aircon removal

[chuck]

Has anyone removed the aircon system from there car, for almost three years now been driving with no aircon. I by past it with a smaller belt when the clutch ceased so thinking just remove it all if its not to difficult, might gain a mile or so with a lighter car

[Myfeckin FTO]

I haven't but I'm very tempted to get rid of the lot.
Loosing weight is the best way to gain performance and the aircon would be the first thing I'd want binned from my FTO. Its just the hassle thats stopped me so far - I wonder if there is a write-up in existance for removing all the relevant parts?

[CJ]

I wonder if there is a write-up in existance for removing all the relevant parts?

Not that I'm aware of, if you had a copy og CAPs and the workshop manuals, it wouldn't be too difficult to work out, that said, I can imagine that it would take some time.

CJ

[RussMan]

What kind of weight savings would you expect from removal?
2-3 Kg's?

Best of luck with it!! I'm sick of mine stinking of poo but no time to try the air con clean guide!!

[CJ]

What kind of weight savings would you expect from removal?2-3 Kg's?!

A fair bit more I'd say, probably nearer to 20kg.

CJ

[Myfeckin FTO]

What kind of weight savings would you expect from removal?
2-3 Kg's?

Best of luck with it!! I'm sick of mine stinking of poo but no time to try the air con clean guide!!

Russman - your aircon will weight a bit less than the GPX/GR Climate Control system - but you would probably be looking at close on 20kgs alright. Thats easily an extra 3bhp per tonne increase. Like most FTO performance mods - its slight - but it all adds up.

[chuck]

After posting on the FTOOC about this was told to get in touch with Mr Bishi very nice guy that he is replied in no time from the sound of it does not seem such a dawnting prospect here is what he says............................................

OK Dude,a fairly easy job this.

First,make sure you've let out all the gas (assuming you have any left in)
Then you can just start unbolting everything you see!! The condenser will come out after you've removed the radiator,then you can unbolt all the engine bay pipework. You can buy a shorter belt from www.camskill.co.uk for when you've removed the compressor.
Next,to the hardest bit,the evaporater! That's located behind the glovebox and there's a guide http://www.hostilesmoker.com/ in the 'garage' section. When you've removed the evaporater you'll need to replace its plastic housing and the electrical component that's attached to it (you'll see what i mean when you get it off)This allows your normal fans and stuff to still work.

And as far as i remember,thats about it!!

Good luck,Si



Will be attempting this before Xmas will let yous know how i get on

[chuck]

Have just finished removing the aircon system wasn't to hard after all its only taken me 3 years to get round to it and about 4 hours to do it hardest bit was squeezing the evaporator out of glove box compartment anyhow weighed it for yous and it came in at 17klgs without any liquid init, everything i removed is in the pic

[Muad_dib77]

That's a fair bit of kit that there..

U gonna stick it on eBay?

[Myfeckin FTO]

..... just finished removing the aircon system .......

Nice one chuck

Good riddance too! Nice 17kgs lost as well - I'd say its possible to get a manual FTO GPX down to about 1100kgs with some choice binning of non essential bits. When I took out my rear seats - spare wheel,ICE, tool kit and misc bits and bobs I'd say I lost an easy 50kgs. Big difference if you were doing a 1/4 mile run. It was the best mod I made to my car from a performance perspective.

The air-con is on my to-do list.

[chuck]

U gonna stick it on eBay?

Don't think so, will trade it to anybody here for anything FTO related, when taking the casing of the evaporator was very surprised at the amount of fluff on it would say this would impede the performance of the system. something people might take into account if having problems with there aircon.. I bent a few of the pipes when removinig so would not recomend them to any one,




Pic of evaporator with fluff




Quick rub must be at least 5mm thick