Hi everyone,

So the thing about getting old is I do not like to drive my car and sweat; kind of ruins the driving experience. So... we want to consider adding AC. We are doing some work on the front of my car pretty darn soon and will be adding the larger PMS oil cooler to the front and opening the nose panel to allow more air to flow and exit the louvered trunk floor. Now you know why I had a bumper modified with the GT opening. I have the oil cooler, 2 Spalls fans and a digital thermostat already.

I was wondering if there is a AC condenser that would go in front of the oil cooler which is rectangular shaped and get sufficient cool air. Or, does the condenser need to go on the trunk floor and the Spal fans sit on top of that pushing air through the AC condenser- but that air would be warm/hot from the oil cooler, right? Would that even work?

Of course we would make a shroud to seal it all so the air is directed through the cooler/condenser and out of the trunk. Just trying to noodle this through. I really do not want to have multiple condensers around the car- 1 will do, I hope.

Let me know your thoughts. I hope to be chilling in my car come summer.

Cheers,
Michael

Michael, I've spoken with these guys recenty regarding a new condenser motor.

http://www.iceautoair.com/index.html

There are also more than a few a/c threads here on World.

Looking forward to hearing what you end up doing.

The condenser and evaporator is the easy part. What about the compressor? PMS cut a big hole in the firewall and installed a box behind the drivers seat to clear the compressor on there 3.6 builds. Which limited how far the drivers seat can go back. I installed a Griffiths condenser in front of a bigger CSF oil cooler. Similar to this one on Pelican. https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/9115...c=c&SVSVSI=
By installing a front condenser, it gives me room in the back for my benling compressor. I still need to finish installing everything. I got side tracked with Rennsport.Click to view attachment

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...amp;mode=linear

I hope this helps!

Best Bob B

I'm going to stack 2 modern thin condensers inside the original condenser housing.

This will not help you as you already have an oil cooler.

My first idea was to place two skinny, thin condensers inside a 916-clone fiberglass front cap. Google search showed many different skinny condensers that could have been modified to work.

These would all be custom fabrication.

I commonly have to straighten new condensers as they get twisted sometimes due to shipping.

I am positive I could curve a new condenser so it followed the curvature at the front of the car...
You can bend them far more than you might think without cracking them.

If you put a condenser into the oil cooler housing, put it in front of the oil cooler.

At speed the condenser does not overheat the charge air. Stopped it might have an effect but that is the time that the oil cooler is stressed the least.

The most effective condenser I've come across was a stacked core condenser in a 2016 Ford EcoBoost Explorer. It cooled a midsized SUV to 36 degrees on a 100+ day FAST!
Now, I had to replace it because Ford did not properly affix the front plastic air guides and a plastic guide rubbed a hole in it.
It's too wide for a 914 but it was damned effective.

I run an automotive AC specialist shop, this is what I do for a living...

Old Air Products has some of the nicest "custom" condensers I've run across.
I like these "Super Kool" pieces. They have many sizes.
https://www.oldairproducts.com/product/cond...overall-11-1624

I am pretty sure I want to go with an electric AC. Thanks for all the replies so far. This is a lot to take in.

Talk to Jonny at classic retrofit. He likes 914’s and had some ideas how to install. It’s been a while since I asked so he might have some solutions in the works. He suggested I put a condenser in the right quarter and then mount the electric compressor under the car, above the right axle. Lines would run up the right side long to the blower but could hidden behind the rocker panel. Minimal to no cutting into the body. No loss of trunk space.
The 914 cabin should be easier than a 911 to cool since it doesn’t have the large rear window collecting all the sun.

I have one going in my 67. It’s going to take a bit of fab since the SWB cars didn’t have a front blower like the later 911/914’s.

https://www.classicretrofit.com/en-us/colle...ir-conditioning

It’s possible these folks might have what you need.

They do sell their compressor and electronics separately. https://www.classicretrofit.com/en-us/colle...ressor-ecu-only
I would mount it in the front trunk. As fas as I know it uses the same DM18A7 compressor that I am using and the instructions say only mount it right side up. I am guessing you could hang it from the rear trunk?

Here is another way.

Click to view attachment

OK, this turns out to be a much bigger project than I envisioned. I am going to put a pin in this for now. I still want AC, and I am pretty sure it will be electric, but I do not have the energy to chase this all down right now. Thanks for all the information you guys provided; I am sure I will revisit this soon.

Can your electrical system keep up with the system's demands? The stock 914 charging system is not really made for current electrical needs. Especially if you add electric AC or heating to the car!

--DD

Michael has a 3.2 and the company that sells the electric a/c also sells a 170 amp alternator. The price stings the wallet a bit but it lets the system work to full capacity.

OMG! Yes, that alternator would definitely sting!

The 3.6 alternator should be fine, but yes i bought the above for my 3.2 to run my electric compressor. They also make one for the 2.7 fan shroud, that's what Keith is running in his car.

we have installed the new 914 aftermarket ac systems and they work very well. Even the 916 with oil cooler and condenser stacked one in front of the other work well. Ac in a 914 is great, but I would NEVER cut up a concours quality 914 to install it

No Kidding! I added A/C and it was a lot of work. Drilling out holes, wiring, welding up a custom top mount. Totally worth it here in Texas - so long as it keeps working