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Aircon with ls engine in lx

Started by _NewsuxLX_ , Nov 07 2013 09:20 AM

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19 replies to this topic

#1 _NewsuxLX_

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Posted 07 November 2013 - 09:20 AM

Hi guys just a question for those who have LS seiries engines with aircon in their lx,lh's.
do you use all the standard components from the commodore or is it best to use an aftermarket under dash unit but maintain the commodores compressor and condenser ect? Any ideas would be great. Cheers

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#2 _1uzbt1_

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Posted 07 November 2013 - 10:21 AM

Factory compressor are problematic, use aftermarket mount and comp

aftermarket under dash would be easiest to source and also would be new.

condensors from commodores are quiet wide, wouldn't fit a hq but if it fits a torry would be good to use.

Im basing this from experience with many years of experience with repairing commodore a/c system and not from fitting a/c from commodore to torana.

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#3 myss427

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Posted 07 November 2013 - 10:28 AM

A few of the LS1 guys in Canberra are running the Vintage Air under dash units. Quite small and easy to hook up to the dash vents with alloy plate, tube, hose clamps and flexible hose.

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#4 _LS1 Hatch_

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Posted 07 November 2013 - 10:33 AM

If you read through my build thread, you can see all my air conditioning setup... I used a aftermarket style Sanden compressor along with a hot rod style aftermarket air con/heater unit. Works excellent...been in the car for a couple years or so now, and still blows ice cold (I made all my own lines as well)

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#5 _NewsuxLX_

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Posted 07 November 2013 - 10:40 AM

Cool ill jump on tonite and have a read through your build. Thanks

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#6 ls2lxhatch

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Posted 07 November 2013 - 11:09 AM

I have been told by some A/C guys that the A/C compressor on the LSX motors is not compatible with a TX valve evaporator. Some others have said it may work and others have said it will work. It would be safer to take 1uzbt1 advice and run the Sanden 508.

Dirtbag fitted a factory A/C compressor with a TX valve evaporator in his brothers UC hatch. I would be worth sending a PM to see how it worked out.

I originally planned to use a high mount Sanden 508 compressor but I decided I would give the factory A/C compressor a go instead as I preferred the low mounting. I have not got to the stage of gassing the system so I still don't know if the factory compressor will work. If the factory compressor doesn't work then I will mount a Sanden 508 in the factory position.

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 07 November 2013 - 11:18 AM.

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#7 _NewsuxLX_

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Posted 07 November 2013 - 11:18 AM

Hope it works for ya. Looks like a bit of time and money gone into your mounts and blingy pulley.Are the aftermarket pumps physicaly smaller?

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#8 _LS1 Hatch_

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Posted 07 November 2013 - 11:44 AM

I went with a replacement compressor since the Camaros here use a variable compressor and as well as mounting location I wanted, it was easier to use a standard type compressor that doesn't need to be controlled by the PCM.

As mentioned, mine works great even on a 100 degree day here.

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#9 _NewsuxLX_

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Posted 07 November 2013 - 12:36 PM

Ah yes. Mounting position doesnt really bother me as im making new chassis rails, im not 100% sure about runnin air con yet, i just thort id find out whats involved as theres still an a/c compressor on the engine i brought. And a bit of cold air would be nice. After driving my kingswoods with vinyl seats air would be a luxury!! Also what power window set up did u use. I looked at a couple but i wasnt sure weather it had to be a straight track or a curved track type?

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#10 _LS1 Hatch_

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Posted 07 November 2013 - 01:27 PM

I used regulators out of a Commodore in mine, work great. :spoton: ( I have remote locks as well..and an outside temp/compass rear view mirror....I just like gadgets I guess, ha ha)

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#11 _NewsuxLX_

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Posted 07 November 2013 - 03:35 PM

If inspector gadget new any better hed have a tuff torana too haha. What model comodore?

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#12 _LS1 Hatch_

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Posted 07 November 2013 - 03:41 PM

Can't remember off the top of my head (and it's getting late here after a long drive back from Vegas and the SEMA show, haha) if it's not in my build thread, I can check back through my pics/notes for you which model I had used for you....off the top of my head though, thinking it was like VS ?

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#13 _76lxJAS_

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Posted 07 November 2013 - 03:46 PM

Seen this at the all gm day.
Id say this is how not to do it.

Attached Files

13838031429961.jpg 61.6K 12 downloads

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#14 _LS1 Hatch_

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Posted 07 November 2013 - 03:50 PM

By the way...here is my setup, the engine side at least...some shots of my underdash stuff as mentioned in my big thread in the projects section..

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2013-05-0917.15.02_resized.jpg 178.45K 9 downloads

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#15 ls2lxhatch

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Posted 07 November 2013 - 04:11 PM

NewsuxLX, on 07 Nov 2013 - 13:27, said:
If inspector gadget new any better hed have a tuff torana too haha. What model comodore?

VN Commodore will do the job.

http://holmart.com.a...ne/prod1139.htm

http://holmart.com.a...ne/prod1140.htm

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#16 ls2lxhatch

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Posted 10 November 2013 - 04:58 PM

I was going back through my notes on the A/C compressor. The problem with the Commodore factory compressor is that it is a variable displacement compressor.

There is a fixed displacement compressor available for the LS motors that I thought I would use. The Denso 10S17F was used on the LS powered pickup trucks like the Chevy Silverado 2000-2002. I think this would be a good choice for an aftermarket A/C system with a TX valve.

Hopefully 1uzbt1 can confirm.

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 10 November 2013 - 05:07 PM.

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#17 _NewsuxLX_

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Posted 10 November 2013 - 05:16 PM

Ok thanks.

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#18 _dirtbag_

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Posted 10 November 2013 - 05:43 PM

My brothers car just uses the factory commodore LS compressor with his A/C system and it's fine. It runs a universal condenser and drier and an old under dash A/C unit with a TX valve.

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#19 ls2lxhatch

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Posted 10 November 2013 - 08:46 PM

From what I have been told the valve in the factory evaporator is setup to suit the variable displacement compressor.

If you get lucky then the aftermarket TX valve evaporator is a reasonable match for the variable displacement compressor and it will work.

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#20 _1uzbt1_

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Posted 11 November 2013 - 10:12 AM

I doesnt look like the Silverado uses a variable comp from a pic in the interwebs but systems that do use one have a low flow tx valve. This is probably to stop the control valve in the comp from oil slugging and the failing. You would probably find systems that use the variable comp and standard tx would eventuly slug up, even the commodores do it.

The issue with using one would have more to do with performance. Commys run a set suction pressure and therefore gas temp. The evap are aslo a very efficient design, after market ones aren't so. So the suction pressure needs to run lower to have the same amount of cools. If you don't you of vent temp will be higher this may or may not be sufficient enough.

Edited by 1uzbt1, 11 November 2013 - 10:15 AM.