Your Thoughts On A/C Removal?

[apkarian100]

So last week, I installed a lightweight crank pulley and alt pulley, and accidentally broke the A/C tensioner, while replacing the A/C at the same time. For a week, I was driving around without the A/C hooked up and I had noticeable improvement from the lightweight pulleys. I could accelerate in different rpm ranges where I definitely couldn't before.

So a couple days ago, I got the part to fix the A/C tensioner, and slipped the belt back on, and now driving around, I seemed to have lost that now power I got just from the pulleys, and it makes me sad. :( I'm thinking of just pulling the whole A/C system out, or just closing it off where the pipes meet the firewall, because honestly, I don't ever use A/C. I'm more of an all windows open type of person. Then I could shed some weight, not that 25-40 lbs makes too much of a difference, and get my power back when I was only running one belt.

What do you guys think of this? Any thoughts?

Thank You

[Nate8409]

Remove it. I did on my old car before the STi and it was well worth it. It may not be a ton of weight but it is being removes from the right place and the lack of that belt being on there as well.

[Comanche]

remove it, thats what i plan on doing on the next impreza haha, take it to a shop and get the system recovered, then you can unbolt and remove everything and seal it up at the firewall and be done with it.......after all you have a sunroof right?? :P

[Gearhead Geek]

While I would vote for removing it, consider this: defroster's SUCK at clearing up fogged up windows without AC. Hence the reason all new cars turn on the AC with the defroster, and on many, you can't disable it. Also consider that the default position for the HVAC system in most cars is defroster w/AC on (incase of system control failure). It's a safety thing.
That being said, if it's not on a dd, this really doesn't matter. For a dd, it's definitely something to take into consideration.
Personally, I'd love to rip mine out, but there's no way I would on my car (while it's a dd). No sunroof + late NE summers = hell without AC in my opinion.

[Seraphinwolf]

It's a debatable delete. All a matter of how much you like having the AC. I might delete it on my wagon but the SVX is keeping it. It's the comfy car(ignore the coilovers with that statement) and I try to keep all the comfort.

[ValuePack]

RS coupe or sedan?

A coupe, I'd keep it until something expensive breaks, strictly as getting hot air out of one isn't as easy with only two windows.

Sedan, strip it out.

I pulled it from my beater '93 Legacy, lost 34lbs. from the nose, and it really was noticeably lighter on it's feet.

[apkarian100]

I have a RS sedan, and it has a sun roof. I got plenty of cooling action going on. My A/C isn't working too well at the moment anyways; might be a leak in the system. My A/C also doesn't go on when I use the defroster.

It seems to me my current A/C is pretty useless.

[bratman18]

When I had my 2000 RS, the A/C did come on with the defrost. Other than that, I never used it

[apkarian100]

Oh, I didn't know that. I'd figure my A/C light would turn on when it did, but the A/C light doesn't turn on. What does this mean?When I had my 2000 RS, the A/C did come on with the defrost. Other than that, I never used it

[Bu11dogg2]

I use my AC more than I use my AWD.

It's not just for cooling the car, it defogs the windshield and de-ices it faster.

Your butt dyno probably says 10WHP when in all actuality it's probably one or two WHP

[apkarian100]

Sigh......I guess I'll keep it.........but I think I should probably recharge it or find the leak, if there is one.

[inski]

I agree. Keep it. It helps a ton with de-fogging the inside of the windshield.

If you charge it add some AC dye. It will help pin-point any leaks. Under a black light (and the special yellow goggles) it will show up as a brilliant yellow color.

[apkarian100]

Sweet. Thanks for the help.

[legacygt]

So last week, I installed a lightweight crank pulley and alt pulley, and accidentally broke the A/C tensioner, while replacing the A/C at the same time. For a week, I was driving around without the A/C hooked up and I had noticeable improvement from the lightweight pulleys. I could accelerate in different rpm ranges where I definitely couldn't before.

So a couple days ago, I got the part to fix the A/C tensioner, and slipped the belt back on, and now driving around, I seemed to have lost that now power I got just from the pulleys, and it makes me sad. :( I'm thinking of just pulling the whole A/C system out, or just closing it off where the pipes meet the firewall, because honestly, I don't ever use A/C. I'm more of an all windows open type of person. Then I could shed some weight, not that 25-40 lbs makes too much of a difference, and get my power back when I was only running one belt.

What do you guys think of this? Any thoughts?

Thank You


ive been told from several credible sources including (Dentsport Garage)that switching to a light weight crank pully can over load the oil pump or put excesive strain on it causing enigne failure. That and there made out of cheap metal. Also note when you defrost your window you use the A/C for that. Other than that you could see some power increase. If your going to do that, you might as well get rid of the power steering pump too. That will save you some more weight.

