Removing A/C - thoughts

[TRI]

I don't use the A/C and think about removing it.

Radiators are said to have about 30% impact on the aerodynamics. The system is about 30-35 lbs total.

I'd remove:
- A/C radiator (condensor with fan)
- A/C compressor (heaviest part, about 20 lbs)
- A/C lines
- A/C receiver (filter)

I'd leave in the car:
- CCU (no problem)
- evaporator

I'd leave those things in the car because it's time consuming to uninstall them (evap.) or expensive to compensate (remind, we don't have no-A/C cars in Europe with a Celsius scale).

Things to change:
- A/C/WP/pulley belt and pulley. I need the non-A/C parts of a US-car.

I also need to store the parts to go back to A/C whenever I or the future buyer decides to go back. I have to find out how to store them properly.

Your opinion on this?
- Does the aerodynamic advantage, the weight saving and less frictional losses (belt, pulley) add at least +3 mpg? I'm currently at 75 mpg. I would only remove it if I can get at least 78 mpg (+3). What do you think?

[RobertSmalls]

For aerodynamics, you should block the area in front of the condenser. Actually, non-AC cars have a plastic panel that rivets in place to block off the area. Removing the condenser would also allow more air through the radiator, allowing you to block more of that off as well.

Weight savings: every little bit helps. I doubt you'd see 3%, but adopting a philosophy of going after all the little 0.5% to 1% items will add up in the long run.

[uhtrinity]

After putting AC in my non-AC car I saw no noticeable loss in MPG unless I was using AC.

[TRI]

Originally Posted by uhtrinity

After putting AC in my non-AC car I saw no noticeable loss in MPG unless I was using AC.

Ok, good argument against removing it.

[ghammerly]

I removed it on a CRX Hf I used to own and it made no measurable difference. I'm sure it actually helped a little with performance and fuel economy but too small to notice except when it ran with the A/C on.

[uhtrinity]

Originally Posted by TRI

Ok, good argument against removing it.

To add to that, using AC didn't even lower mpgs as much as I would have suspected.

[TRI]

Originally Posted by uhtrinity

To add to that, using AC didn't even lower mpgs as much as I would have suspected.

I don't use it because it forces me out of LB by up to 90 percent than without A/C. So, I take a free sauna. Not using it was my thought of uninstalling it. But according to the other one's experiences I guess I keep it installed and look for a more efficient way to raise mpg.
Oh, BTW, have a look at this list: Übersicht: Alle Hersteller - Alle Modelle - Spritmonitor.de
I guess I'm best of 42869 gasoline car because we stronly believe that the Smart is fake.
faxe here on the board will catch me this summer I think. I have to do more mods to prevent this happening.

[3-Wheeler]

To be honest, I was hoping for more responses about removing the AC.

I've had my car two years now, and don't even know if the AC works or not!! Never had the opportunity to try it.

Of course the fact that the car has sat the last two years in the garage with mods being done to it *may* have something to do with it.

Seriously though, I never used the AC on my old Cavalier either, even on the hottest 100°F days in Wisconsin.

Picture an extremely hot day with 95% humidity, and me riding a motorcycle to work with a full leather jacket, behind a foam/fiberglass full fairing and you get the idea of HOT.

Jim.

[Jivko57]

Originally Posted by 3-Wheeler

To be honest, I was hoping for more responses about removing the AC.

I've had my car two years now, and don't even know if the AC works or not!! Never had the opportunity to try it.

Of course the fact that the car has sat the last two years in the garage with mods being done to it *may* have something to do with it.

Seriously though, I never used the AC on my old Cavalier either, even on the hottest 100°F days in Wisconsin.

Picture an extremely hot day with 95% humidity, and me riding a motorcycle to work with a full leather jacket, behind a foam/fiberglass full fairing and you get the idea of HOT.

Jim.

I used mine to keep the battery at more comfortable temp last summer.
also once I had to transport my cat for 50 mile trip.
a 100* F is not a problem for me , but I had to turn the A/C for the animal, never seen a cat to breathe like a dog before....

Too much effort to remove the A/C and not too much gain... so I will keep mine and will use it from time to time....

[aisbell]

The A/C is really useful in cool, rainy weather where defogging with just outside air isn't very effective. Just a few seconds of A/C-dried air clears the windshield immediately.