Fitting a used A/C system into my Spider

[randiego]

Big Question for experienced auto A/C techs.

The purchase of the used equipment and the cost of refurbishing it is the big question.

Purchasing used A/C equipment and depending on what it needs, i.e. compressor, blower motor, evaporator, condenser, filter/dryer, txv valve, switches, hoses, etc., etc. Does it pay to try to stay with older equipment that used the excellent R12 freon vs. the new R134? For a fact the 134 is less efficient than the old R12. rebuilding an older system can be very expensive. Add that to the cost of the purchase of the system and it can be prohibitive.

I have not messed with A/C equipment since I sold off my evac. system 15 years ago. I know that there are systems that are made today that they profess to be "good systems". Has anyone had experience with the new ones on the market today?
Have any of you bought a used system and installed it in your Spider? Any help on this topic would be of great help.

Randiego

[Warren]

Several years ago I had purchased a used R12 system from my local Birmingham AL used Fiat parts dealer (Matthews Auto Parts who is on Ebay). I never put it in as decided to go ahead and install a new R-134a system made by Factory Air Corporation in Texas as they had just reduced price (present price is $1100). I sold the old stuff back to Matthews. The biggest difference I saw was the much larger R-134a condenser which fits behind the front grill. This system will output a lot of cold air and has been trouble-free; it just doesn't work well at highway speeds as so much leakage around the convertible top but will keep you ok below 95 F. No problems with overheating radiator either.

Below is a recent article on installation on the mirafiori website. I have some installation tips and photos also so if interested email me at whhopson@southernco.com. I had to trim some sheet metal in the front to get the condenser in but looks good.

http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/AC/ac.htm

[baltobernie]

Another option:

[Gunsmith]

Bernie I didn't know you spent time in Miami?

[bradartigue]

This system will output a lot of cold air and has been trouble-free; it just doesn't work well at highway speeds as so much leakage around the convertible top but will keep you ok below 95 F.

Sounds like it works as well as the stock system (which was actually not stock as you know). They all leaked out at high speeds, but at least they keep your window demisted on a humid day!