MSA a/c kit.. anyone have experience with it?

[Dreco]

I saw that MSA had an A/C kit for 240Z's. My Z never had a/c. anyone have any feed back on this kit? is it hard to install??.. I've been thinking of doing an engine swap in the near future, and would like a/c. thought when I do the swap I can just adapt this kit to the compressor that comes with whatever engine I put in... looking for any comments on this...

-dave

[dk240z]

Dave

Check out Courtesy Nissan. They have one for $795. Looks very good at that price. Come up and see me in Denton. Later

David K

[sblake01]

I think that the hardest part of the installation would be fitting the evaporator under the dash. Having had the experience of changing the evaporator in the Z (dealer installed) and the 810 (factory installed), I can imagine that installing one would be harder. Installing the condensor, compressor, receiver/drier, double row crank pulley (if you don't already have one), and routng the lines shouldn't be that tedious. However, as an certified MVAC tech, I have had some experience with a/c systems.

[dogma420]

I'd get the courtesy Nissan A/C kit. This is the one that was installed on Factory cars that had AC when they were referbished, I thought.

[sblake01]

Is that the A.R.A. system? Sankyo compressor, etc.?

[Dreco]

I just know I want the R134a not the R-12. and I want it to be cold...

[ezzzzzzz]

I want A/C too. The earlier dealer kits used the York compressor. The Courtesy and MSA kits use the Sankyo compressor. It is the better choice as it is less efficent at idle but draws a lot less hp off the engine at idle too. It is also much smoother in operation. The compressors come in different displacements. I don't know what these kits use. R134 is very efficent and cheaper than R12. The condensor (as big as practical) and evap orifice MUST be designed for R134. Conversions don't do the job if not properly designed. I've run a 9 c.i. in my early Land Rover (with NO insulation at all) and it took the edge off when on the NC beaches in July/August. I'm thinking of fabbing my own A/C again but using an evaporator from OldAir or VintageAir. It isn't all that difficult if the compressor/pulley brackets are available. Back to the original question, I'd also like someone firsthand experience with one of the complete kits!

[Zulaytr]

My car has the Courtesy Nissan A/C system in it. This kit is very easy to install. I did not have to add a new crank pulley as it some kits require because it uses the same belt that runs the smog pump (if you still have one). The evaporator bolts very easily to the bottom of the heater box. You do not have to remove the dash to install it just he glove box. As far as cooling it works fine, although I live in So Cal so outside temperatures are not as extreme as Tx. One other thing that I liked with the Courtesy unit was the hose connections. All the hoses have actual fittings on them not a bare hose with a band clamp. While the band clamps may work fine, I just think the fittings give it a better quality look and application.

As mentioned above the new rotary compressors that are in the kits today are far more efficient regarding the drag on the engine. Cooling drops off a under 1500-2000 but unless your in alot of traffic it should not be a problem.

Good luck with it and hopefully I can check out your fine looking ride at the Z convention next year in Dallas.

Bob

[Dreco]

does anyone have the nissan part number for this kit?

[dkd021]

When you ordered your kit from Courtesy, did any type of installation instructions & an inventory list come with it?

[Dreco]

they have them in stock, 795 dollars, 595 for labor to install. I've never messed with A/C. not sure I want to tackle this one.