Hi folks, new to the message boards on here. Anyways, I am proud to say that I am going to be the owner of a 1991 Camaro RS V8 5.0 Liters 305 TBI.

Now I understand that the 305 TBI engines aren't really performance oriented that's ok because if there's one thing the car can do for me, its provide me with good acceleration at my disposal.

There are a few drawbacks on to the car however, and my main concern is the A/C. I understand that the A/C on these cars were originally charged with R12 Refridgerants which is no longer being produced, my question is how are the R12 based A/Cs? I mean I have tested the car out and everything and the A/C is still blowing cold (albeit it takes awhile to charge up but it gets there) I think I may need to recharge the A/C unit soon but seeing as how the freon is no longer being produced that could be a problem.

A/C is VERY important to me especially when you are living the unforgiving Arizonan summers with temperatures that exceed 100 degrees each day of the summer. I just want to know if there are any signs or trouble I should look out for. And I also want to know if I should possibly consider converting the R12 to an R134a system. Are there any other solutions or alternatives other than converting an A/C system. I just want my A/C to blow cold that all I really want and well that's what an A/C should do. My vehicle as of now is charged with an R134a system and its quite possibly the most convenient A/Cs ever in a car. its very reliable, and very efficient.

So is it really worth it to convert my A/C system as I said before, I called Midas and asked if they had the refridgerant and they said they had plenty of them leftover and would be happy to recharge it for me.

Other than that, the car is looking great and I can't wait until its in my possession, it sounds awesome, and it may not be the fastest camaro ever made, but the amount of torque and the excellent acceleration makes up for that.

 

r12 is still around, just very expensive compared to other types. if you don't have a problem i'd just recharge it with r12. when and if you have a problem and have the system open i'd consider converting to r134a.

 

When I pull my engine for my 383 rebuild, I'm gonna replace the entire A/C system and convert to R134a just to avoid this crap in the future.

 

I agree with the others. R134-A is the way to go...I am putting that last on my list as i have a 91 TA 5.0 TPI. R-12 is expensive and converting can be expensive as well...WIth the r-134A, it will only be expensive once when you convert. R-12 will be expensive now and always will be, maybe even increase in price or just not exist anymore. Go with R-134a.

~Sean

 

can anyone roughly tell me about how much I should spend on an entirely new A/C system.

I heard it won't be difficult to convert yourself and I'd like to give it a try. I just need the current A/C system to last me through the summer which is about a good 2 months left.

After the dog days of summer are over, I'll be focusing over the winter on how to convert my A/C system and what options I have.

I heard there are some people that are willing to convert for about 500 dollars, new everything, does this seem like a legitimate quote, some people gave me even a 1300 dollar quote and quite frankjly, the Camaro I am buying is 1800 dollars and I'd just feel like a piece of crap paying 1300 dollars on a new A/C system.