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Starting from scratch - Looking for advice

LanceVance on Sat July 06, 2013 5:00 PM User is offlineView users profile

Year: 1975
Make: Datsun
Model: 280z
Engine Size: 2.8
Refrigerant Type: R134
Ambient Temp: 105

Hi!

I've been lurking through this forum for a while, but I only just registered today in order to post my situation.

Anyhow, I've got a 1975 Datsun 280Z that is mostly going to be used for racing. It has been stripped out, and the motor has been turbocharged. This is far from being a stock car!

Lately we've been having 100°+ days, and I've finally broken down and decided that the car NEEDS A/C. However, I would like to avoid using any vintage air or similar set up. This car has been thuroughly modernized and the American hotrod / muscle car set ups they sell just won't look right in this car. I'm really hoping for something with modern digital (Don't want vacuum, or cable controlled) controlls, and an all in one unit (controlls/evaporator etc, all together) that can fit under my dash.

Looking for something like this:

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This is from a Nissan Quest minivan (2010 I think?) I don't know anything about the A/C set up under dash, but this rental had the perfect small/clean/simple/modern controls I want.

I'm planning on running a Hitachi compressor for an 1982 280ZX, as this is the motor I'm currently using.

Condenser wise, I'm planning on using a Mazda 626 unit as these are perfectly sized, and won't interfere with my existing intercooler or radiator set ups.

I would like to run R134 simply for its availability, but I'm not sure about the compressor (going reman) using it?

All lines would be custom made by the shop that has done all the other plumbing bits for this car (typically they are priced low, and do quality work).



If anyone could offer me advice, or reasons why anything I mentioned wouldn't work please let me know!

Thanks in advance,

-Marcus

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1975 Datsun 280Z - L28ET Swap w/ lots of mods

94RX-7 on Sun July 07, 2013 11:23 AM User is offline

Trying to adapt an OEM control setup to your car is going to be a hell of a chore. It can be done, but it will be A LOT of work, and you'd need to be both a fabrication and electronics guru.

Have you seen these controls from Dakota Digital? http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=results/Category_ID=337/home_id=59/mode=cat/cat337.htm

You should use a parallel flow condenser if you can find one that fits, it'll perform much better. I'm guessing the 626 unit is a serpentine design?

LanceVance on Mon July 08, 2013 2:33 AM User is offlineView users profile

I wasn't aware there were companies producing aftermarket controls for aftermarket AC systems! Seems like an awfully narrow market to go after, but that looks like it could be modified to work for me. I'll have to look into it some more.

Regarding the 626 condenser, it is in fact a parallel flow design, and fits like a glove. It's almost as though the engineer who designed it drove a Z and had ulterior motives...

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1975 Datsun 280Z - L28ET Swap w/ lots of mods

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