Hi folks,
On my project there is a looming subject on A/C whether or not it would be worth going through the extent of installing it or leaving it out altogether. Some tell me convertibles shouldnt have it as it is an oxymoron like a sports car with an automatic.
I still have the want for it due to the S.Fla. summers but dont want to take away from the simplicity of the car being without it.
Your views and opinions have alot of meaning so please feel free to weigh in on the decision.
G,Day
John
If it can be shoehorned in there, I'd say yes.
Heat too.
It's way more pleasant to drive that way...
Okay, I'll take the other position...
About the only use I can see for A/C is defogging the windshield. If you're concerned about defogging the windshield, there are extremely effective chemicals to prevent fogging in the first place, and they weigh nothing.
Unless you create vents to blow right onto exposed skin, you won't feel a whole lot of benefit in a car with such minimal insulation. It's tricky to make efficient ductwork - your '72 didn't come with it! - so you need a pretty big AC system and the fan running on "high" to pull cabin temperature down even though the volume of the car is small.
Have you considered beaded seat covers? They're not exactly sporty, but a little bit of air space between you and your seat upholstery might provide more comfort than an A/C system.
Running your new A/C system will put a bit more load on your motor. Additionally, the A/C condenser will obstruct airflow into your radiator. For these reasons, if you add A/C you might want to consider a bigger cooling system...
In over twenty years that I've had my MG, I've never missed the heater. Not even once! Granted it's a GT, but its a cozy little car. And I live in a cooler climate. Talk about dead weight, if there's one thing an MGB doesn't need it's a heater!
The if-it-fits argument is a slippery slope. Where will you stop? Insulation? Sound deadening materials? A glass rear window? Electric windows and locks? A great big subwoofer?
John,
Depends on your budget, time and money to put it in, and your project, how easy the installation in your particular project will be. Keep in mind that it'll be a heck of alot easier to install it the first time around than to put it in later.
Then it depends on what kind of car you want in the end. If comfort over speed is important to you, then go with it.
Depends on the passengers you'll likely be travelling with. They may not care, hate A/C or can't survive without it.
Depends on the climate the car is most likely to be used in.
I must admit, I could live without it in my TR6, but I sure do appreciate it at times. Those hot sticky August days when it's raining or sitting in traffic with the top down, that cool air on my hands and face is so pleasant.
My TR7 has air. It isn't working right now and I really miss it.
I put AC in both my BGT's. Living in SC, I wouldn't use the cars much in the Summer (May through Sept) if I didn't have it.
It propbably does slow them down some but how fast can you go on the street?
Turn it off and it probably not more than 30 extra pounds you carry around.
One of mine is a V6 the other is the stock 4.
steve
Quote....if there's one thing an MGB doesn't need it's a heater! ....
Never thought that I would find exception to any of Curtis's comments - but this time is one!
There have been times where I absolutely needed the defrost function to clear the inner w'shield - I'm glad, in these cases, that I didn't opt for the "delete heater" option.
;o)
QuoteThe if-it-fits argument is a slippery slope. Where will you stop? Insulation? Sound deadening materials? A glass rear window? Electric windows and locks? A great big subwoofer?
Well maybe not the electric locks - but everything else, sure why not?
Add more power to the engine if you feel the lack, don't skimp on creature comforts. If Ken appreciates A/C in the Great White North, imagine what it's like for the rest of us...
:D
QuoteAdd more power to the engine if you feel the lack, don't skimp on creature comforts.
More power might help you accelerate faster in a forward direction, but dead weight makes the car less responsive in all maneuvers. A heavier car simply doesn't feel the same... It doesn't turn into corners as quickly or neatly. It doesn't stop as swiftly. It provides a whole different experience! Sure, you can update the tires and brakes too, but you're always chasing what you gave away. It's a losing game, because you gave away something fundamental. The essence of a true sportscar is light, nimble, balanced simplicity.
Hang on. You are talking about a B, right?
Probably with a BOPR in it.
Aren't they about 60lbs lighter than stock just because of the difference in engine weights.
Adding 40 - 50lbs of A/C isn't going to make ~that~ much difference to the handling.
