31 replies to this topic

[sam tam]

Has anybody had any experiences in getting a non aircon vx220 fit with after market aircon or lotus aircon. Since I have not got my VX 220 but having without aircon seem to be like slightly too hot sometime.. lol.. Even with the roof off.

[theotherjonnymac]

Agree that it can sometimes be too hot with the lid on or off. Not sure if an air con kit is practical or poss.

[VIX]

Someone in Hong Kong fitted a/c. Sorry can't remember name. Worth a search.

[SteveA]

Vx's don't come with air-con, it's not even an option but the Zlet engine from the turbo is straight out of the Astra which did have aircon. VXL didn't re-design the engine at all they just stuck an idler wheel where the A/C compressor should go. I imagine fitting the unit will be relatively straight forward, the problem is how to get the cold air from the engine in the back to the air vents in the front. Might be worth checking out how the Exige is set up.

Edited by SteveA, 12 May 2007 - 05:58 AM.

[slindborg]

the AC pump will sit on the engine with high pressure pipe work going to a "rad" which then goes to a condenser which is where the cold air is made and then pumped into the cabin... that means it all should go near the front of the car (bar the pump). tbh its a complete waste of power, effort and money in the uk (imo of course)

[VIX]

Someone in Hong Kong fitted a/c. Sorry can't remember name. Worth a search.

It was calbee.

[sam tam]

There are 3 VXT in HK and all of them have aircon.. But mine is a VX NA and having it factory fitted will put 6k on top and therefore I would prefer to have some after market kit if it can be cheaper and bring me a cooler summer..

[VIX]

I could be wrong but given the limited number of VX220s fitted with a/c I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't "factory fitted" as such (ie by Lotus at Hethel) and were farmed out to a third party to install. I'd try and indentify what units were fitted and then find out how much it would cost to get hold of one. It might be worth contacting Hethel to find out. Or is that where the £6k quote came from?

[sam tam]

I could be wrong but given the limited number of VX220s fitted with a/c I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't "factory fitted" as such (ie by Lotus at Hethel) and were farmed out to a third party to install. I'd try and indentify what units were fitted and then find out how much it would cost to get hold of one. It might be worth contacting Hethel to find out. Or is that where the £6k quote came from?

Well it is from HK garage guy.
I am trying for the non standard VX parts option.
Since I have heard many Hot Rod in US use after market aircon since those cars have not got aircon as default.

And most of them produce a promising result however since VX is a rather small car. I am not sure if parts will ever fit in there.

[rik]

http://www.carbuilde...o.uk/acheat.htm

this is designed for kit car but could be fitted into a vx somehow

[mandarinvx]

That's an interesting looking kit Do you know how loud the compressors are tho

[rik]

That's an interesting looking kit

Do you know how loud the compressors are tho

don't really know much about it, just saw it on their catalog while looking for something else

[wierdjam]

it could be quite simple but would be completly bespoke. AirCon Compressor bolts to engine then high side pipe runs to the front of the car connects to bespoke condensor (radiator looking type thing) here refrigerant as a gas is under high pressure heat is given off turning gas to liquid(it needs cold air flow to remove the excess heat...hence why in cars the condensor is in direct airflow), then is pumped to an evaporator/heater matrix here the liquid is forced down a restrictive tube (capillary) into the evaporator (low pressure) the resultant liquid expands boils by absorbing heat (cooling effect) this "cool area" has a fan at one end and blows the cold air into the cabin. the refergerant ( now as a gas) runs back down a pipe to the compressor. Basically the whole system is at the front of the car in a vx this is somewhat cramped...... but it is possible but not really worth it. If you want cold air blown in your face use a peltier device although not efficient would be crude but cheaper.....

[snoopstah]

Have to say, I'd pay a pretty large sum of cash for aircon in the VX. Pretty much the only reason I keep toying with getting an S2 Elise.

[kevtherev]

Aircon in a VX is a bit impractical after all it is an open top sports car. Unless you alwayskeep the roof on. Wont be that easy to fit it will add weight and the compressor will sap power from the engine. To me it seems a waste of time and money.

[sam tam]

Aircon in a VX is a bit impractical after all it is an open top sports car. Unless you alwayskeep the roof on. Wont be that easy to fit it will add weight and the compressor will sap power from the engine. To me it seems a waste of time and money.

Well of course i know it will suck all these power from my engine.. But I think I have more power than what I will ever need.

By the way I am in HK right now and it is constantly 32 degree c all of the time in Summer. I am being cooked all of the time even with roof off.
It is so hot that I sweat like a pig all of the time ..there is no more enjoyment and definitely not cool with me being smelly and look like i have been swimming with my clothes.

I just want to make sure that it will fit and work then I am very very happy..

[VIX]

I could be wrong but given the limited number of VX220s fitted with a/c I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't "factory fitted" as such (ie by Lotus at Hethel) and were farmed out to a third party to install. I'd try and indentify what units were fitted and then find out how much it would cost to get hold of one. It might be worth contacting Hethel to find out. Or is that where the £6k quote came from?

Well it is from HK garage guy.
I am trying for the non standard VX parts option.
Since I have heard many Hot Rod in US use after market aircon since those cars have not got aircon as default.

And most of them produce a promising result however since VX is a rather small car. I am not sure if parts will ever fit in there.

Although my earlier post suggests that there isn't a standard VX parts option, just a 3rd party bolt-on for your market (just guessing), I wish you luck! But I'd go the tried and tested route if I was you and use what the others have.

Edited by VIX, 01 June 2007 - 09:31 PM.

[sam tam]

I could be wrong but given the limited number of VX220s fitted with a/c I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't "factory fitted" as such (ie by Lotus at Hethel) and were farmed out to a third party to install. I'd try and indentify what units were fitted and then find out how much it would cost to get hold of one. It might be worth contacting Hethel to find out. Or is that where the £6k quote came from?

Well it is from HK garage guy.
I am trying for the non standard VX parts option.
Since I have heard many Hot Rod in US use after market aircon since those cars have not got aircon as default.

And most of them produce a promising result however since VX is a rather small car. I am not sure if parts will ever fit in there.

Although my earlier post suggests that there isn't a standard VX parts option, just a 3rd party bolt-on for your market (just guessing), I wish you luck! But I'd go the tried and tested route if I was you and use what the others have.

Yeah I have also heard that since the pulley sucks power from the engine and it will be easier to stall the car and etc.
I think I would try the after market option if they are small enough to fit in the car.
Worst thing happen, i would loss 1k ..

[snoopstah]

Aircon in a VX is a bit impractical after all it is an open top sports car.

Just about every mainstream open-top 'sports' car has aircon - as I said, it's even an option on the Elise (and looking at the classifieds I'd say about 60% of buyers spec it). That's why you see so many convertibles with the roof up when the weather is *really* hot.

While it obviously adds weight and uses some power (although it should be minimal when the system is off), being comfortable is a pretty high factor in my ability to drive a car well. I know they were testing light-weight aircon systems in the WRC for the hot events, on the basis that the increase in weight would be more than compensated for by the improvement in driver concentration.

[crr003]

I'm sorry but this thread is just too bizarre. I can understand people in subtropical climates asking about aircon. but England?