At Classic Auto Air, we sometimes hear customers saying, “My factory air conditioning system isn’t working well.  What should I do?”  This Tech Talk post discusses when an engine compartment upgrade kit is a good solution.

An Engine Compartment Upgrade Kit is a good solution when:

• The interior portion of your air-conditioning system is functioning adequately but the engine compartment components are not.
• You are more interested in performance/price/ efficiency than stock appearance.
• You do not want to replace your entire factory air conditioning system with an aftermarket one.
• Converting to 134a? You get everything needed to convert to 134a except the refrigerant itself and POA valve calibration.

Click here for more information on converting to 134a.

What is an Engine Compartment Upgrade Kit?

Our engine compartment upgrade kits replace the existing AC compressor, hoses, drier/accumulator, and stock condenser with a modern rotary compressor, new R134A compatible hoses & lines, new R134A compatible drier/accumulator and modern high-performance parallel-flow condenser.

Why an Engine Compartment Upgrade Kit as opposed to repairing a factory AC system?

Modern air conditioning systems are more efficient largely because of improved condensers & compressors.  Classic Auto Air’s high performance engine compartment upgrade kits serve as an easy way to replace the out-of-date compressor & condenser with an improved high-performance parallel flow condenser and rotary compressor to connect to your car’s original factory AC system.

Rotary compressors use only 2-5 horsepower compared to the 10-15 drawn by stock compressors.  Additionally, rumbling & vibrations and the oil & refrigerant leaks that are commonplace with the original compressor are virtually eliminated.  Some other advantages of the more efficient compressor include lighter weight, improved gas mileage and the ability to operate the air-conditioning at up to 6,000 rpm’s while the air-conditioning is running without risk of damaging the compressor or system.

Modern high-performance parallel-flow condensers help reduce air conditioning system pressures by removing heat at a faster rate than the original stock condensers.  This is particularly beneficial in helping the system run efficiently at idle, as well as increasing interior cool-down speeds both with the old R12 and newer 134a refrigerants.

Additionally, since the original rubber hoses used with R12 systems are porous when used with 134a refrigerant and the system operates at a higher pressure, all rubber hoses will need to be replaced during a 134a conversion.  Modern rubber hoses have a nylon barrier layer to prevent the R134A gas from passing directly through the hose.

These kits are designed to give years of service and are priced to be a value as compared to working with old AC parts.  Be sure to check out Engine Compartment Upgrade Kits available from CAA, including:

Ford Engine Compartment Upgrade Kits

GM Engine Compartment Upgrade Kits

Mopar Engine Compartment Upgrade Kits

Posted in: Engine Compartment Upgrade Kits