35 Years Later: VPC or DPD A/C? Options

[Roy]

Hiya fellas, I've got the unique opportunity of having two parts cars both with full A/C. One car has the VPC system and the other a DPD. Both systems look ok but I will likely send them out for refurbishment. So overall I'm wondering which system to go with? This will be in to a '73 2.0. I don't mind cutting up the car to fit the system as I will go about it much more gingerly than the dealers originally did and I will make sure to rust-proof my cuts. Are the differences mostly aesthetic? Does one system give more luggage space than the other? Does one cool better? Does one have a nicer install or require less cutting? Is one more 'correct' for a '73? This is not a question of whether I should or should not. My mind is made up and I have read enough posts to know that when in good working condition a 914 A/C system can make my girlfriend's important bits look 'perky' so please don't try to dissuade me. I am aware of the high horsepower consumption of the system and the availability of newer, more modern systems. I want a period correct, close to stock A/C system with the least possible modern upgrades for usefulness. A/C enthusiasts please reply!

[charliew]

I'm not sure which under dash unit I have but a sticker on the inside says Ft. Worth, TX. When I got it I took it apart to clean it up and found the sticker loose in the bottom. Once I got it apart I found the temp control switch had the cover removed and the adjustment screws have been turned. The cover is missing so I thought I would get a replacement switch but it has a square shaft for the knob and so far I haven't found that type of switch. I might be able to put the original knob on the d shaped shaft of the replacement I found but it will require a little shadetree engineering. I may try to check the switch with a meter. It should open the circuit to the compressor at 33 degrees I guess to keep the evaporator from freezing up. Replacement parts for these aftermarket units may be interesting.

I may have gotten lucky the other day. I went to a local tube and fitting supplier for some hydraulic fittings and the counterman is a old vw ac man and he remembers a lot about the dealer addon ac stuff. He said he thought the dpd was made in Ft. Worth. I realize the vw is not a 914 but I have a 72 super beetle with ac and it's very similiar to the 914. The 914 type 4 has a lot better mounting design for the compressor than the bug though.