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Sadly, it won't happen. The AC controls in our cars are essentially on-off. Whereas the AC in new stuff is more a case of variable displacement compressors giving infinitely variable output. -
By soviet_merlin · Posted
I don't think anyone did. But it still made me consider. For me personally it wasn't clear whether the AC experience in my car was shit because it is an old system, or because it wasn't maintained. Looks like it may have just been the latter. I see some more modern setup being sold as an upgrade and I wonder whether it would make it drive like AC in a modern car. Where you don't really hear it or notice it. But maybe that's asking for too much as well. Haha, stick it in a Nissan Cube and you end up with a driveable fridge I'm not doubting your experience. Just thought it was interesting to hear the AC technician's thoughts on it. -
Guess I should be hunting down one of these big ol ford units then for max flow .... I've had fresh gas in mine and it was never as cold as it is now . The compressor could have been trash though, like I said I am one example with a bunch of unknowns. -
I don't know if anyone was seriously suggesting a retrofit of an Echo compressor in place of a more-or-less working original comp. You'd have to change the hoses at the bare minimum to do so, and that will definitely add significant cost. I had to get my hoses modded when I did the engine transplant and chose to use the Neo's AC over the even older R32 comp. That was startlingly more expensive than expected for what looks like a simple welding job, and a massive pain in the arse when it turned to have a pinhole leak in the weld too. The Frenchie's kit is for people who have next to nothing of the original system or have more than that but some of it is a bit shit and better off thrown away than salvaged. If you've got 90% of the system, you just patch it up. Mine is currently degassed because it apparently has a big leak somewhere. If I find it is the compressor, I will be looking to take my spare comp to a shop to assess and/or recondition, rather than contemplating a retrofit to anything off-brand.
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By soviet_merlin · Posted
I went and got the aircon regassed in the Stagea today and asked the guy about the upgrade to the Toyota Echo compressor. He was saying it is likely not going to be as good. It is newer but smaller and not going to pump as strongly. And it would be better to try and get a new OEM compressor. He was saying that the improvements people are seeing may be more likely due to regassing the system. I thought it was interesting to hear. Going by the sticker the system in my car was last checked in 2015. Gas was at 50% which is apparently beyond terrible. Under 80% is where efficiency already falls apart. Anyways, with fresh gas the AC is now bloody freezing. I think it may be working a bit less hard as well. I need to drive it a bit more to try it properly. Previously on hill starts it would utterly bog down the car. I'm hoping this is a bit better now. The frenchies kit looks great, but $1400 for the compressor upgrade alone makes it a bit of commitment. Very much so compared to a $150 regas.
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