A/C retrofit parts?

[Touchdown038]

I currently have an empty A/C system with no compressor, and I am in the process of piecing everything together, spring/summer is coming.

So my plans are to do a R-134a conversion, because the price of R-12 is too much. So do I need to pick up anything else, besides the compressor, drier, and R-134a retrofit kit?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

[NISTECH]

it would be a good idea to replace the expansion valve and have all the components cleaned with a cleaning solvent to remove any of the oil left in the plumbing from the R-12 freon. Clean them with all the components off the car. once you clean it out blow it out with compressed air to remove the solvent. When the R-12 oil and the R134a oils mix is what causes failure in most of the conversions. be aware if you ever did have that system working properly with the R-12 it wont blow nearly as cold with the R134a. The cooling properties of R12 is much better then the R134a.

[Touchdown038]

Yup, I've heard about how it won't blow nearly as cold... what temperature can I expect the R134a to be if I go down that line?

And what is the easiest way to get the evaporator core out? Isn't it behind the firewall?

[NISTECH]

yeah it should be held in with like 3 or 4 bolts. undo the lines to it in the engine compartment obviously. you will need to r&r the glove box portion of your dash to get it out. temp wise will depend on your humidity level and ambient temp. but generally there is about a 10 to 15 degree difference from what the 12 would put out. at cruise the temp is not really noticable its at idle where the obvious drop is.

[Q45tech]

If you upgrade the condenser to the R134a type you can regain half the loss.

But you can buy [ebay with an AC certificate] a 30 # container of R12 for the cost [$450-$550] of the of the conversion.