adding AC to a car that came w/o

[blazenem]

how hard can this really be? my 90 accord didnt come with ac has anyone ever added ac to a car that didnt come with it. i know peeps delete the ac all the time, but im talking about adding it.

[cloudasc]

You would need an entire hvac system from a cb that came with a/c. This means your having to tear your dash completely apart to do everything, not just the majority of parts that are found under the hood. It would probably be easier and cheaper just to buy a cb that already has a/c.

[blazenem]

You would need an entire hvac system from a cb that came with a/c. This means your having to tear your dash completely apart to do everything, not just the majority of parts that are found under the hood. It would probably be easier and cheaper just to buy a cb that already has a/c.

yeah that's what i figured, was gonna get another CB that has it installed as my DD...just thought maybe it was lines, harness, compressor, condenser, and the thing under the dash what is that called?

[GeoffM]

yeah that's what i figured, was gonna get another CB that has it installed as my DD...just thought maybe it was lines, harness, compressor, condenser, and the thing under the dash what is that called?

Evap coil. In order to add it, you need to remove your dash.
(Evap = Evaporation)

[blazenem]

Evap coil. In order to add it, you need to remove your dash.
(Evap = Evaporation)

yeah thats too much work lol seem easier to swap a motor

[oyajicool]

Evaporator coil R/R can be done by removing just glove box and related parts, not entire dash. My computer geek son did it by looking at Haynes manual, not needing my help, except on installation. He needed someone to guide and pull drain hose so it will not be pinched upon installation of the coil assembly.

But, still, it would be cost effective to find the car with A/C installed already compared to retrofitting it from other cars if you ask me.

[Dr. Shuffles]

You would need an entire hvac system from a cb that came with a/c. This means your having to tear your dash completely apart to do everything, not just the majority of parts that are found under the hood.

Why would you have to tear the dash apart? There's the evaporator coil, which can be accessed without removing the dash (or so I've heard). And obviously you need a switch to turn the AC on. All the other parts are in the engine bay, aren't they? Or did I miss something?

[Tippey764]

Its not hard to do at all. The a/c system is designed to be installed in a car at the dealer as an accessory.

Your car is already pre wired for a/c so thats a major step thats already dealt with

The evaporator coil can be easily accessed by just removing the glove box.

basically you need to add the compressor, compressor bracket, condenser in the front bumper, hard lines and an evaporator coil. Oh and don't forget the switch.

Its not hard, i've fully removed and reinstalled mine on my brothers car before. it takes about 2-3 hours to fully install it.


Don't listen to people in here. It would neither be cheaper or easier to get a cb7 with a/c. Chances are finding one that still works will be hard itself. The system and its componets i'm sure could be had at a local junkyard between $100-$200. For the 2-3 hours of the install i think it would be well worth it.

[oyajicool]

Where I live, it is hard to find a car without A/C installed already.

2-3 hours for A/C transplant may be possible if you have two cars sitting next to each other. And if you have tools and equipments already to do the job plus skill and knowledge.

[cloudasc]

I have had to replace my blower fan motor, (and yes the glove box was removed) and that was an utter pain in the ass in my lx coupe with a/c, sure you probably could squeeze everything in without tearing apart the dash, but you'll probably spend more time irritated and pissed off then if you would have torn the dash apart. Oh and the haynes manual sucks !#$%&* in regards to instructions to replace the fan motor for my car. So if you are going to undertake such a feat (like adding a/c to a non-a/c car), make sure you have a helms manual handy. Just my two cents.

Also doesn't the dx have a different vent operating system, that is missing the evaporator?

Removing and re-adding the a/c system on a car that came with it is different then a car not-equiped getting it added if I am not mistaken.

[Tippey764]

Also doesn't the dx have a different vent operating system, that is missing the evaporator?

Removing and re-adding the a/c system on a car that came with it is different then a car not-equiped getting it added if I am not mistaken.

Its not

It has a duct that replaces the evaporator coil

You simply remove the glove box and its mounting bracket. Then you remove the 4 bolts on the bypass duct and remove it. Install the evaporator coil in its spot

The evaporator coil is very easy to remove. The hardest part is disconnecting the high/low pressure lines if you have a car with ABS.

[Nyne521]

also if your going to attempt this make sure you add your receiver dryer and while your at it a filter... and check oem specs the RD and Compressor should be hold a certain amount of oil before the system is charged... also make sure you lube only the out side of your seals with A/c mineral oil... and you'll probably want to use R134a since it would be expensive and hard to find R12 which means i would use POE oil in the system... oem calls for mineral oil but that should only be used with R12, PAG is for R134a but since you're retrofitting the system i would use POE as it is suitable for both. PM me if you need any help or have any questions... just got my 609 certification... lol

[cloudasc]

Its not

It has a duct that replaces the evaporator coil

You simply remove the glove box and its mounting bracket. Then you remove the 4 bolts on the bypass duct and remove it. Install the evaporator coil in its spot

The evaporator coil is very easy to remove. The hardest part is disconnecting the high/low pressure lines if you have a car with ABS.

Thats good to know!

Also I thought the dx had a different "thermostat" that uses manual cables to open and close / change the vents, vs a motor, does that have any effect on the system? Or do dx's also come fitted with the motorized vent selection / thermostat?

[blazenem]

Thats good to know!

Also I thought the dx had a different "thermostat" that uses manual cables to open and close / change the vents, vs a motor, does that have any effect on the system? Or do dx's also come fitted with the motorized vent selection / thermostat?

yeah the dx has a diff climate control. i dont have the 2 knobs that break off on everyone lol. it has one for the fan and a sliding switch for the temp. it has a cold side on the sliding switch so maybe that means its compatible with ac . i guess one good thing is the engine i just installed came with an ac compressor on it. dont know the condition but if i attemp this maybe i wont need to buy a compressor...looks like i might hit up the JY this weekend

[Tippey764]

Thats good to know!

Also I thought the dx had a different "thermostat" that uses manual cables to open and close / change the vents, vs a motor, does that have any effect on the system? Or do dx's also come fitted with the motorized vent selection / thermostat?

No. The heater core doors are cable driven on both climate controls

The only part thats powered on an LX/EX/SE is the vent position, that motor is on the left side of the heat ex changer

Regardless you aren't touching that part, you're removing the part next to it. Its all compatible. Just make sure you grab your a/c from a non abs car. Well it doesn't matter if you grab the whole system but FYI the connection through the firewall has different fittings on an ABS car to clear the accumulator.