I stopped using a/c in my track car (VE) and removed the belt to free up some ponies, my question is how hard is it to completely remove the a/c compressor from the engine to save some weight.

1.what is involved?
2.is it difficult?
3.any special tools needed?
4.any health precautions?

Thanks.
Alex

 

while you're at it are you going to rip out all the other climate control-related items too? some of them are heavy enough to make their removal worthwile.

 

no i still want the car to be somewhat comfortable and street ready, a/c in Washington is not a necessity, especially for a track car...

I still want the heat and blower controls... i just want to know how to take the compressor out.

 

Compressor isn't a problem. Just make sure you get the system discharged at a shop, the refrigerant in them is very bad for the environment. After thats out take out the radiator, the AC condenser in front of it, all the lines, and thats about it. Should be about 30-40lb's lighter.

~Alex

 

thanks ill look into that.

Do i have to take the radiator out?

 

I'm pretty sure you can just unbolt it from the car and leave all the coolant in.

~Alex

 

if you want to take it to the next level then might as well yank out the evaporator too while you're at it.

the rec/drier will come out too w/ the condensor...but make sure you have a shop pull the R12 out.

 

+1 on a shop doing the r12 reclaim..some shops will not charge you to do it due to the cost of r12..

 

When I was diagnosing some AC problems a while ago I went to Jiffy Lube and they drained and later put back the coolant for free, so there is an option for you.

Once you are ready to remove the compressor, the first step is to remove the alternator. This will give you access to the bottom two bolts holding it. With all the hoses, belt, and harness removed, hold it so it doesn’t fall down and undo the two bolts holding it at the top. Don’t undo the ones going into the engine, but the ones perpendicular to them. I think they are all 13mm.

To free up a tiny bit more weight you can also get rid of the belt tensioner.

 

ok ill take it to a shop and see what they say when baseball is over, thanks for the replies.