Scroll back up to the first post and check the car info under John's name in the left column. He's already chosen a heavy Chevy engine, so figure two hundred extra pounds on the front end right there and he's hardly even started sliding down the slippery slope yet...
I've driven enough of these little hot-rods that I can say with some authority that they have dramatically different personalities from one to the next. Weight is one of the determining factors. It's not all bad - some people prefer a "grand tourer" - but don't kid yourself that a grand tourer feels like a pure sportscar. If you can get the modified car a couple hundred pounds lighter than stock, so much the better IMHO.
Thank You Gents!!!
As I said before your views and opinions matter!
The coin toss goes to CHILLIN IN A B!!
I think you need 2 Bs one with and one without.
From using my heater in the winter with the roof down I would guess the impact of aircon could be enhanced by having the toneau cover over the passenger side while driving.
It all comes down to personal choice in the end, it's your car.
If your car is to be a year round driver, build it for the climate
you have to endure. I live in northern Florida, no A/C or heat
in any of my MGs.
i would have to agree heat is needed.
A bit of heat is good for those early morning or late drives in Spring & Fall with the top down. Curtis wouldn't know anything about that in his GT. ;)
does anyone have info on evaporator install in a 74 mgbgt
Thanks
Hi John. Oddly enough I was just reading through your rebuild a coulpe of days ago and wanted to say what a great job you did and how much I admired your talent in so many departments. The car looks great. I've been to Florida when its real hot in the summer and although AC would be nice, after forty years of driving sports cars, whats wrong with driving with the top up the windows down and the heater blower on full cold? Isn't that what English sports cars are all about? Tim
Timothy.
Been to Fla. is one thing. Try living Fla. summers. I suspect you'll consider A/C too. After a Sprite, 2 MGBs, 2 MGB GTs and 3 Healey 3000s in Fla over the years I'm doing A/C on this one.
If you used a Tata air motor your exhaust temperature would be 0-15 F, suitable for "free" ac. All is not hot air, on this forum. Good Luck, roverman.
I bow to the voice of experience. Tim
Thank you Tim,
I drove that thing two years as a daily driver in traffic windows down and the top up rear window zipped down bare bones no blower or fan, no radio, just rumble, and smell like exhaust, foggy windsheild during rainy season, and hot feet from the foot box not being insulated, It was a very fun ride being miserable in that old thing! I will be letting y'all know how the ride is soon as it will be on the road in 2 weeks I hope.
Heck I'm still debating a custom fabbed hard top in the near future.
I hope the Roverman knows I was responding to Geoff's previous post and not his "hot air " joke. Yes John let us know how the car performs. Tim
Clan, It's a fine line, global warming or nuclear winter. "Somewhere" there is equilibrium ? Does someone think I have hot air ? - don't answer/lol. Cheers, roverman.
John,
I don't know if you're married, but, my wife has already requested AC. I don't even have a build sheet yet . . . she doesn't care if there's a radio or springs & shocks, just AC and some go-fast with the proper sound track.
NCtim
Oh yeah, been married since '04, together since 00 and known each other since kindergarten, and very patient with my back yard projects luckily, she figures its better for me to be back there than at a bar.
And she's right! I was a bartender at a bar in college that was remarkably similar to "Cheers." I had my regulars and their drink was made before they got to their stool. I had two lawyers, an accountant, a college professor, and a realtor. The regulars ran tabs all week and paid me on Fridays, with tip. I got some great life-lessons from that experience. First I realized that when I got married I wanted to be excited to get home and see my wife, not spend a couple of hours in a bar before dragging my butt home. Second, I had 2 MGs and an Austin Healey 100-6 that always needed attention. I figured what they were spending on bar tabs I could buy a lot of cool car parts and court the ladies and have $$ left over after I got out of college and I wouldn't smell like popcorn and liquor when I got home.
I think that's why I'm still the luckiest man on earth! I'm still excited to get home from the office to my beautiful wife of 28 years and she encourages my projects. If she wants AC then I'll give her the 40lbs of additional weight on the front end. If I was that concerned about weight I could lose 15lbs and get under 190, but I love to cook too much. I sacrificed for too many years to give up good food now.
