R134a retro fit questions? May 20, 2005, 11:50:27 PM I just converted my 84 turbo coupe to R134a. I put 24oz of R134a in it and 8oz of ester oil. Any how It doesn't get near as cold as it did with r12. I talked to one shop and they told me that you should put 80% R134a in there compared to how much R12. Well according to what I can find the factory said 40oz of R12 so that would mean 32zo of R134a if my math is right. They only problem is the guy that put the the R134a in there told showed me the gauge and told me that we are right were we need to be as far as pressure. That was right about 45psi. So who is right and if the 45psi is right should I add so prefomance boosters such as (maxi cool or Arictic Freeze)? Has anyone used them and how did they work? Just want to know so I can get it into top cooling shape for the hot days ahead Quote Selected
Re: R134a retro fit questions? Reply #1 – May 21, 2005, 12:14:58 AM R134A is not as efficient as R12 when put in an R12 system. 134A systems have larger condensers with more fins to make up for the difference in efficiency.At 70 degrees ambient temperature your high side readings would be in the 150-175 PSI range. The low side should be 40-50 PSI. These are the R12 readings, of course - 134a will be different. Quote Selected
Re: R134a retro fit questions? Reply #2 – May 21, 2005, 12:30:19 AM Quote from: Thunder ChickenR134A is not as efficient as R12 when put in an R12 system. 134A systems have larger condensers with more fins to make up for the difference in efficiency.I heard you put in an R134a condenser in your car. I still want pics! :D Quote Selected
Re: R134a retro fit questions? Reply #3 – May 21, 2005, 12:42:05 AM Yeah, man!Well OK, it's not worthless.. and it doesn't have to be in this thread.. but I felt like using that. Quote Selected
Re: R134a retro fit questions? Reply #4 – May 21, 2005, 08:29:56 AM I forgot all about that - I'll try to snap some pics today, weather permitting Quote Selected
Re: R134a retro fit questions? Reply #5 – May 21, 2005, 11:27:25 AM OK, I took some pics, but I don't know how much good they'll do anyone - the car was kinda in the way of getting any real good shots. The pics I managed to get are below - I zoomed in on the fins so you can see how dense they are - when the new condenser was installed I do remember the thing had about twice as many fins as the old one. I also remember the high side line was difficult to connect because it was not a perfect fit (it had to be bent slightly, then the spring retainer was a problem): Quote Selected
Re: R134a retro fit questions? Reply #6 – May 21, 2005, 04:07:29 PM My main concern is the lower mounting points. I compared a '95 SN95 condenser to a Fox condenser today while at svopaul's shop. The mounting points for the SN95 are much farther apart than the Fox. Unless you made some modifications to the mounts, the SN95 condenser would rest on the fins and break (I would think). Quote Selected
Re: R134a retro fit questions? Reply #7 – May 21, 2005, 06:41:45 PM Ok, I'll have to take a pic of that - the rain has started so it'll have to wait. The condenser I got was an aftermarket unit, I forget the manufacturer, and it was for 89-93 Mustang and 90-92 Mark VII with 134A conversion or 94+ Mustang - I remember specificaly reading in the catalogue that it was for SN95 'Stangs and that it was for 134A refrigerant. I also remember having to buy this unit because the one listed for 88 and older Thunderbirds and Cougars was discontinued. The book did not cross reference, but I knew I could make a Mustang one work. Until you mentioned it I was unaware that the SN95 was any different, but I would not be surprised if the aftermarket catalogue at the shop was wrong - they've been wrong on many other things as well (such as stating that the TC hood was for 87-89 models).I also seem to remember that the high pressure line between the compressor and the condenser would not sit in the factory location (it would not sit close enough to the rad support to use the factory retainers) so it had to be "zip tied" in place. Of course this was an aftermarket hose as well... Quote Selected
Re: R134a retro fit questions? Reply #8 – May 23, 2005, 11:55:26 PM What catalogue was it? I've looked at partsamerica, rockauto, and motorcraft.com to try to cross-reference stuff. Although the 90-92 Mark VII and 89-93 used to have different part#s from earlier vehicles...all the part houses carry the same condenser for 82-93 Mustangs, 83-88 Tbirds, and all Mark VIIs. I'll post a spreadsheet with some dimensions and part #s tomorrow. Quote Selected
Re: R134a retro fit questions? Reply #9 – May 24, 2005, 09:10:43 AM I don't know what catalogue it was but I do know it was from a Canadian distibutor called "Cross Canada" - I bought some fenders from them for my old '87 and the Dakota as well. The Dakota fenders were high quality but the T-Bird fenders were very thin and did not fit well. They were all asian parts. Quote Selected
Re: R134a retro fit questions? Reply #10 – May 24, 2005, 11:14:23 AM Here's the condenser spreadsheet. (318k) Quote Selected
Re: R134a retro fit questions? Reply #11 – May 24, 2005, 02:48:23 PM Thunder Chicken, did your new condenser look like this?That is a Ready Aire condenser. It is a piccolo design (the same as SN95s), which is better than normal tube and fin condensers. Quote Selected
Re: R134a retro fit questions? Reply #12 – May 24, 2005, 03:13:10 PM I just took advantage of a bit of a break in the rain and went out and looked - the condenser is sitting in the proper mounts, so it is the proper width. It also appears to be a tube and fin design but with more tubes and fins than stock. I took another pic (of the end piece). Man, it's hard to take pics of once it's in the car! Quote Selected
R134a retro fit questions? Reply #13 – May 08, 2006, 03:47:38 PM An SN95 condenser will fit. Quote Selected
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