Hey guys...just wondering about those retrofit r134a kits. Has anyone installed one? I just wanna know if it is a pretty straight-foward job or should I not mess with it. Thanks.

 

Yea there actually a tech artical on retrofiting but its kinda old and the prices quoted in it are now inacurate "its cheaper now". Its very simple and the kit comes with instructions. I highly reccomend getting a can of r134 stop leak to put in the system when you charge it "you never know".
SSC

Check out the tech artical it might give you some helpfull hints, more than the actual instructions.

 

A mechanic friend of mine told me that it's not worth it because R-12 is much better than R-134a, and the retrofit doesn't work anywhere near as good as a stock R-134a system.

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Ludicrous Speed GO!!!

 

I put the retro fit kit in my 92 Dodge--works perfectly! Thing is ice cold! Cost me around $35 for the complete kit. If you follow the directions you shouldn't have a problem.

 

If your system has been inoperative for a while, it is worthwhile to switch to 134a. Change all the O - rings. I also installed a new accumulator and orifice tube while I had the system apart. If you can, try to get out as much of the old oil as you can, and pull a vacuum on the system. This is the right way to do it, I spent around $100 but it my A/C blows 42 degrees.

If all you do is change the fittings, then yes, it may not work as well as an R12 system. If your R12 system is working and it just isn't cold enough, you might just be better off charging the system.

Here's a link that may be helpful:

http://www.acsource.com



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Jed
89 Formula 350

 

I agree with most of the posts above. I too changed over. R12 would have been just too expensive for the one or two times I use it a year.

I did notice a difference between R12 and R134a though. R134a, true to published data, was ~20°F cooler than ambient temperature at idle. A 90°F outside temperature will typically only give you about 70°F duct temperature. I definately would not describe it as "ice cold". Cool yes, and borderline cold (if it's not too cold outside) maybe. I wonder if anyone would still hold to the "ice cold" feeling when it's 100°F outside and at idle...

It was also a quick, easy and inexpensive job to do myself. I think it cost me a total of $40-50.

As an interesting aside, a post was made (by Vader) about considering R-414B (HOT SHOT) as an alternative to R12 and R134a. It requires a special shop to do the conversion, is less expensive than R12 (but more expensive than R134a) but performs slightly better than R12. R-414B claims better performance getting colder quicker than R12. Using that same 90°F outside temperature, their web site www.icorinternational.com claims a 40-44°F duct temperature at idle, even lower at speed. They say high and low side pressures will be the same to 5% higher than R12 and give about 8% better performance.

 

Now I'm confused, Do they still make r12? I thought they didn't so you'd have to pay an arm and a leg to charge it. Or is that just r22? If they do still make it, what would r12 cost per pound? Straighten me out please!

 

Production on R12 stopped in 1995 or 1996, I believe. Limited quantities are still available, but because it is in short supply it is very expensive, roughly $30 a pound. Compare that to 134a, which goes for a little over $3 a pound, and does not deplete the ozone layer like R12 does. You need a license to purchase R12, but anyone can purchase 134a.

Another R12 replacement is Autofrost R-406a. You can read about it at http://www.autofrost.com

As far as temperature goes, I work with 134a systems on a daily basis. R12 is generally cooler at idle, compared to 134a. However, in my experience, 134a is cooler at idle than stated above. I like to see temperatures in the 50's and 60's with 134a, at idle, depending on how well the system is working. In my opinion, if you have a system that is only reaching 70 degrees at idle on a 90 degree day, well, it could and should be colder. There may be a problem with that system.

Not trying to flame anyone, just stating my opinion based on my experiences.


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Jed
89 Formula 350

 

We sell R12 for about $75.00 a 12 OZ can here.

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R
and 2 POS commuters...

R.I.P. #3
"He can see air"


[This message has been edited by Engineboy (edited July 28, 2001).]

 

You all are lucky.. here we don't have to pass emissions, but we can't get R12 recharged (illegal) and we can't buy the R134 kit, (also illegal) though we can install it, it just has to be purchased in another state.

What a bunch of crap.

Jon

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89 GTA
Beautiful Gunmetal gray, LB9 305 and T5 tranny. Only 60,000 miles!
Dual cats, 3"flomaster
Accel 300+ Ignition, wires, cap, coil, etc
Airfoil
KN Airfilter
Removed Screens on MAF
SLP 1 3/4 headers
No Smog/AIR system

 

Resto,

You can thank the confused demos on the east side (sportin' the fanny packs and rainbow decals on the beltline) for that one. Their theory - "If you don't understand it, make it illegal." This is all from a state that spends millions annually on anti-smoking campaigns and subsidizes tobacco farmers in Rock and Green counties at the same time. I think I need another bier.

If you really want to try 134a, wait until you're near the border and get a few cans in Ill-noise (you know, FIB land).

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Later,
Vader
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"Let the bodies hit the floor!"
Adobe Acrobat Reader

 

What state are you from?

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83 berlinetta currently 350/350 3:42 gear,2500 stal,3inch exhaust,2 1/4
exhaust manifolds,comp cam 268,performer intake
L69 dual snorkle aircleaner 3160lb