Cheers,
NCtim
Im building a 1973 Stag, that originally had a/c Living in South Florida I cannot imagine not having air. I drove my classic around Southern California and Seattle for years and a/c was always ditched in favor of weight savings. Not this time. This build has to have air even with top down ill run the air. I think im going with a ford 5.0/T5 but im leaning towards a chevy 4.3 and T5 just because im guaranteed to have more space for the a/c bits and abig radiator to keep the whole mess cool.
Hi Mitchell,
It's a little far away but the Craigslist for Vancouver B.C. Canada, has what looks like a well done Stag with a chevy FI 5.0L
New paint and a hard top for $4900.00 Canadian. Or $0.86 if you factor in the US. exchange rate!
Haven't seen it in person but it sure is tempting.
Cheers
Fred
And o yeah, A/C all the way.
I'm in the same boat with the lovely Lynne (and i'd like to stay there)
Nice car but I major issue which I cannot overcome....Hood scoop..No way I can drive this car with any visible body modifications..
Would be nice for when im home to cruise around Seattle but that darn hood scoop.
Actually even in Seattle I want AC... in 2008 Winter there was more snow that year than the last 30 winters combined 2009 summer reached triple digits heat for 4 days.. My house has no AC, I was sleeping outside on my boat in the yard.....
That little sliver on the hood bothers you? I've only seen a few stags and had you not mentioned it I'd have never realized that wasn't stock. Looks great to me. And at US$4200 that'd be hard to pass up if it were near me!
I've looking at adding one of the units designed for trunk installation where the vents are normally installed in the package tray behind rear seats. Since the B has no package try, thought of cutting vents & return through the rear panel & push air forward. Unit would be in the trunk, saving a lot of work trying to get a decent installation up front.
Anyone tried this alternative or have other ideas?
Also looking for best sources & prices for A/C kits & bits if you have any.
Although far fewer A/C days In WI than FL, I find simply driving my Miata on those days works best. It also allows redeployment of MGB A/C $ into flowers for my wife who tolerates my sports car addicition.
After living through summers stationed in Virginia where I bought it, Florida, South Carolina, California and now back to Texas, my late wife finally refused to ride in the GT because it didn't have AC. I think the decision weather to add AC should be based on what you intend to use the car for. I agree with Curtis that a race or track day car might preform better without the drag on the engine and the additional weight but at 70 years old my track days are behind me. I made the decision to go with AC and don't think I'll regret it, at least I hope not as I've already bought it. As Dallas had several days this winter at 16 degrees I think its heat and defrost function might come in handy as well.
Paul
On a GT, I would definitely add A/C. The roadster? Not sure it will help much the way the wind whips around in a B.
I agree Carl, I had a roadster before the GT and was perfectly happy with it.
Paul
I can tell you from experience, A/C on a roadster is of limited value unless you have a hard top. I rarely have the top up unless my wife is with me... she doesn't like her hair whipping around & it's too short for a pony tail to do any good... When we drove to Fredricksburg TX last summer (about 5hrs away) we tried out the A/C. At stops, the AC would freeze us out of the car, but as soon as we got going over about 25-30mph, there was so much hot air getting sucked in around the windows that, while cooler than it was outside, it's still probably 80 degrees with the A/C on high. Ambient temp outside was around 95-98 degrees.
AC yes, run the compressor in reverse ? Alternator doesn't care, but ac pump, I'm not sure. I want to use accessories as tensioners, for (2) round tooth cam belts, and it will be crowded, on front of engine. Anybody ? Thanks, roverman.
My B is a daily driver. I used the heater all winter and scraped the windows too! Now I want AC so I can be cool in the summer or at least have some air blowing on my feet. I B hot footin it!
700 miles to French Lick and back, temps in the 90s, cloudless sky, 302ci under the hood, exhaust pipes under my feet - AC good!
On the bi-level setting, cold air blows on my face from the dash vents, and the floor vents blow directly on my feet. With the Lizardskin and the AC, life is good.
24 mpg with the AC on high and the cooling fan on. Water temp never exceeded 200, between 185 - 195 most of the time.