Hey all,

I have a '92 that originally did not have AC installed that I have since swapped engines for the '03 1.8 and turbocharged. I was hoping to get some insight into how difficult it would to install an AC unit into the car. Any information would be great!

 

Do you have the wiring/connectors in place for the AC relay and pressure switch? Behind the right headlight.

 

you are asking the wrong question, this will be difficult for you.

 

I do not, unfortunately.

 

Care to elaborate? Would really like to do this conversion this season.

 

you gonna need a whole harness swap unless you are good with electrical wiring.

 

I have an electrician buddy that helped me with all the wiring for the engine swap and turbo set up, so I'm not super worried about that.

 

ahh ok, then have at it.

i'm doing the same although my situation is different. i removed AC 7 years ago but now i want it back.
i also tirmmed the harness to barebones so all those AC plugs, pfff...gone.

the only thing is getting the MS3 to understand the A/C...but i'll figure that part out.

 

Oh yeah, the wiring will definitely be a pain, especially running it into the dash and whatnot, I'm more concerned about it being the AC set up from the 1.8 and how that might differ and cause issues. I'm running a Speeduino on mine so I know that'll be.... interesting to deal with too haha. How far along are you with your readdition of the system? Any big speedbumps you've run into along the way I should look out for?

 

the only issue i see is if your ECU is not able to control the A/C, you will run into issues bumping up the IDLE when the A/C is on.

you need to wire the Hi/Low pressure switches, the FAN (this is easy).

if you cna't bump the IDLE when the A/C is on, your engine will likely shut down at a stop sign if the A/C compressor kicks in.

 

Yeah, I'll have to look into speeduino's documentation to see if there's a port for it on the ECU and if they've gotten all the coded worked out. Still waiting on a solid VVT code update from them so I can utilize it.

 

I put a 03 engine and r134a system into my 1991. I used an NA8 system, all components from a 1997 donor vehicle, with new dryer and condenser adapted onto the existing components. You'll probably need the NA6 evaporator assembly behind the dash. I ended up needing to get one custom pipe and hose combo made for me by a repair shop.

The most successful way to do it would be to start with an entire R12 system and an entire NA8 system and piece together a combination that works. The NA6 stuff will probably be needed for the hard lines that go through the firewall, and everything inside the cab, with NA8 stuff everywhere else. Then try and sell whatever is left over since many of the lines are no longer in production. I don't recall there being a whole lot of wires, maybe 4 connection points overall

 

Hey, I appreciate the response, especially with the experience of having done it before! Sounds like a great roadmap to follow, hopefully I can find all the parts I need relatively easily 🤞🏻

 

hehe, i have never done this, but having studied the wiring harness for 5 years now, i've become very familiar.

the A/C circuit is pretty basic.

 

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Well you had me convinced haha I'll update y'all when it's done or I inevitably run into some unforeseen issue!

 

for what is wirth i am in the middle of putting back the A/C in my car. i deleted all the wiring and currently do not have a stock ECU
so i am having to do everything from scratch.

find me on instagreat @Alejo_NIN