[Jaketips42]

Off with the AC. The radiator with cool better without a fellow condensor in front of it. You get to run one acc. belt. Under the hood looks more clean to me. You can also rid of the AC cooling fan. And give your car an instant diet. Saves on fuel...... ;)

[98Wagoon]

ive been told from several credible sources including (Dentsport Garage)that switching to a light weight crank pully can over load the oil pump or put excesive strain on it causing enigne failure. That and there made out of cheap metal. Also note when you defrost your window you use the A/C for that. Other than that you could see some power increase. If your going to do that, you might as well get rid of the power steering pump too. That will save you some more weight.


thats the exact opposite of everything I read for the few months before I got mine..? and anodized aluminum and billet arent exactly "cheap"? I dunno. Ive just never read that... maybe they were referring to underdrive pulleys?



as for ac delete, Im thinking about just cutting my belt. damn thing hasnt been working lately anyway..

[apkarian100]

Might belt has been off the AC for a while, mainly because I feel my AC compressor is about to seize on me. Other than that, I noticed a tiny bit of power from the AC belt delete. I mean, if you have a NA engine and are looking for any way to get a tiny bit of power, the AC belt delete will do it, do don't expect gains like what cams or a full intake/exhaust setup will do. I just got another AC compressor, so my belt will go back on soon.

As for excess stress on the oil pump, I have yet to run into that issue with oil pump failure. I've been running a lightweight aluminum crack and alternator pulley for about 4 months and no issues here.thats the exact opposite of everything I read for the few months before I got mine..? and anodized aluminum and billet arent exactly "cheap"? I dunno. Ive just never read that... maybe they were referring to underdrive pulleys?



as for ac delete, Im thinking about just cutting my belt. damn thing hasnt been working lately anyway..

[squeethebee]

Just gotta take my A/C fan out and the entire delete will be done in my wagon!

ed

[Psychoreo]

My ac line has a hole in it........

[wrxtuner82]

I use my AC more than I use my AWD.

It's not just for cooling the car, it defogs the windshield and de-ices it faster.

Your butt dyno probably says 10WHP when in all actuality it's probably one or two WHP

De ices???

[98Wagoon]

I always thought my defroster defrosted the window..?

[wrxtuner82]

That's what I'm sayin, I'm not bein a dick, just curious if this is accurate, never heard of de-icing a windshield with an A/C?

[squeethebee]

Front windsheild. The wires in the glass do the back.

ed

[wrxtuner82]

No, yeah, I got that much, I know about the wires in the rear, but using an A/C to de-ice the front? I'm confused?

[98Wagoon]

:iam:


I have no idea.

[squeethebee]

You are just blowing heat at the windshield, the A/C is just drying out the condensation on the inside. Whenever you push the defog button the A/C kicks on.

ed

[Seraphinwolf]

^This. Hence the snipped wire mod on GD's. It let's you turn on the defroster but not the AC compressor till you hint the AC button. FTMFW!

[Seraphinwolf]

BTW
http://www.tougetuning.com/store/group-subaru-lightweight-power-steering-pulley-p-867.html?cPath=24

[squeethebee]

What does that have to do with A/C?

ed

[Seraphinwolf]

Whoops. Hadn't looked at it in a few days. Was thinking it was the AC notnthe PS.

[apkarian100]

I might get one of those, although, when I compared the weight of the stock PS pump pulley to the lightweight aluminum one I go (that didn't fit, wrong spline count), the weight difference weren't that significant.BTW
http://www.tougetuning.com/store/group-subaru-lightweight-power-steering-pulley-p-867.html?cPath=24

[Seraphinwolf]

Weren't very or as significant? Cause 5.8ozs is a LOT to just kinda make disappear.

[boxer3maine]

a/c is a dehumidifier. moisture is frost...

can you build a bridge to reason why the a/c helps defrost the windshield?
I may miss that the most having no a/c at all.

it also gathers any strangeness coming through the vents, the dehumidfying is cool, and grabs gasses...
this stops alot of headaches..literally and figuratively, in relation to the car and you.

if you have a/c... you be lucky.

the lightweight pulley argument.. I would not go any lighter on anyhting subaru ever built.. not even the wheels.
the engine dies with a balanced weight? I'd be attacking the engine to be a little tighter. not making it lighter.. it seems a ricer syndrome bowing down to another error...going weak instead of strong.

[wrxtuner82]

a/c is a dehumidifier. moisture is frost...

can you build a bridge to reason why the a/c helps defrost the windshield?
I may miss that the most having no a/c at all.

it also gathers any strangeness coming through the vents, the dehumidfying is cool, and grabs gasses...
this stops alot of headaches..literally and figuratively, in relation to the car and you.

if you have a/c... you be lucky.

the lightweight pulley argument.. I would not go any lighter on anyhting subaru ever built.. not even the wheels.
the engine dies with a balanced weight? I'd be attacking the engine to be a little tighter. not making it lighter.. it seems a ricer syndrome bowing down to another error...going weak instead of strong.


