My 2 started life as an NA and it had a/c.

I then got a turbo swap and no a/c.

If i want to retrofit a/c, is it just fitting the compressor, belt and regassing the system?

TIA
Rob

Going to read the BGB later!

Just drive with the roof down Rob it will be easier

Quandry wrote:
Just drive with the roof down Rob it will be easier

That's fine for morning/evening - mid afternoon sun is a killer!

I'll def have some top-down driving. Just want to have the ac option.

Have to sort suspension out first. Can't get in/out of the garage without planks of wood.

Either going back to stock springs or 20mm H&R progressive springs.

While i am looking at that, i might get new damper inserts. As far as i read, turbos didn't have rebuildable struts but NA's did. Since mine was an NA, I'm hoping I've the rebuildable ones.

Stock height would be a bit of a shock. Take a look at the Tein super street. You can adjust the spring platform so if you need just 5mm more you can do it

I agree with Quandry, stock height just doesn't look right, it looks like it's on stilts.

If you don't want to spend money on coilovers go for some decent lowering springs. Be careful with the spring rate, too stiff and it will be like a pogo stick when driving over rough roads.


If you're going to the bother of bringing the a/c back to life I would recommend installing new seals.

Use a ester oil for the compressor.

Replace the dryer.

Is the condenser still installed in front of the radiator? Mine crumbled into dust when I removed it.

Make sure whoever is doing the gas first pulls a good vacuum, the longer the better. This helps to remove moisture.

Oh - i don't want to go back to stock springs.

But I've a dilemma. As i mentioned - the car won't go into the garage without going up on planks. 6 or so years ago, i got springs from a friend who had them in his garage and couldn't remember brand etc

So, my car was lowered and i never checked what the drop was.

I now have a car that i need to raise but not sure by how much. If they were 40mm springs, going to 20mm should do the job. but, if they were only 20mm, then i really need to go back to stock. If i need to go back to stock, it's a waste to go for coilovers.

At the mo, i have 205/45/17 on the front and 225/45/17 on the rear. On the rear, the top center of the tyre is sitting slightly higher than the lowest part of the wheel arch i.e. no gap ! Measuring from the outer part of the tyre to the wheel arch, I'm assuming / hoping that they are 40mm based on this. And so, 20mm H&H progressive springs would give me 20mm lift.

Do Tein and most coilovers range from stock to xxmm ? I was looking at the BC coilovers - £690. Tein are over £1,200. Separately buying springs and new dampers might be similar price to the BC coilovers.

I think i still have the 3 rads (incl my Chargecooler rad) up front. Don't know the price of a new aircon rad by any chance ? priced any of the other items - dryer ?

Which seals you mean - on the compressor ?

When i got my turbo swap, that's when i lost my aircon. So, i'm assuming the only things i am missing are the compressor and belt.

So, you're saying i should pick up a used ac compressor and replace the seals ?

BGB is saying i need a few SSTs - do you think it's worth it to do the install myself and then get someone to re-gas it ?


_KUNENA_BBCODE_HIDEIMG

I replaced the a/c rad in mine about 2 or 3 years ago, I tried to get it re-cored and then tried the dealer ... both of those were crazy prices. I got one from the US, it was a Denso part and was about 150USD if I recall. DENSO 477-0534 is the one for a rev 3 turbo. I know that the pipework for the rev1 & rev2 is a different size to rev3+ as I had drier and pipes from a 1992 ... and it would not connect to the pipework in mine. Rev1 & 2 use different gas (R12), not sure if you can get it anymore, R134A is for the new ones and halfords can re-gas it.

I am also running on BC Coilovers, originally with a 40mm drop but has to raise by about 10mm to fit the monoblocks as they are pretty much flush fitment, I find them great

[img]
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So, that pic is BC Coilovers with 30mm drop ? What size tyres do you have on the rear ?


