No Air = more power

[snyder2338]

I am looking to get rid of the air conditioner compressor (less strain on motor) and looking to know the best way to do so. Is there a special belt I need to buy or add a pulley. Thanks in advance.

[rabbitnothopper]

which car?
Vehicles
1993/Collectors Edition Cab/5 speed

??

dont do it.....you need that stuff if you want your car to be worth money

want MOAR POWERRRR?
upgrade the whole engine instead

BEST thing to do is disconnect the belt and the electronics off the compressor
that way any "next owners" can fix the a/c really quickly.......and cheaply...


just saying

[snyder2338]

When you say upgrade engine, are you refering to new cam, fuel injection sytem, or replacement of engine? I am debating what makes the most sense, if I am looking to gain torque and hp. I amnot looking to dump a ton of money into her but enough to make her a bit more entertaining.

[CajunSpike]

Slide down to the engine section to read up on the typical 1.8 upgrades.


http://www.cabby-info.com/engine.htm

[hyperlightboards48]

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...t=a%2Fc+delete

[They_Call_Me_Bob]

which car?
Vehicles
1993/Collectors Edition Cab/5 speed

??

dont do it.....you need that stuff if you want your car to be worth money

want MOAR POWERRRR?
upgrade the whole engine instead

BEST thing to do is disconnect the belt and the electronics off the compressor
that way any "next owners" can fix the a/c really quickly.......and cheaply...


just saying

I agree, especially is the system is intact and functioning. I've always been curious, how much power does the AC atually steal while the clutch is not engaged; ie the system off?

I think these cars become real fun when you get a proper suspension, with sway/strut bars. It is much more fun to me taking the corners quickly than blowing away someone at a stop light.

Either way, Put a cam in, 2" full exhaust with 4-2-1 header sans cat, minor head work while you have the head off, call it a day until the Engine dies; then swap an ABA in.

[CabbyScott]

I yanked my AC out over the winter as it didn't work anyways but even if it did I still would've taking it out. Who needs AC in a convertible? I've never said to myself, "It's TOO nice out, I need to put the top up."

It made a very noticeable difference in the acceleration in every gear. My fiance even notices the difference from the passenger seat. I can quickly pass people and I don't need to downshift to go up hills anymore. It's a blast to drive and now if I really get on it I can even get a tiny squeak from the tires going into 2nd.

Now I did change the plugs, wires, cap and rotor at the same time so that probably contributed to it but I recommend doing it.

Definitely worth it to me.

[hyperlightboards48]

^my thoughts exactly! down to the chirping into second gear

[DEGS]

AC is stupid on a convertible! If you had a choice to take off your shirt or spin a lever to move a propeller when it's 100+ degrees; what option would you choose? With that being said; I own an '87, they are plentiful to say the least.

[They_Call_Me_Bob]

I used my AC this morning when it was raining out, about 80 degrees and 90% humidity. Glad I had it or I'd be a sweaty mess when I got to work.

If the car see's daily use, its useful to have AC. Unless you live in Arizona and don't mind a tan, or the like, not everyday is convertible day.

I chose my Cabby over another because it had AC. To each his own I suppose.

[doober80]

tear the ac out and get the water pump, crank and alt. pullies from a non ac car. then go to your local parts store and ask for the belts for a non ac cabriloet.

[vdubbugman53]

ever sat in traffic at 105deg? I will be fixing my AC asap....and with the AC off there is no way in hell you will feel the difference. it is like an 85 hp motor...I don't care if it was just the shell....you would still need to downshift to pass. i say keep the AC for when you need the shade and cool air.

when i got my MK4 2.0 chipped I couldn't tell...so again no way will you notice an AC pulley no longer there even if you include the weight of that stuff not there.

[hyperlightboards48]

and with the AC off there is no way in hell you will feel the difference. it is like an 85 hp motor...I don't care if it was just the shell....you would still need to downshift to pass.

I noticed quite a big difference, it is possible that it was due to my compressor being worn out and dragging.

