Heater and Aircon options

Robbie J

Robbie J

Club Member
For a 280Z

So we have been looking at using and converting the US aircon to RHD or buying new. We do have an RHD fan assembly and case I got from Japan but looking at all the connections and the vacuum controls it will likely be a lot of work besides a leak so it had very little refrigerant it did work

As the car is intended to be used I have the Aircon pump off the RB Engine I was thinking of using https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/heatac but what exact bits have people got?

Need the main unit
https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/compact-air-conditioning-kit
Dryer and bracket
https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/drier-for-air-con https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/drier-bracket
Control
https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/heater-aircon-control-panel
Condensing Rad
https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/condensing-radiator-380-x-360-x-50

then get a professional to plumb it in

Are we on the right track, I have seen few posts on others doing it but missing the detail to get the bits from the UK.

Help...
 
I am interested in people's views though as I fancy adding Aircon into mine, had some very hot drives this year!

Alot recommend the vintage air system but it's much more expensive so of this unit works and can't fit, it may be the better option!
 
Here is the evaporator unit that I have used in my car (also in the Rb25 car I built.)
Supplied by T7 design https://www.t7design.co.uk/3-2kw-compact-air-conditioning-heater-unit-55mm-12v-002-e7e-aad.html
This unit can be bought with or without a heater matrix.
It fits neatly behind the glove box in placed of the heater blower motor so retains original controls
Retaining the rb25 compressor will probably mean that you will have to use the original skyline hose ends
I had burgaflex make them up.
Rest of the set up is easy to marry up
 

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Robbie J said:
would the bigger one fit?
https://www.t7design.co.uk/6-65kw-a...air-conditioning-unit-60mm-12v-0300-0260.html
I presume more outputs give better screen defrost etc
Click to expand...

I borrowed an old unit to see if it would fit in my 240. I got it in but it was tight and you would have to remove the standard heater controls (which I have done anyway). The smaller unit that I bought from T7 if fine for me because I don't want the complexity of AC.

Don't forget that a unit might fit but the ducting takes up a lot of space. I also removed (cut off) the pressed-steel bar that surrounds the radio (I don't have a radio). That gave more space. here are some pics of the 3 units - Large, standard and smaller.
20200508_133351.jpg 20200508_133402.jpg 20200508_133413.jpg 20200508_135226.jpg 20200512_101457.jpg 20200701_165501.jpg 20200610_172859.jpg
 
Robbie J said:
would the bigger one fit?
https://www.t7design.co.uk/6-65kw-a...air-conditioning-unit-60mm-12v-0300-0260.html
I presume more outputs give better screen defrost etc
Click to expand...

I used the same T7 Design one as Fairlineguy and converted it to a single out to feed the OEM heater box in the same place as the fan used to feed.
This allows the original air distribution system to function the same as before.
I also used one of their Bowden cables to operate the water valve from the OEM heat control.
 
Fairlineguy said:
They do the same size unit without the heater matrix (just a/c)
It has a greater a/c output this is the one I currently have as I’ve retained the original heater matrix
The nice thing with unit is it fits neatly behind the glovebox blowing into the original heater box
Click to expand...

Can you use just the fan if you don't want AC then?

Thanks
 
Mark N said:
I used the same T7 Design one as Fairlineguy and converted it to a single out to feed the OEM heater box in the same place as the fan used to feed.
This allows the original air distribution system to function the same as before.
I also used one of their Bowden cables to operate the water valve from the OEM heat control.
Click to expand...
Any pics of this Mark please?

I'm interested as my heater was disconnected by the PO and I have reservations about hooking an unused old matrix up only to have it leak everywhere
 
Fairlineguy said:
Here is the evaporator unit that I have used in my car (also in the Rb25 car I built.)
Click to expand...

Hi Neil. In reference to your RB25 build, please may I ask that you PM me the sale price - I seem to remember seeing £30-ish ?

I have a 240Z w/out A/C and a 1978 280Z with but on R12.........I'd like to ask your help and advice how best to have good, functionning hot and cold aircon in both please.

Cheers.
 
I replaced the whole unit because I wanted the space behind the console for wiring. I also had a leaking water valve and the whole new unit wasn't much more than the Nissan valve.

My original unit was ok but so big and clunky however it is a work of art compared to UK cars of the time. I'd fitted a Honda fan motor (slight mod need to the hamster cage and wiring - reverse polarity for correct rotation) and got a good blast but when I took it all out to do my wiring mods I just thought it was so complicated and took up so much space.
 
Makesy said:
Any pics of this Mark please?

I'm interested as my heater was disconnected by the PO and I have reservations about hooking an unused old matrix up only to have it leak everywhere
Click to expand...

I cut out the front of the box leaving a flange that I bonded and riveted the new panel and outlet onto.
I can't remember the size of the outlet but I think it may have been the 102mm (judging by the size relative to the front panel), which is about 72% more flow path than the two 55mm.
I got it from here:
https://www.revotec.com/acatalog/Air-Outlets1.html

IMG_0277.jpg

I bolted the water valve to the top of the unit and used the T7 Bowden cable to operate it from the OEM sliding control.
The T7 fan is three speed, the same as OEM, and can be wired to the original controls.

IMG_0290.jpg

thumb_IMG_0354_1024.jpg

The old feed for the OEM fan is blocked off and air is only circulated internally.
 
Mark N said:
I cut out the front of the box leaving a flange that I bonded and riveted the new panel and outlet onto.
I can't remember the size of the outlet but I think it may have been the 102mm (judging by the size relative to the front panel), which is about 72% more flow path than the two 55mm.
I got it from here:
https://www.revotec.com/acatalog/Air-Outlets1.html

View attachment 42743

I bolted the water valve to the top of the unit and used the T7 Bowden cable to operate it from the OEM sliding control.
The T7 fan is three speed, the same as OEM, and can be wired to the original controls.

View attachment 42745

View attachment 42746

The old feed for the OEM fan is blocked off and air is only circulated internally.
Click to expand...

The pipe arrowed looks like it is deforming/starting to crease from the bend radius?

IMG_z.jpg
 
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