Vintage air AC compressor options?

[bbjones121]

Hi all, I decided to go with the vintage air Mini gen II system. I had to purchase a new condenser/radiator since my donor part was damaged.

Now I am trying to figure out compressor options. It doesn't sound like we can use the factory since it is variable.

Anyone actually try it? It would be nice to keep factory WOT a.c. compressor cutoff. Can that be done with aftermarket compressor.

[07FIREBLADE]

I will let you know how the stock compressor works in a few weeks. Getting my lines made this week.

[bbjones121]

I will let you know how the stock compressor works in a few weeks. Getting my lines made this week.

Sounds good. I can't wait to hear. I will start going that route also, so please let me know. I am a ways out. Did you tie into factory harness to allow AC cutoff on full throttle?

[07FIREBLADE]

No I didnt tie into it. Maybe it will just blow up who knows. I'm just using the donor compressor because it was free and will switch to the approriate compressor if needed.

[mikeb75]

I've been looking at the V.A. solution and wondering if it would be possible to use an electric compressor instead of one driven by the engine? I still have a bunch or research to do to see if an appropriate sized one is available; but if so I'll be trying to install it in the front of the car. Will be watching this thread for your progress.

[insurance guy]

I've been looking at the V.A. solution and wondering if it would be possible to use an electric compressor instead of one driven by the engine? I still have a bunch or research to do to see if an appropriate sized one is available; but if so I'll be trying to install it in the front of the car. Will be watching this thread for your progress.

check the evtv.me or other electric conversion websites. They have been dealing with the heat and ac issues for many years on their conversions and have some options that are easy to install and work well.

[AZPete]

Robert, I'm also anxious to hear your if your Vintage Air system works with the Subaru compressor, since that's what I've done. So far I've got the V.A. components all plumbed and wired but I haven't yet had the system leak-checked and charged. I've got some other stuff to do before it's ready to register and drive to an A/C shop. Get to work, eh? :)

[BN]

Robert, I'm also anxious to hear your if your Vintage Air system works with the Subaru compressor, since that's what I've done. So far I've got the V.A. components all plumbed and wired but I haven't yet had the system leak-checked and charged. I've got some other stuff to do before it's ready to register and drive to an A/C shop. Get to work, eh? :)

So am I but for my 818C but it's not ordre yet

[07FIREBLADE]

The AC shop is making my house than I will assemble and have them charge and leak test. Im waiting for the call to go and pick up mine lines. Im just a bit busy with school and this heat has been killer to work in.

Im converting my S into a C so I planned from the beginning on having AC installed. If it wasn't going to be the hardtop it would of been the soft top, but AC was always in the plan. Should have the car up to the AC shop hopefully by the end of end of next week. Going out of town for labor day weekend.

[AZPete]

I stumbled on this old thread and can tell you the Subaru A/C compressor works with the Vintage Air system. Vintage Air might tell you the Subaru compressor is a variable type and won't work, but the Subaru compressors are fixed pressure and WILL WORK. I know because I researched it and my Vintage Air system works fine with the donor compressor!

[bbjones121]

Would you mind mentioning again what all fittings and tubing you got? Did you actually weld fittings on the factory tubing or use compression fittings?

[AZPete]

I took the donor tubing and these Vintage air tubes to an A/C shop where the two were welded. These V.A. tubes have ports but search the V.A. catalog to see which fit your needs.

12513-VCD Hardline #8 x 12” M/FM U Bend Em
12514 -VCS Hardline #10 x 12” M/FM U Bend Em

I have a pdf of what I did and the parts used so if you'd like it PM your email address.

[Carlsonmj]

Thanks for your post. Do you have any pictures of how you plumbed the lines to the compressor, etc. ? and...all the other complexities as your ID states! LOL

[AZPete]

Carlsonmj, if you send me your email address in a PM I'll send a pdf that shows what I did to add air.
(When everyone in the tundra territories is suffering through a "Polar Vortex", I love to talk about air conditioning since it's 72 F here today!)

[weasson]

Hi Folks,

I just stumbled on this thread as well. I purchased my 818 about 6 months ago. Using a 2002 WRX as the donor.

My father and I have been going like crazy and are starting to think about defrost / heat / AC. Live in Canada, so heat is a must. Just wondering if you could elaborate on how well the Vintage Air systems have worked (seems like the easiest option) and where you mounted the units, where lines were run, etc.

Any info would be appreciated.

[BN]

I use AXpete list but change a little my route. And from the compreur I use compresse ring not welded63786637876378863789637906379163792637936379 463795

[BN]

6379663797for the by pass 5/8 tube inside there is small tube with 14/in hold for restriction

[BN]

637986379963800 I got it all from summet racing

[AZPete]

Weasson, I made a pdf showing how I installed HVAC in my 818. It is too big to post here so send me a PM with your email address and I'll send it to you. Or, same for any other builder.
Pete

[weasson]

Thanks for all the info, should make this a little easier!

[Carlsonmj]

Do you have a part number for the AC compressor line connector? I can't seem to locate it on Summit and don't know if I should weld.

[AZPete]

AC compressor line connector? It would be nice if there was a connector that would marry the Subaru compressor to the Vintage Air system, but I had the 2 donor tubes welded to the 2 tubes from Vintage Air. See post #12 above.

[Carlsonmj]

AC compressor line connector? It would be nice if there was a connector that would marry the Subaru compressor to the Vintage Air system, but I had the 2 donor tubes welded to the 2 tubes from Vintage Air. See post #12 above.

I was referring to the compression fittings that were used in lieu of welding. I am at that part of my build and am exploring options. I do not have access to welding them.

[AZPete]

Carlsonmj, I'm not sure what you mean. As far as I know, there is no compression fitting that connects the Vintage Air system to the Subaru compressor. If it exists, we'd all like to know, but I had my lines welded by an A/C shop since I couldn't do it.

BTW, I had a PM this morning asking for my pdf of A/C info, but somehow I lost that PM. If it was you, please resend the PM and I'll email the pdf.

[DaveS53]

Variable displacement compressors will not work properly with a VA system, but many can be converted from variable to fixed, if you can find the refrigerant control valve and with either plug is or remove o-rings so it's always in full flow mode.

Some valves are accessible from the exterior of the compressor, but obviously don't mess with a charged system.

You can find a few articles on converting a variable displacement compressor to fixed with a google search.

[frankc5r]

Subaru compressor is called variable but it
is not and is proven to work just fine without
any changes.

[AZPete]

DaveS53 & frankc5r, you are both correct.
Dave, you are correct that a variable compressor will not work with the VA system - but the Subaru compressor is NOT variable displacement.
frankc5r, you are correct that the Subaru compressor is not the variable type and works just fine with the Vintage Air system. I know for sure because my 818 A/C works perfectly with VA and the Subaru compressor . . . now after nearly a year in the Arizona desert.

When I started planning for HVAC, the Vintage Air tech guys told me the Subaru compressor wouldn't work because it is a variable displacement compressor. I found that the Subaru factory service manual lists the compressor as "vane rotary, fix volume". When I told the VA tech guys, they conceded it "might" work. Once my system was plumbed and charged, it worked perfectly, so even if VA tech says the donor compressor won't work - it will! It is Fixed Displacement.

[Carlsonmj]

Hi! I just sent you a PM. Had a question about the vacuum line for the heater control valve. Do you run a vacuum line all the way back from the control valve?

[AZPete]

Yes, I ran a vacuum line all the way back to the intake port that was previously used for the donor vacuum brake booster. But, I think that someone said that the new Vintage Air Mini unit has an electric heater control valve . . if you have the new mini unit.