A/C removal?

[gbizzle27]

Just kinda brain storming here. If i removed the entire a/c system what kind of weight savings am i looking at, and also since its an accessary what kind of power increase am i looking at in conjunction with UDP's?

 

[MADDOG11]

Total weight reduction would be somewhere in the neighborhood of approx. 40-50lbs. However, as far as power the a/c only pulls power when engaged.

 

[scubasteve]

i have a 92 mtx and my ac compressor is shot is there any way to bypass that pulley or any way to leave the compressor in and just remove the pully or a shorter belt? im not a good mechanci at all i just need something cheep and easy. im low on funds i just replace the power steering pump and i went to the dealer for the part anyway any advice would be helpful thanks

 

[Fourcats]

I was having trouble with the A/C coming on {and the fan} due to...whatever {low refridgerant}.

We unpluged the "A/C cycling switch" and its done. It was located on the passenger side, near the radiator. If the bearings go out, that$ another $tory.

 

[CALL AAA]

The dryer alone is pretty heavy. But if you're thinking about pulling the compressor, don't do it, unless you have a bracket of some type to support the alternator. It looks tempting, though. You can gut it and get the little pistons out and take the pulley off, but I think you'll need a shorter belt to take up the slack. I don't remember if the tensioner will go that far down. (or was it up?)
The best advice I can give you is to wait until you are in a bad mood, THEN pull the A/C. It's great therapy, and good destructive fun. Get the little A/C line disconnectors (careful, IIRC they have them for different makes) and a hacksaw and a set of *****.
If you get a chance, can you weigh everything you pull out. I'm wondering what the total weight is. Even 40 might be a bit optamistic, but that stuff is pretty heavy.
Have fun!

 

[scubasteve]

does anyone know what size belt to put on a 92 sho mtx if you remove the a/c compressor or where i can find that size?

 

[Jonny Cash]

does anyone know what size belt to put on a 92 sho mtx if you remove the a/c compressor or where i can find that size?

Take a flexible measuring tape, tape one side to a pulley, choose your new belts route, and measure....

Ive been thinking about doing this also, but I never thought about the tensioner not coming up far enough to stress a shorter belt. Anyone succesfully remove the compressor before?

 

[shomesomesho]

Gutted A/C with shorter belt.. with my underdrive pulleys I needed 39.5" belt.

The gutted compressor weighs about 2 lbs. (aluminum).

 

[93superSHO]

For stock pulley's IIRC it is NAPA/GATES K060408 or 42'' 6-rib. Do what shomesomesho did and leave the comp. housing mounted( it is for bracket strength).

 

[CALL AAA]

The compressor supports the alternator, right? I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to make a bracket to take its place, though.

 

[scubasteve]

yea thanks for all the help i love my sho but i didnt think i could affort that repair at this time the compressor got so bad it started to sieze up so i will have fun gutting the compressor taday! once again thanks for the help

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

The compressor supports the alternator, right? I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to make a bracket to take its place, though.

The cormpressor also supports the motor mount mounting brace.

You need a very beefy bracket to take its place. And if the gutted compressor only weighs 2 lbs...... just stick with the compressor.

Edit:

Here is my fab'd "AC-delete peice.

 

[Fourcats]

Great photos....

 

[Mac]

So, to remove the AC, you can gut the compressor, remove condensor, and what else?

 

[shomesomesho]

So, to remove the AC, you can gut the compressor, remove condensor, and what else?

Remove the a/c core (condensor) that is located in front of the radiator. (It looks similar to a radiator, but it doesn't have the big fat radiator hoses going in and out.)

And yank out the hoses going back and forth between all the AC components.

Not only will the front end be a little lighter, but the engine compartment will look a little less cluttered.

Oh.. and if you really, really want to be thorough and remove another 5 lbs., and have wayyyy too much time on your hands, and you have very, very, VERY good coping skills (i.e. you handle frustration effectively), you can go ahead remove the AC evaporator core located right next to the heater core (good luck, LOL :corn: ).

 

[Mac]

"All the A/C components" People were talking wbout a dryer earlier in the thread-what is that and where is it? Is it bad to let the refridgerant into the atmosphere? Could you make a list of things to remove?

 

[scubasteve]

the pics helped alot it made the job alot easier thanks for all your help its nice to hear just the motor once again and it sounds nice and healthy love that sound

 

[CALL AAA]

To be responsible, take it to a shop and have them suck the freon out of the lines. Then take it home and cut it up.
The dryer is the ********* tank-looking thing. It comes out fairly easily with a hacksaw. Don't bother being gentle, but make sure you cut the right parts out. Follow the A/C lines, and remove only the things into which the lines run. Then remove the lines.

 

[Mac]

Last night, inspired by this thread, I ripped out my A/C. I have all the lines, condensor, and the tank thing out, but how do I take the compressor pulley off?

 

[Mac]

Everything is off now, and the compressor is gutted. I haven't weighed everything, but from picking it all up, I would guess around 30lbs.