flitner John Fenner Miami Fl (168 posts) Registered: 03/11/2010 10:58AM Main British Car: 1972 MGB 350 CHEVY |
A/C or no A/C?
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 |
Moderator Curtis Jacobson Portland Oregon (4593 posts) Registered: 10/12/2007 02:16AM Main British Car: 71 MGBGT, Buick 215 |
Re: A/C or no A/C?
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? |
TR6-6SPD Ken Hiebert Toronto Ontario (255 posts) Registered: 04/23/2008 11:43AM Main British Car: 1972 TR6 1994 5.7 L GM LT1 |
Re: A/C or no A/C?
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. |
Dan B Dan Blackwood South Charleston, WV (1008 posts) Registered: 11/06/2007 01:55PM Main British Car: 1966 TR4A, 1980 TR7 Multiport EFI MegaSquirt on the TR4A. Lexus V8 pl |
Re: A/C or no A/C?
My TR7 has air. It isn't working right now and I really miss it.
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Citron Stephen DeGroat Lugoff, SC (367 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 09:43PM Main British Car: 1970 MGBGT V6, 7004R, AC, matching trailer 3.1 liter |
Re: A/C or no A/C?
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 |
ex-tyke Graham Creswick Chatham, Ontario, Canada (1166 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 11:17AM Main British Car: 1976 MGB Ford 302 |
Re: A/C or no A/C?
Quote: 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. |
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Re: A/C or no A/C?
Quote: 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 |
Moderator Curtis Jacobson Portland Oregon (4593 posts) Registered: 10/12/2007 02:16AM Main British Car: 71 MGBGT, Buick 215 |
Re: A/C or no A/C?
Quote: 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. |
Re: A/C or no A/C?
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. |
Moderator Curtis Jacobson Portland Oregon (4593 posts) Registered: 10/12/2007 02:16AM Main British Car: 71 MGBGT, Buick 215 |
Re: A/C or no A/C?
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. |
djw090 David Witham Warwick UK (115 posts) Registered: 06/12/2008 11:20AM Main British Car: MGB 1974 and MG ZT 160 turbo 2005 |
Re: A/C or no A/C?
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. |
bplus Tracy Moore Jacksonville, Fl (40 posts) Registered: 11/24/2008 06:36PM Main British Car: 71' MGB GT 350 Chevrolet |
Re: A/C or no A/C?
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. |
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MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN (4556 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 11:32PM Main British Car: 1979 MGB Buick 215 |
Re: A/C or no A/C?
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. ;)
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triumphtr2 tim body St thomas ont Canada (87 posts) Registered: 08/18/2010 10:21PM Main British Car: 1954 TR2 serial # TS 110 L triumph 2 litre |
Re: A/C or no A/C?
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
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kerbau53 Geoff Morton Naples, FL (109 posts) Registered: 08/09/2010 10:27PM Main British Car: 78 MGB Ford 5L |
Re: A/C or no A/C?
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. |