My ac was working perfectly before the turbo swap. I might just try sourcing a second hand compressor, get the belt, fit it and re-gas it and see how it fares. My chargecooler rad is in the front - so, it would have been taking any abuse from stones etc ! Hopefully rad is okay. If not, i'll get the new one (still see them for around $150).

I assume when i am picking up a Compressor that the compressor and magnetic clutch is all one unit ?

Is your turbo engine a rev3+? Cause that's where it might get tricky ... if you are running a rev1 / rev2 engine with rev3+ a/c plumbing

I forget the exact drop on it now, it was a while ago when I did it and I had to raise it a second time ... tyres rubbing the arch on bumpy roads. it's around 25-30 now I reckon. I'll measure at the weekend and let you know if you like. 225/45R17 on the rear.

Yup, my turbo engine is def a rev3+

That'd be great if you can measure. No hurry.

Do you know the quoted height adjustment range on the bc coilovers? I can't serm to find it online. Hopefully its 0/stock to 40mm.

Edit - found it "from near standard ride height to so low it wouldn’t be drivable on the road"

Looking like BC Coilovers might be an option

If you have money to spend then take a look at this site. It may be a solution to your MR2 and the problem with the garage. www.stanceparts.com/

If your a/c compressor pump from the na engine was working before then you shouldn't need to buy another. I could be wrong but I would imagine that it would bolt up to the 3sgte.

The seals are for the pipe connections. I bought a seal kit for my rev2, is your spyder a rev3? I have read that the later revisions use a different dryer, but that was because of the change to R134a gas.

There is an alternative gas to R12 & r134a. I'll try and find info on it for you.

The gas is ES-12a.

Marty J wrote:
If you have money to spend then take a look at this site. It may be a solution to your MR2 and the problem with the garage. www.stanceparts.com/

If your a/c compressor pump from the na engine was working before then you shouldn't need to buy another. I could be wrong but I would imagine that it would bolt up to the 3sgte.

The seals are for the pipe connections. I bought a seal kit for my rev2, is your spyder a rev3? I have read that the later revisions use a different dryer, but that was because of the change to R134a gas.

There is an alternative gas to R12 & r134a. I'll try and find info on it for you.

Money is def a factor. My to do list is huge - alas, my wallet is not !

If i won the lotto (or part thereof !), i'd consider them. Bit boyracerish but useful. Nice to go to a show and have it slammed.

When i got the turbo swap done, i sold the NA engine, with all the ancilliaries. So, old compressor is gone

I'm hoping once i get the compressor, it'll all just work. Fingers crossed

I think you are confusing the air-cups with air-bag suspension.

The air-cup suspension when not in use does not affect the coilover, in other words the car remains at the height that it was set up to be used on the road. When you meet a obstacal like a speed ramp you increase the height of the car by using the air-cup system.

This has the advantage of using the coilovers as intended without compromising on cars handling.

Marty J wrote:
I think you are confusing the air-cups with air-bag suspension.

The air-cup suspension when not in use does not affect the coilover, in other words the car remains at the height that it was set up to be used on the road. When you meet a obstacal like a speed ramp you increase the height of the car by using the air-cup system.

This has the advantage of using the coilovers as intended without compromising on cars handling.

Yeah - i know what you mean. They're actually a much better idea than air-bag. Well, air-bag is fine, i suppose, if you just want a comfy ride and aren't concerned about handling etc.

The more i think about them, the more i think they are an excellent idea. There's obviously no need for them unless you have a speed bump/garage problem. But, that's exactly what i have

What i am slightly confused about is how it fits to the coilover.

I get the idea in theory - it stays uncompressed most of the time. But, even uncompressed, it has to add to the overall coilover height.

My question is - is adding the cups raising your car height ?

I suppose with coilovers you can adjust for it. If i want an overall 30mm drop and the air-cups "take" 10mm, i just drop 40mm.

Still very interested. For me, i'd only need the front - so, cost lessened a bit ...

is this your car spidey,very nice if is,never new this type mr2 was in ireland,be interested in few details other pics on her if you dont mind,i suppose there prob is info somewhere on the forum about it,but would take me all week to find lol.

