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Author Topic: Curious about E36 a/c compressor..  (Read 6710 times)

dude8383

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Curious about E36 a/c compressor..
« on: July 05, 2006, 07:35:46 PM »
In the GRM issue where the guys install the supercharger kit into the 318is, they use the E36 a/c compressor because it frees up some space for piping. Now, im curious if there are any advantages to installing a smaller unit.

My take on it is that it will probably be more efficient since it will be coming from a newer car...and possibly weigh less than the current compressor.

Anyone ever done this?
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M42boy

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Curious about E36 a/c compressor..
« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2006, 10:38:31 PM »
Supposedly it's a bolt on...  but the reason they did it, is because they needed a 'serpentine' belt so they could run the pulley system on the supercharger (since it was really designed for an E36 series car) and also you have to change out to an M44 crank pulley.  

The unit is smaller and neater.  Probably a nice upgrade, but remember, the newer cars are 134A vs R12, so you would probably be replacing a lot of other lines, taps and things like that.

Fortunately, my car was upgraded to R134A by the previous owner, so I could easily bump up to this compressor.
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Deutschbag

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Curious about E36 a/c compressor..
« Reply #2 on: July 05, 2006, 11:55:41 PM »
Could someone post a link to this article about the DASC kit in the e30? I've been hearing about it all over the various e30 forums.
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dude8383

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Curious about E36 a/c compressor..
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2006, 12:52:54 AM »
Quote from: M42boy
Supposedly it's a bolt on...  but the reason they did it, is because they needed a 'serpentine' belt so they could run the pulley system on the supercharger (since it was really designed for an E36 series car) and also you have to change out to an M44 crank pulley.  

The unit is smaller and neater.  Probably a nice upgrade, but remember, the newer cars are 134A vs R12, so you would probably be replacing a lot of other lines, taps and things like that.

Fortunately, my car was upgraded to R134A by the previous owner, so I could easily bump up to this compressor.


my car has also been converted r134a...i recharged mine a couple of days ago...ICE cold A/C FTW!

Right on with the serpentine belt...they were quite happy that everything lined up perfectly!

Im just curious if anyone has tried it and seen improved mileage with the smaller unit.
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dude8383

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Curious about E36 a/c compressor..
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2006, 12:53:41 AM »
Quote from: Deutschbag
Could someone post a link to this article about the DASC kit in the e30? I've been hearing about it all over the various e30 forums.


i think its floating around somewhere on the forum...do a search for it! OR...if i were you i'd buy the article. Its only like $5.
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sheepdog

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Curious about E36 a/c compressor..
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2006, 12:07:10 PM »
I can check and see if there is a size difference, I have one sitting on the shop floor.  GRM did change it so they could use the serpentine belt. No other reason.

As for size/weight compared to the e30, I will take a look, it seems a bit smaller, weight-wise, you may lose 2 pounds maybe, just a guess.

It is not a complete bolt in as GRM says. You cannot just stick it on and fill it with R12, the mix of r134 lubricant and R12 lubricant will eat the seals in your system.

You need to convert the entire system to one type ane make damn sure it the other lubricant not being used is completely removed. Make damn sure to replace the de-humidifier.



Personally, I would like to see if you can just swap pulleys. Asking us to change compressors is a bit much, reason being is getting A/C work done, especially involving R12, gets expensive VERY fast.
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dude8383

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Curious about E36 a/c compressor..
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2006, 01:23:59 PM »
dude the cars a/c system has long been converted to r134a. In the GRM issue they say the only issue for complete fitment was the pulley, which they switched with ease.
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sheepdog

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Curious about E36 a/c compressor..
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2006, 07:41:01 PM »
Quote from: dude8383
dude the cars a/c system has long been converted to r134a. In the GRM issue they say the only issue for complete fitment was the pulley, which they switched with ease.

Not everyone's has been converted, and in the article they swap the entire compressor, not just the pulley.

I think the compressors are different, but the pulleys may interchange. I will know more about the compressor this weekend.

And there was more than just the pulley they swapped as well, they did a brake resevoir swap, fuel rail swap, and a few other things have to be altered changed or removed. In AFM is not even in the stock location anymore.
« Last Edit: July 06, 2006, 07:43:43 PM by sheepdog »
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rob1035

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Curious about E36 a/c compressor..
« Reply #8 on: July 06, 2006, 09:53:55 PM »
buy the issue, its a great magazine, one of the few....
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dude8383

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Curious about E36 a/c compressor..
« Reply #9 on: July 07, 2006, 12:04:12 PM »
Quote from: sheepdog
Not everyone's has been converted, and in the article they swap the entire compressor, not just the pulley.

I think the compressors are different, but the pulleys may interchange. I will know more about the compressor this weekend.

And there was more than just the pulley they swapped as well, they did a brake resevoir swap, fuel rail swap, and a few other things have to be altered changed or removed. In AFM is not even in the stock location anymore.


i dont think that the brake resevoir and the fuel rail had anything to do with switching the compressors. I know the unit is smaller...my question is will it run more efficiently than older units.
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sheepdog

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Curious about E36 a/c compressor..
« Reply #10 on: July 07, 2006, 05:02:05 PM »
Quote from: dude8383
i dont think that the brake resevoir and the fuel rail had anything to do with switching the compressors. I know the unit is smaller...my question is will it run more efficiently than older units.
Yes.
It was made for r134 therefore meant to push the higher pressures, also it is more modern, usually meaning more efficient.

How much more and is it worth bothering with I cannot say.
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dude8383

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Curious about E36 a/c compressor..
« Reply #11 on: July 07, 2006, 07:57:01 PM »
Quote from: sheepdog
Yes.
It was made for r134 therefore meant to push the higher pressures, also it is more modern, usually meaning more efficient.

How much more and is it worth bothering with I cannot say.


im asking because my friend got into an accident a little while ago and it was a 97 318i...so i may consider swapping in the newer unit.
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sheepdog

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Curious about E36 a/c compressor..
« Reply #12 on: July 07, 2006, 09:55:38 PM »
Quote from: dude8383
im asking because my friend got into an accident a little while ago and it was a 97 318i...so i may consider swapping in the newer unit.

I think it would not be a bad idea, except for by the time you get it done, it will take years to recover the investment (vacuum, change compressor, refil vs. gas mileage lost while using the A/C). When not on it is just a bearing'd pulley.
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thumper3ld

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Curious about E36 a/c compressor..
« Reply #13 on: July 07, 2006, 10:47:59 PM »
Man, be a man like me and just not have ac. Its a race car damnit, and Im too cheap to get mine fixed. :)
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silverblades181

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Curious about E36 a/c compressor..
« Reply #14 on: July 07, 2006, 11:08:41 PM »
Quote from: thumper3ld
Man, be a man like me and just not have ac. Its a race car damnit, and Im too cheap to get mine fixed. :)


Weight saving FTW!! lol I removed mine because it wasn't working. Roomier engine bay aswell :D
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E30 318is 1991 (Diamantschwartz) - Parts car
E30 318is 1991 (Brilliantrot)
Bayerisch Motoren Werke
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