Need AC Compressor for R32

[Zabuza]

 Hey all , I am in the process of having the AC system in my r32 GTST converted from r12 to r134a and I’m being told my compressor has gone bad and I will need a new one. I was wondering if anybody has any suggestions for what is the best route to go aside from dropping $1500 on a new oem one? I did see that Frenchy’s performance garage offers a kit to mount a Toyota compressor, has anybody actually used this kit on their car? Or is there anywhere I could purchase just a clutch? Any help is appreciated.

[GTSBoy]

The Frenchy's kit is the way to go forward. A modern compressor that weighs about 1/2 as much, is at least twice as efficient, and will do a good job on R134a. And of course the kit has everything else you need to connect it up and have it work properly.

[Zabuza]

I’m thinking that’s the route I’ll  go, thanks for the input!

[GTSBoy]

OK, just for some extra clarity - there is more than one option at Frenchy's.

1. You can buy the whole kit - with or without the actual compressor. The whole kit includes mounts, hoses, condensor, etc. That's either ~$2200 or ~$2800. No surgery required with this option.

2. You can buy just the bracket (~$600), or the bracket with the compressor (~$1200). Either of this or the above option "without the compressor" is if you already have an Echo comp or you are able to source one locally. Whatever the case, in this option, you will need surgery done on your hoses to adapt to the new compressor.

When I said "the Frenchy's kit", I meant the whole kit in option 1. It is obviously somewhat more $$ than a $1500 OEM compressor. But if I had to spend $1500 on an OEM compressor, I would certainly consider spending double that to renew and significantly update everything forward of the firewall.

Another option is to rebuild your original compressor. My R34 comp is currently dead and I will be most likely doing that to it if the spare one in the shed is also leaky.

[soviet_merlin]

Out of curiosity, what's the reason for converting?

I think @R3N3 might have the Frenchy's kit in the R33? I somehow think of you as the ambassador for realistic and clean street-driven setups nowadays  

[GTSBoy]

15 minutes ago, soviet_merlin said:

Out of curiosity, what's the reason for converting?

R12 has not been not available for....decades now. Propane is not a great replacement. (I mean, it's a great replacement, but it is a bit too flammable). R134a being the only way to go forward with an R12 system. The design pressures etc, are close enough to R12's to work. The ability to move heat around is close enough to R12's to work.

[Zabuza]

Ok glad you clarified on the frenchy’s options , I was worried about if my oem hoses would fit the new compressor or not if I just bought the bracket/compressor kit ,  didn’t realize they also sold a larger full conversion kit. Hmm may just go oem in that case then to make it easy only because I plan to sell this car to upgrade to a 32 GTR or 34 GTT.

[joshuaho96]

18 hours ago, GTSBoy said:

R12 has not been not available for....decades now. Propane is not a great replacement. (I mean, it's a great replacement, but it is a bit too flammable). R134a being the only way to go forward with an R12 system. The design pressures etc, are close enough to R12's to work. The ability to move heat around is close enough to R12's to work.

R12 is probably still out there somewhere, at some ridiculous price. eBay also banned the sale of these older refrigerants on their platform so it's harder to connect to a seller now. 

[Ozdavroz]

Can you covert an R32's AC from r12 to r134 if the compressor/hoses etc are still all good?

Pretty sure on my car the AC was degassed when it was imported  to remove the naughty r12 and save the ozone layer, and the fancy climate control system just blew air around. Was happy to drive the car with windows down back then, but now I am old and need to be kept cool

[GTSBoy]

Yes. Needs new ports. Usually just achieved by screwing an adapter onto them.

Be aware that any AC compressor that hasn't been used in a long time will very likely have dried out seals and will not hold gas.

Oh, and obviously you will require a new receiver-dryer also.

[PLYNX]

Bit off topic maybe but has anyone had a crack at one of those aftermarket electric compressors ?

Bit of a search came up with one put out by Speedy Air Spares.

Looks interesting and looks as if you'd have to run a big arse alternator.

Found this out after the fact as my air con compressor packed it in and soon after my alternator ! !

[GTSBoy]

No. Have only gotten as far as contemplating the task of having to put in the required fairly heavy wiring and fusing to run it (along with the big alternator), and preferring not to. But otherwise, it would be nice to have a little extra freedom as to exactly where the compressor is located and free up some space around the exhaust side of the engine.

