I'd just like to ask, has anyone had experience with airconditioning in older VW's (beetles, combi's) and if its effective or even practical. I know its possible from reading a bit from Joel's "Subabeetle" thread, and im just a bit wondersome about the whole idea. I tried looking for a thread about this but couldnt find one (feel free to link me if one does exist)

Thanks in advance

Ryan

My experience is that it is not necessary.

it was easy with mine cos the subi engine already has the compresssor on it but its not hard with a vw engine, im noticing more and more at shows with it fitted

theres a bug getting around here with factory A/C but its pretty hopeless system ,the old 70s york compressors were a one size fits all deal, the same thing in little vws that was used in huge fairlanes and statesmans and they really used to load up little vw engines

main problem in a bug is finding somewhere for the condensor that has enough room to fit the right size and good air flow

modern rotary R143a compressors are alot more effeient so dont load the engine up

its not a cheap option, im looking at around $500 just for all the hoses, starting from scratch you still need a compressor, evap, condensor etc
might be cheaper to import one of the kits from the states like gilmores

http://www.gilmore-enterprises.net/main.html 

Thanks Joel and hellbus, i thought those were some of the difficulties with installing a system. I've seen the power a compresser can suck even from a modern EFI engine (Mazda 626), not sure how serious it would be a with a small 1600 engine, but im getting ahead of myself anyway. Thanks for the imput

I have it, it's awesome, do it

Although I have the V6 to move the compressor.

Gold Coast VeeDub at Labrador do A/C installs on old veedubs

id like more info on this, the last two weeks in darwin have been 35 degrees and humid as anything so if theres a kit floating around in aus please let me know

Have you tried those little flap windows? = Captian Obvious

Note - David Birchall must be in transit from Warwick at this point and cant add a comment, so I will chime in for him

I have seen Boris at Vintage Vee Dub doing an install on an old Beetle. Try them.

Depends where you are Ryan ?? You now have a couple of options.

Kev

When it's close to 37 degrees or hotter those little flap windows just make you hotter as the air is hotter than your body. They also don't do anything in traffic.

worth a call to gold coast vw they have installed quite a few.should be able to answer all your questions

Thanks again for all input
I live in Hervey Bay, which is basically the middle of nowhere for buying/getting ANY cars, or accessories

Thanks

i've been trying to search for air con in beetles... there isnt much info or pics up on here..

it would be nice,but i really couldn't be bothered with it.its just another thing to worry about.
but if done the right way they can be excellent.

fair bit of stuff available in the US, particularlly the full installation kits, unfortunately the under-dash evaporator module is designed for left hand drive cars. One major item is the compressor mounting brackets and they are available as a kit from businesses such as ISP West etc. So that saves major time and hassle designing and building your own brackets. Mexican beetles had it as a factory option, so theres a lead. The lower nose panel on later US models had the wide grill, I assume that was for the condensor air flow but I have never seen a picture of what mounts behind the grill.

As for the under dash evaporator unit is there an item that people have used successfully in Australia?

Some of you may be interested but I found a simple bodgy version a while back of how to cool your car cheaply.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Portable-12V-Air-Conditioner---Cheap-and-easy!/ 

It would be nice to see a thread about the actual install of an A/C system but I havnt seen one.
Perhaps there's somthing on The Samba?..... Ill go check

Over and out

At 125 bhp (93 kW; 127 PS) the 1.8L Astra has over twice the power as the humble VW 1600. Yes a more efficient compressor helps, so does twice the horsepower.

Try a Datsun 120 auto with air!

even that would whoop the ass of a 3cyl 543cc suzuki mightboy/alto with A/C and a 2 speed auto

one wonders why something so rediculous was ever created

I have heard of people using compressors from 12volt fridge/freezer. a Danfos or something like that. pop into springers and ask them.