Air Conditioning

[boostmaster]

I have reviewed the installation post but I have not been able to find the answer to my particular question.

I was wondering if the A/C components from any other car are compatible with my 88lx or if I'm stuck searching for A/C parts from that car only.

[25Horseplay]

You might be able to use A/C componants from most Festivas, but the wiring would most likely need to come from a 88-89 carb'd car. As for other cars, I have heard of some people useing Aspire A/C and even Mazda 323 stuff but I cannot verify that myself.

[Twistiva]

You might be able to use A/C componants from most Festivas, but the wiring would most likely need to come from a 88-89 carb'd car. As for other cars, I have heard of some people useing Aspire A/C and even Mazda 323 stuff but I cannot verify that myself.

So when installing A/C, why does the wiring have to come from an identical Festiva?, i.e., carb'd to carb'd or FI to FI?

[bravekozak]

Factory carb A/C has a different wiring harness (+ A/C amplifier) than an Factory EFI A/C. So, yes.

Also, factory A/C uses 3 relays and dealer A/C uses 2 relays. Dealer relays are mounted on the R/H firewall. Factory relays are mounted below the L/H headlamp.

Since I ditched my computer, I had to wire power from the A/C switch to my vacuum idle up solenoid. I re-purposed the good old barometric pressure wire.

So, if I decide to drive to Denver, I will advance my timing slightly with a wrench.

Just so you know, you cannot join a factory cabin A/C wiring harness to a dealer engine A/C wiring harness. Different join points + different connectors + different number of wires.

The most accurate factory A/C wiring diagram I have found (that matches all wire colors) is in the 89 schematic.

[Twistiva]

Brave -

Thanks a bunch for answering my question.

Pls be patient with me, guys, cuz I know I'm gonna have a lot more air conditioning questions even after researching this stuff.

[Chobobulous]

You might be able to use A/C componants from most Festivas, but the wiring would most likely need to come from a 88-89 carb'd car. As for other cars, I have heard of some people useing Aspire A/C and even Mazda 323 stuff but I cannot verify that myself.

Im thinking about seeing if I can graft the Mazda 323 stuff into the festiva. I like the way the hoses are run. Works better for my application.

[bravekozak]

One additional thing I forgot to mention. The automatic high pressure A/C switch has four terminals. The manual switch has only two terminals. There are slight differences in the A/C wiring, depending on the transmission used.

[htchbck]

Chobob I did an A/C install on my '93GL using 323 lines, Festiva Evap and Condensor and a Protege (I think) compressor. I probably have some pics somewhere, but I wouldn't know where to start digging for them. Most of the stuff from the Mazda B series cars can be interchanged, just have to make sure you have the right connections at the compressor. Some are bolt on manifolds, some have flanges and nuts on the lines. The Escort stuff is pretty different, since it was mostly Ford design. But Festiva, 323 and Protege are all fairly similar, just have to play around with them and see what works and what doesn't.

[F3BZ]

the only 2 A/C components that your kinda "stuck" having to use or find is the festiva compressor and evaporator. everything else - receiver/dryer, condenser, fan, pressure switches, hoses can come from other cars. hoses can be custom made with bulk refrigerant hose and fittings and adapters from NAPA or other suppliers and routed almost anyway you want (except very near exhaust parts). the refrigerant doesn't care as long as it is made to follow the path of superheated high pressure gas from the compressor discharge through the condenser to cool to a liquid state, then to the metering valve before entering the evaporator where it absorbs the heat from the interior, changing it to a low pressure gas that is sucked back to the compressor to start all over.

[htchbck]

F3BZ I have used both Protege and 323 compressors, as well as an Aspire compressor once.

[F3BZ]

i believe it, given the mazda gene pool and similar block architecture. i just said "kinda" stuck in an effort to keep it simple for novice mechanics but maybe those comps are a bolt-in. i never tried it. a problem could arise using a comp that has too much capacity but i doubt those do. even the evap isn't a lock. there's probably enough room under the dash for some enterprising Eskimo to sub in an evap from a Towncar, Navigator, etc. upscale the other components and you can have the coolest car in da hood.

[ralph89891]

I'm planning on putting the a/c unit from my 88 carb into my 91 efi, just to clarify I would need the harness from an efi to make this work, everything else is the same?

[bravekozak]

I'm planning on putting the a/c unit from my 88 carb into my 91 efi, just to clarify I would need the harness from an efi to make this work, everything else is the same?

A/C harnesses are stand alone. Take the entire 88 carb A/C harness, compressor, condenser, evaporator, pressure lines, etc. and transplant them in your 91 EFI.

[ralph89891]

A/C harnesses are stand alone. Take the entire 88 carb A/C harness, compressor, condenser, evaporator, pressure lines, etc. and transplant them in your 91 EFI.

Ok thanks!!!


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[TorqueEffect]

I wonder. Has anyone managed to get A/C to work with a BP swap? Because A/C is the only thing really keeping me from doing a BP swap ATM.