JOCK wrote:
is this your car spidey,very nice if is,never new this type mr2 was in ireland,be interested in few details other pics on her if you dont mind,i suppose there prob is info somewhere on the forum about it,but would take me all week to find lol.

Yes - it's a work in progress. Will eventually get the body and paint re-done and get it back it's former glory.

I'm afraid it's not in Ireland anymore I've moved over to Barcelona and brought my Spider with me.

Info here - most of it i got from two owners, one in France and one in the Netherlands

www.mr2.ie/mr2-forum/10-general/4791-inf...-the-trd-sw20-spider

Pieter in the Netherlands site below
www.mrtwee.nl/MyMR2.htm

Jhiss in France - he has a registry of where the cars are !
jhiss.blogspot.co.uk/p/mr-spider-registery.html

My own car below

_KUNENA_BBCODE_HIDEIMG

You are correct in saying that you can allow for the fitment of the air-cups to the coilover.

This section explains how it works. www.stanceparts.com/air-cup-lift-system/

Getting back to the air conditioner pipes, there is a seal kit from Four Seasons, the kit product number is 26750. It's for the rev2 so I can't say how useful it would be to your car.

Thanks, Marty

Interesting how the cups fit. So, no real height impact : ) Or if there is, it'll be minimal.

First, i'll make a decision on the height adjustment and then come back to the aircon.

If i went coilovers, i'm near €900 for even the cheap BC Coilovers. And then €800 for the air-cup kit !

I'm thinking H&R 20mm progressive springs - €200 delivered isn't bad. Best case, they raise my car enough. Worst case, i need to sell them on. maybe sell on for €150 as barely used - so, €50 lost and then think about coilovers.

If only there was a Border front with retractable lower lip

I agree, €1700 is a lot to spend to get around the problem you have.

Good luck with which ever way you go about sorting it out.

Hi rob,
A guy in local motor factors gave me this number for Oscars garage when i asked about getting my A/C regassed... might be worth giving them a call,....
www.google.ie/webhp?sourceid=chrome-inst...20garage%20glasnevin

Oscars garage 087 7408860
T

Buenas tardes (An)Tony(o)

I'm afraid I made the move - over in BCN now!

When I'm visiting Ireland in the future, i don't reckon I'll be driving the 2 back. It was a tough enough journey. Probably moreso because i squeezed it into 2 days. Should have really spread it over 3 dsys and took my time

Rob

b4ss wrote:
Hi rob,
A guy in local motor factors gave me this number for Oscars garage when i asked about getting my A/C regassed... might be worth giving them a call,....
www.google.ie/webhp?sourceid=chrome-inst...20garage%20glasnevin

Oscars garage 087 7408860
T

Ordered the BC Racing coilovers.

Need any special tools to remove old struts/springs and fit coilovers?

19, 17, 14, 12, 10mm spanners and sockets for the struts, pliers / screwdriver for the brake hoses. Torque ratchet for tightening everything back up to spec.

Then wheel alignment, that's the most important thing once you have it all done.

slipsliderg wrote:
19, 17, 14, 12, 10mm spanners and sockets for the struts, pliers / screwdriver for the brake hoses. Torque ratchet for tightening everything back up to spec.

Then wheel alignment, that's the most important thing once you have it all done.

All the above plus WD40 and a tapemeasure.

Take a before and after photo for us.

Thanks

When i was driving over, i was packing in a hurry. So, grabbed various tools in bags. have a varied set of tools

Might be a great justification - pay someone to fit the coilovers or get a new set !

I prob have those spanners etc but they may not be shiny anymore ....

Spidey wrote:
Ordered the BC Racing coilovers.

Need any special tools to remove old struts/springs and fit coilovers?

Cool!

I recommend an air or electric rattle gun and WD40

Take a look at the How Two I wrote for my Tein install: www.mr2.ie/mr2-forum/28-how-twos/30743-h...eet-coilover-install