resale, resale, resale. If the car came with AC and it works, you will vastly (well, maybe not vastly) reduce resale by bastardizing it. Especially if it was meant to be AC'd.

 

[Hasbeen]

We were Having trouble keeping our 8 cool.

It has a 2002 model Range Rover 4.6L in it, with Steel crank & rods, high com pistons [10.6:1], etc. It was a full race motor, detuned with a mild cam, & plenum, to 280 BHP, for road use.

We did all the usual things, but still had problems in heavy traffic, so we removed the air con. No change.

We then replaced the stock sump with a 6.5 liter winged job, & fitted a largish engine oil cooler.
Now, with the air back on, we can handle 100F traffic jams no problem.

In our climate, in northern Australia, that air is worth its weight in gold. Its realy too hot, to go topless in summer, in daylight. Here we take the roof off after dark, & get a "moon burn".

Phil.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif

With Bill and Phil. Mine came with A/C, and in my restoration, I put it all back on. These cars are not your typical LBC's - more of a tourer. On long drives, you're more likely to get stuck in traffic somewhere, and having the sun fry you while you're already ticked off for being delayed is not a fun thing!

However, if you do remove it, be sure to do so in order that it can be reinstalled down the road - by the new owner, but, more importantly, by you when you decide you wanted it operational after all! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

Oh, and when I put mine back in, it didn't change the running temps at all.

Mickey

 

[tr8todd]

The obvious reasons for removing the AC is more weight savings up front as well as increased cooling capacity. Woody sells two different aluminum rads. The one for cars with no AC is thicker than the ones for cars with AC. In order to remove the compressor, you will need to remove the crank pulley to get at one of the bolts. That means you will have to remove the rad again to get at the crank pulley retaining bolt. Here in Massachusetts, there really isn't much call for AC in a convertible, so most of the AC systems have been removed. It hasn't affected resale values at all as far as I have seen. In fact, you could probably sell off the pieces and add money to the bottom line if you wanted to sell. The last system I removed, is complete sitting in a couple of boxes in my basement, along with the stock manifolds, air pump, heat shields, and the rest of the go slow parts. You would be amazed at how much weight there is to remove from the front of a TR8. My car started out at 2550 pounds. It should end up around 2200 pounds if I keep the stock bumpers, and 2100 if I go with the fiberglass ones I've used in the past.

 

[Geo Hahn]

...in northern Australia, that air is worth its weight in gold...

Or in Arizona, its weight in platinum. I would agree removing the A/C will reduce the resale value or at least the marketablity of the car down the road -- but possibly this is not a concern.

 

[chrisc]

I've been debating the same the same issue. My car has a cracked condenser (according to the prior owner). The compressor looks to be toast also.

I'm likely to leave it on but disconnected, until I can diagnose and repair the system fully. I know there will be days I'll appreciate it in humid South Texas.

Chris

 

[DNK]

In order to remove the compressor, you will need to remove the crank pulley to get at one of the bolts.

Interesting,on mine I didn't have to.

 

[foxtrapper]

All a/c evaporators sit in front of the radiator. They don't block air flow very much. With the a/c running, they do create warm air going through the radiator, which can sometimes cause overheating of the engine.

The weight gain from removing the system isn't much. A hundred pounds at the best, and that's being overly optimistic. More typically in the 50 lb range. You don't notice a performance gain with that little weight reduction.

The benefits of being able to turn the a/c on when it's stinking hot is very valuable in my opinion. But I do live in a hot humid climate. If you live in more comfortable conditions, you can do without it more easily.

 

[tr8todd]

I probably should have said that in order to remove the compressor bracket, you have to remove the crank pulley. It is a pretty substantial piece if you are looking for weight reduction. You know what? It just dawned on me. I'm an idiot. I'm thinking of the power steering pump and bracket. It's been so long since I've had a cluttered up engine bay. I guess I should just shut off the computer, go out to the garage, and start work on that new roll cage in the BMW.

 

[DNK]

It's not the weight as it is the extra uhmmf it takes to spin the compressor. Every time I turn on the compressor in my Astro I can feel it kick in,specially at highway speeds.