^This is the mad scientist.....he'll be replacing the piston rings I blow

[Seraphinwolf]

^This is the mad scientist.....he'll be replacing the piston rings I Fry

Fixed it.
I still don't agree with reducing the rotational mass being as bad for the engine as he is implying. But once you get into building a motor it doesn't matter cause whatever factory "balance" the engine held as he would see it is gone anyways. So I'm in the clear anyway I look at it.
Subaru boxer engines are well balance due to the configuration and aren't ceceptable as most other engines to being "thrown off".

[squeethebee]

Only thing I DON'T like about A/C removal is the gaping wholes left around your bay...

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n282/squeethebee/103_5970.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n282/squeethebee/103_5972.jpg

ed

[squeethebee]

Actually, that missing fan is kinda nice. But the gap from the compressor sucks.

ed

[Seraphinwolf]

Don't worry when you rotate the manifold and relocate the Alt you'll feel better. Presuming you are planning such a thing for the future

[squeethebee]

Nope.

ed

[Jaketips42]

Function over form folks!

[98Wagoon]

after feeling how ice ****ing cold my ac still blows the last few days I retract my previous statement of not needing/wanting it. :lol:

[apkarian100]

Been riding around with all windows open. I love it. I still don't need A/C. Now I need to decide if I want to take it out.

[RCKSTR]

Don't worry when you rotate the manifold and relocate the Alt you'll feel better. Presuming you are planning such a thing for the future


I didn't need to do that when I did mine last time :) and that whole where it used to be was filled by my custom coolant overflow when I was reversed :cool:

[RCKSTR]

Been riding around with all windows open. I love it. I still don't need A/C. Now I need to decide if I want to take it out.


mines been out for years now, only time I get real hot is when I'm sitting in traffic. besides that I'm good

[tehsbean]

Been riding around with all windows open. I love it. I still don't need A/C. Now I need to decide if I want to take it out.
I don't have (working) A/C on either of my cars.

I need to figure out the issue. On the RS, if it just needs a charge, I'll probably keep it. If it needs more -- away it goes. I really want some A/C in the Legacy at least, though. :(

[98Wagoon]

Been riding around with all windows open. I love it. I still don't need A/C. Now I need to decide if I want to take it out.


yr also the size of my left leg :unamused:







:lol:

[im_so_blue]

after feeling how ice ****ing cold my ac still blows the last few days I retract my previous statement of not needing/wanting it. :lol:

i did that monday got the inside so nice and frosty.. when i got out it felt like i just walked out of a walk in freezer :lol:

[Soul Shinobi]

I prefer to keep it for the summer and defogging in the winter. However I did remove it in my old 92 Legacy and weighed the removed parts. 29 lbs if you leave the evaporator box in place. It's from the nose of the car so handling was slightly better, and it was a little peppier without the belt on. Just barely noticeable gains to the average guy, but noticeable none the less.

[squeethebee]

Still not missing mine!

ed

[ruhrohh]

similar thing happened to me 2 weeks ago. my AC belt tensioner broke. so basically i just said ***** it and ripped out the AC belt. i personally couldnt care less since i dont use the AC even during the summer unless im driving one of my parents cars or my other beater which is very rare. you can live without it. roll windows down in the summer :D

[SCGT]

I love my a/c. I use it pretty much all the time, and the defrost factor definitely has merit. Most of us who mod have started (if not completely arrived at) making the car worthless to anyone but an enthusiast in the event you want to sell it. Personally, I'd do quite a few engine mods before taking out the a/c, seems not worth the sacrifice in a DD.

[Seraphinwolf]

Well a lot of people simply just unhook the belt for the basic gains. that leaves everything else perfectly intact for reinstating the "working AC" listing if they go to sell.

[Berge56]

I love my a/c. I use it pretty much all the time, and the defrost factor definitely has merit. Most of us who mod have started (if not completely arrived at) making the car worthless to anyone but an enthusiast in the event you want to sell it. Personally, I'd do quite a few engine mods before taking out the a/c, seems not worth the sacrifice in a DD.

This! For a DD leave the A/C in the car.

[Soul Shinobi]

Well a lot of people simply just unhook the belt for the basic gains. that leaves everything else perfectly intact for reinstating the "working AC" listing if they go to sell.

I was thinking of doing that, but don't forget you should run the AC compressor once a season regardless. There's oil in with the refrigerant that lubricates the valves and the compressor, and leaving the belt off for several years can lead to a seized compressor (or minor oxidation that can lead to poorer system performance).

[boxer3maine]

I love my a/c. I use it pretty much all the time, and the defrost factor definitely has merit. Most of us who mod have started (if not completely arrived at) making the car worthless to anyone but an enthusiast in the event you want to sell it. Personally, I'd do quite a few engine mods before taking out the a/c, seems not worth the sacrifice in a DD.

I still ponder one of those 3cyl cars that came with a/c... using the tiny compressor.

an option I keep forgetting: do whatever you want.