A/C-gas ...worth it?

[jetjock]

Not sure whay you'd want to convert unless your system is already toast but it'll be cheaper if you do it yourself and do it right the first time. If I were you I'd stick to R12 but that's me.

This AC/gas argument is dumb. Aerodynamic parasitic drag increases as the square of the speed. Looked at another way to overcome twice the drag requires four times the power.

There are other factors involved too. The bottom line is at any speed over 40 mph AC wins. Not to mention I fail to understand self imposed suffering while putting a price (and not much of one at that) on it. Imho not having AC in a street car makes no sense unless you're a masochist.

 

[Mr. Sinister]

Not sure whay you'd want to convert unless your system is already toast but it'll be cheaper if you do it yourself and do it right the first time. If I were you I'd stick to R12 but that's me.

I lost the charge in the system when my engine got rebuilt. I figured that if I got it converted to R-134, then I could do future recharges myself.

 

[Nick M]

AC rules, and I don't really care what it does to fuel economy.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[whenmunkysfly]

i have yet to find out if my ac even works as my car hasnt moved under its own power even before it was mine.

 

[Adjuster]

The truth is that R12 is a better "freon" than R134a.
You need more R134a to get the same effect that about 20 to 25% less R12 will provide.
Your AC system is designed for your car. Each car has different cooling needs, so they engineer the compressor, condensor and evaporator sizes accordingly.
When converted to another type of gas, and in the case of 134a, a less effective type, you lose the ability to completely cool the car down in very hot weather, under full sunlight.

My 94 Q45 was converted by the prior owner, and in 95+ weather, it can't keep up and blows just cool air, not cold air. Charge amount is correct, but the size of the system can't provide enough surface area and gas volume to keep up with the heat.

R12 prices seem to have stablized, so why switch over to a less effective gas? I can't see any good reason at all.

 

[Mr. Sinister]

Less effectiveness is a good point but would unlikely be a deterrent for me. The car doesn't get driven unless it's below 85 and dry. Guess I have some more research to do. Thanks for the info jetjock/Adjuster.

 

[aggie08281]

I was being stupid and was really tired last night...

Nissan Skyline GTR-R34............ R-134......bleh?

See the comparrison? I'm so stupid sometimes. :icon_razz lol...:icon_bigg

lol i gotcha, i was driving home and was like WTF, skyline? did i type something wrong? no problem:icon_lol:

 

[aggie08281]

How much did the conversion cost you? I've been thinking about doing this.

well this mechanic down here did the whole thing for about $130 and so far is blowing good for almost 3 weeks now, no problems, except the gas mileage goes down