But again here's a whole thread of people that say they noticed a difference
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...t=a%2Fc+delete

[doober80]

ever sat in traffic at 105deg? I will be fixing my AC asap....and with the AC off there is no way in hell you will feel the difference. it is like an 85 hp motor...I don't care if it was just the shell....you would still need to downshift to pass. i say keep the AC for when you need the shade and cool air.

when i got my MK4 2.0 chipped I couldn't tell...so again no way will you notice an AC pulley no longer there even if you include the weight of that stuff not there.

why does everyone on the internet act like their opinion matters?

[87Cabriolet]

Why do people on the Internet ask for peoples opinions, and when they get one or see one they don't like or mutually share, they say what makes you think your opinion matters?

Removing AC will reduce some weight. Which probably would make the car a touch quicker. I personally don't feel that the AC steals much of any power when the clutch is not engaged. Its nothing more than a heavy idler pulley then. Of course when its running it definetly takes power.

Either way, I live in Arizona. Its 115 degrees in the summer. I want AC. The thing for you to decide is if you can deal with no AC. And some people can.

To answer the OP's question even though it already was answered. Just remove the AC. And get the NON AC pulleys from another car. Then the new belts.

[snyder2338]

Thanks for all the opinions, this is what makes this forum so good. I will probably pull the AC, because my goal is to take off any unwanted weight (I live in the northeast) to gain torque/HP (I am replacing the cam, fuel injectors, and adding altering the air intake) I already have a 4-2-1 stainless steel exhaust. It should be noted that the AC is not working at this point and I have no idea why. I have only owned the car for 2 months.

[Dragonwing]

Just to throw this into the mix: I was thinking about stripping the A/C from Nimbus this season. And then I remembered all those miserable 'fun' top-down days with my MGB back in the '80s when hours on the road to get to a show would leave the tops of my legs, the tops of my arms and my forehead quite lobster-looking and me and my companion a sweaty, crabby mess. In my world, top-down driving is absolutely perfect for early mornings, evening-into-night, and anytime in the Fall. Mid-summer mid-day in traffic? Not so much. Frankly, the best thing Leyland did was to include a zip-out rear window in the later-model Bs, which, even with the top up, gave great air flow without cooking yourself. Hmmmm, I wonder if a zip-out window could be plumbed into a Rabbit top? Gonna have to look at this, a bit. But I'm keeping the air, anyway. I deserve to be comfortable.

DW

[briano1234]

Just to throw this into the mix: I was thinking about stripping the A/C from Nimbus this season. And then I remembered all those miserable 'fun' top-down days with my MGB back in the '80s when hours on the road to get to a show would leave the tops of my legs, the tops of my arms and my forehead quite lobster-looking and me and my companion a sweaty, crabby mess. In my world, top-down driving is absolutely perfect for early mornings, evening-into-night, and anytime in the Fall. Mid-summer mid-day in traffic? Not so much. Frankly, the best thing Leyland did was to include a zip-out rear window in the later-model Bs, which, even with the top up, gave great air flow without cooking yourself. Hmmmm, I wonder if a zip-out window could be plumbed into a Rabbit top? Gonna have to look at this, a bit. But I'm keeping the air, anyway. I deserve to be comfortable.

DW

Yep, remember the MG/Bug-eye 1100/948cc's of fun well.


Zipout window side curtains were bad enough? The tops leak enough as it is.....

[CabbyScott]

Thanks for all the opinions, this is what makes this forum so good. I will probably pull the AC, because my goal is to take off any unwanted weight (I live in the northeast) to gain torque/HP (I am replacing the cam, fuel injectors, and adding altering the air intake) I already have a 4-2-1 stainless steel exhaust. It should be noted that the AC is not working at this point and I have no idea why. I have only owned the car for 2 months.

If it doesn't work, take it out. You don't need the pulleys or belts from a non-AC car or any parts other than a couple new bolts to hold the water pump in place. Follow the steps in the link provided above and you'll have it out in no time. And yes it does make a difference, you can't say it doesn't if you have never done it. It's a tiny low HP motor so even if it only frees up 5-10 hp it's going to make a difference.

[Dragonwing]

Yep, remember the MG/Bug-eye 1100/948cc's of fun well.


Zipout window side curtains were bad enough? The tops leak enough as it is.....

Ahhhh, they don't build 'em like that any longer.....thank Heaven! (Though I still have the 'B'--1979 and only 31,000 miles. Bought it new and kept it around.)

DW