[Butters]

Can recommend the Frenchys kit, been using it 2 years now with no issue, very happy with it.  Only thing for me was upgrading the thermo fan but I am super fussy on cooling.

 

Also interested in electric AC, partly for boot mount to have a clean bay and partly would love the idea of cooling off the car before i get in. The battery setup to do that might be tricky / expensive though.  Found this an interesting watch.

 

 

[silviaz]

On 2/26/2025 at 3:25 PM, GTSBoy said:

OK, just for some extra clarity - there is more than one option at Frenchy's.

1. You can buy the whole kit - with or without the actual compressor. The whole kit includes mounts, hoses, condensor, etc. That's either ~$2200 or ~$2800. No surgery required with this option.

2. You can buy just the bracket (~$600), or the bracket with the compressor (~$1200). Either of this or the above option "without the compressor" is if you already have an Echo comp or you are able to source one locally. Whatever the case, in this option, you will need surgery done on your hoses to adapt to the new compressor.

When I said "the Frenchy's kit", I meant the whole kit in option 1. It is obviously somewhat more $$ than a $1500 OEM compressor. But if I had to spend $1500 on an OEM compressor, I would certainly consider spending double that to renew and significantly update everything forward of the firewall.

Another option is to rebuild your original compressor. My R34 comp is currently dead and I will be most likely doing that to it if the spare one in the shed is also leaky.

Is rebuilding it even a thing? Where would the shop find parts for it? I looked at some off these local online stores for my r34 and suprisingly they had brand new aftetmarket ones for $600-800 I think. I guess r32 might be a bit tougher.

[GTSBoy]

23 minutes ago, silviaz said:

Is rebuilding it even a thing? Where would the shop find parts for it? I looked at some off these local online stores for my r34 and suprisingly they had brand new aftetmarket ones for $600-800 I think. I guess r32 might be a bit tougher.

Auto electricians that do repairs on automotive AC systems can source service kits. I don't know where they actually source them. I do know that there is one available for the R34 comp that I would need it for. If you have to pay someone to dismantle, clean and do needed repairs and fit kit contents, then you'd probably end up spending a good fraction of the cost of a new one. I would not be paying for that, because I would be doing it myself. My mechanic (bro-in-law) will happily source what is needed.

Back in the day (like in the 80s and 90s), rebuilding an AC compressor was the standard approach, same as for starter motors, alternators, etc, because new replacements were v. expensive. After the China manufacturing boom and the rise of the disposable approach to everything, people just started throwing broken/worn stuff away and not rebuilding things.

[silviaz]

37 minutes ago, GTSBoy said:

Auto electricians that do repairs on automotive AC systems can source service kits. I don't know where they actually source them. I do know that there is one available for the R34 comp that I would need it for. If you have to pay someone to dismantle, clean and do needed repairs and fit kit contents, then you'd probably end up spending a good fraction of the cost of a new one. I would not be paying for that, because I would be doing it myself. My mechanic (bro-in-law) will happily source what is needed.

Back in the day (like in the 80s and 90s), rebuilding an AC compressor was the standard approach, same as for starter motors, alternators, etc, because new replacements were v. expensive. After the China manufacturing boom and the rise of the disposable approach to everything, people just started throwing broken/worn stuff away and not rebuilding things.

Ah yep. I asked a auto electrician about getting a cheap rebuilt alternator vs a new one. He also said he used to it back in the day but it ended up costing similar to what a new one would and recommended getting a new one,.

Edited 2 hours ago by silviaz

[R3N3]

On 26/2/2025 at 6:25 PM, soviet_merlin said:

Out of curiosity, what's the reason for converting?

I think @R3N3 might have the Frenchy's kit in the R33? I somehow think of you as the ambassador for realistic and clean street-driven setups nowadays  

Haha im flattered! Although my poor boat is collecting dust in the garage, as it hasn’t been driven in like 6 months. I forgot the to put the trickle charger on too, so the battery is likely toast now..

I have the frenchys kit. It is fantastic. My only gripe was that the hard lines from the firewall needed some tweaking, however, this was mainly due to my specific turbo and dump combo. The weight and size packaging is much nicer too. I think I have some pics on my build thread somewhere..

my justification for the kit was more “why not” I had gone to the trouble to modernise just about every other part of the car..