Removing AC heat exchanger
 

For now, I just want to remove the heat exchanger. I need more cooling so it has to go. Until I see that it is successful I don't want to pull the whole system. Can I just pull the radiator out and get to the AC heat exchanger and disconnect it easily? (I have a friend that will siphon off the Freon)

Thanks!!

Yes. Easily accessed with the radiator out. Get caps for the lines to keep junk out.

For what it's worth, I was able to get mine out with the radiator still in place.

Removal of the entire AC system, allofit, was less than an hour for my car. This was with Curly's help, though He's fast. He enters some sort of savant trance when you give him a wrench, a task, and a bottomless beer. Condenser, lines, compressor, and the ventilation box was replaced with the Mazda non-ac connector piece. We did not remove the radiator but the bumper was off. Absolutely take the bumper off.

Second that on the ease/speed of removing the entire A/C. Saves quite a bit of weight - 33 lbs as I recall on an NA.

Job was made easier by having OEM A/C installation instructions which I found online for a 90 NA - http://webpages.charter.net/a7037196/miata/90ACINST.pdf - (hopefully there are some for NBs). Do the instructions backwards.

Anyone with an NA should also Google "A/C delete bolt" - a bolt you have to buy to plug a hole in the block that would weep oil otherwise. Also on an NA, no need to remove the bumper.

Need the bolt for NB as well, but in either case only if you delete the compressor. Which is heavy.

M8x1.25x45mm.

Does this apply to 1.6 cars as well? I may need to go buy a bolt...

The compressor isnt that heavy, its the fucking 15lb cast iron bracket that is like half the weight of the A/C system.

Yes. It's actually an oil pump bolt.

Yes, all '90-'05 Miatas with AC have a longer bolt going through the compressor bracket, through the oil pump, and into the block. Removing the compressor bracket requires either a ~1" spacer, or a ~1" shorter bolt.

Unless you get the 1.75lb aluminum bracket, only available on the MSM I think.

Someone needs to put a cast iron one on a decent quality scale and take a picture. Just so I can charge more for the aluminum one :)

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1409021300

4 lb 12 oz

Compressor - 12 lb 15 oz

Rest of A/C stuff - box feels heavy

I'm keeping all this because someday I may put the car back to stock. ;) :giggle: :bowrofl: :loser: :bang:

Still, that's a 3lb savings with the aluminum bracket! Perfect for my for sale thread, thanks.

32 lbs total for NB2.

My bracket felt a shit ton heavier than 4 lbs when I took it off. I'll go weigh it tomorrow. It's late, it's dark, and the spiders behind the garage scare me.

oooh spiders!

I got my condenser out and put 100% distilled water with water wetter in. Hopefully I can say goodbye to 220* temps and always watching my temp gauge instead of driving!!

fwiw Aluminum compressor AND bracket from the 04-05 saves over 10lbs. But you'll have to contend with swaging/brazing hard lines for different port locations and probably tensioning due to the smaller pulley.

https://www.miataturbo.net/build-thr...3/#post1122448 04/05 AC compressor/bracket