New owner questions, New owner questions Options

[Mr.Vman]

1976 914 2.0, MPC D Jetronic fuel injection California car. Questions:
To add the center three gauge console. Car has the, DPD AC. Does the console have to be cut down to clear the AC duct? Is there a special upper bracket to mount console to instrument panel. Is there a bracket to console to tunnel?
Will non Porsche VDO gauges work with Porsche sending units? Like oil temperature, oil pressure? There is wire harness that can be bought for adding a gauge console, is the wiring already under the instrument panel?
DPD AC; Is there a bracket available to mount a Sanden AC compressor instead of the old two cylinder York or Techumseh compressor? The front, in the nose AC condensor. With a retrofit to, 134 refrigerant, does the AC condenser need to be upgraded to a modern condenser? I assume replace the AC hoses? Is there a kit out there for a compressor mount and condenser replacement?
Where does the distributor vacuum advance hose attach too? Under the throttle body? Is there only a vacuum hose on retard side of the distributor? No hose on the vacuum advance side (front of distributor)?
This will be a good start, thank you in advance, Steve V.

[technicalninja]

I can comment regarding the AC...
I run an Automotive AC specialist shop in N. Texas

https://granburyautoac.com/

No kits available directly for the 914, there is some stuff available for the type4 in other VW vehicles.

Real Sandens are good compressors and not expensive.
95% of the stuff available is Sanden "style" and is not worth installing.
Make sure it's real Sanden.
IF "American" Sanden is available buy that. Sanden does make compressors in China now. I will use a Chinese Sanden if nothing else is available. The price difference is usually $20-$30 more for the American stuff.

I don't use ANY other Chinese compressor at all...

Vintage Air, Old Air Products, and Ranshu are my normal sources for this stuff.

https://vintageair.com/

https://www.oldairproducts.com/?srsltid=Afm...Eof22BscNBggHh8

https://www.ranshu.com/

Vintage Air is high level. Their "kits" are the best in the business. Calls to them are answered by a "car guy".

Old Air products. High to mid-level. Lots of reproductions on original stuff. They make their own condensers, and I use them OVER any aftermarket condenser. Their condesnsers kick ass!

Ranshu is "piece together only" but has a HUGE database of stuff they can get. When you want to mix and match these are the guys.
Ranshu can supply "White Box" new compressors. These are FACTORY compressors in a plain white box at 33% cost.
I ALMOST think they are stealing them off of the assembly line...
Excellent source for newer cars.

Need barrier hose.
https://coldhose.com/?gad_source=1&gcli...ASAAEgIhh_D_BwE

Upgrade to "reduced barrier" and use steel fittings.

The 914 stock condenser location is poor. It doesn't have enough fan and flow for R134.
It really didn't work great with R12 either.

I was going to try stacked dual condensers and larger fans but have decided to go water-cooled anyway and the radiator mod gives adequate room for a nice sized front mounted condenser.

Another member suggested two condensers, one in the back and the normal one in the front. This idea has merit.

I still do R12 work and if you can find "me" close to you, you are COMPLETELY legal to use R12 in your system. R12 will work better than R134 for a stock condenser location.

I would not re-use the original condenser. Get a modern condenser from Old Air Products. The modern "flat fin" multi-pass condenser has about 60% more heat rejection capabilities than the old "serpentine" style with round tubes the size of pencils. The refrigerant paths through the new condensers are TINY and get the refrigerant very close to the aluminum and that actually works far better.