hi all. Google has not helped me much here. I have a 1980 Mini that I want to put an air con unit into. Has anyone got a recommendation of a unit that would work in a car this size? Engine is 1000cc if that info is needed.
intrade,
Jul 14, 9:01pm
there is no room for the engine as it is . and airconditioning most people wont fix existing systems as its not 50 cent to service and maintain. What i usually say if they want there aircon fixed if you have a grand for fixing it then we have a look at it they say they wind down the window instead . Thats fine with me then we wont look at it good by. For a new install you be looking at 5 to 15 grand if you employ somone. There is a ton of stuff its not just a fan who blows cold air thru magic.
intrade,
Jul 14, 9:05pm
airconditioning if you want to learn argo contractor has videos on training aircon guys the basics. and it starts with having A 300$ flashlight so you can see what your doing. but thats not the point the point is you need tools that you can use and understand how aircon works. There is no such thing as cooling there is only removal of heat thats how aircon works and making that happen is quite complex in what needs to be there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFOAhE2BcVs&t=468s
phoenix22,
Jul 14, 9:22pm
Oh sorry, when I say I want to put aircon into it, I don't actually mean me personally. I'd get someone qualified to do it. But I didn't even know where to start in terms of if it were even possible or what unit could be used
Sounds like the answer is that it cant really be done. So that's cool.
i'm not sure if there is complete after market systems here. so probably best bit would be to find a common system in a donor car. tricky bit is fitting the inside part of it. depends on what room there is around the mini's heater setup.
Just love saxman99's answer! Looks like easiest way to keep cool in a Mini is just have all the windows open and the heater fan on . At least, the air in the car won't be any hotter than it is outside
kazbanz,
Jul 14, 11:06pm
Serious question so serious answer. ANYTHING can be done but it will be a total nightmare. The "easy" way would be to buy a Jap import Mini which come fitted with AC. Its not just a tight fit its like you need hands the size of a baby. Ive just had a look at one at Mini Bitz in Henderson (50m from me) and you can't buy parts for the AC because it was only specked for Japan. I'd say as a minimum Taking pictures of the jap setup will guide you
phoenix22,
Jul 14, 11:12pm
hehe, mine doesn't have a heater either, I have to drive with the windows down to keep the windows demisted, but also wear a jacket, gloves, and blanket!
franc123,
Jul 15, 12:58am
Something along the lines of what Kaz suggested would be the only even remotely feasible way of doing it, it's still going to cost a bloody fortune if you can't DIY. The parts are certainly going to be hard to come by , even if you were lucky enough to get everything out of a donor car, some bits might require replacing and theres bugger all available out of the UK, the very late 90s Minis switched to a front mounted radiator instead of side so that may restrict what could be used Even once you had all the hardware installed and gassed it up, a standard Mini 1000 engine would bloody near stall as soon as it kicked in, at minimum some kind of an electric idle up system would be necessary, it sucks a significant amount of power out of a small engine. Even when it's running at speed it will be awful, I know what effect it has on my early 1000cc Vitz when it's running and that engine has at least 40% more power.
franc123,
Jul 15, 1:13am
Thinking it over further, given how much work would be involved in that conversion, it would really be better to just swap the whole car for a 90's Jap import, or if you are really in love with the old style with the central speedo etc and the car is a good example otherwise swap the whole front end (motor trans, subframe, braking system, EFI system, wiring, the whole lot) and the EFI fuel tank. There would be mods to do in order to run the instrumentation but not much else being a post 76 model. It wouldnt be that difficult to get certified.
bill-robinson,
Jul 15, 1:14am
are you going to fit a second engine to drive the car while the one at the front drives the air con?
tony9,
Jul 15, 1:35am
The ex Japan models with air had the A+ engine, more power and extra bits like mounts and engine control to allow the aircon to work. And I am pretty sure they were all auto. It is possible to put a manual box onto the A+ but that is not an exercise for the faint hearted.
If you REALLY want Air Con in a 1980's mini, then you don't really appreciate that model of mini. Quite apart from the power loss, the extra weight is going to upset it. If you NEED air-con, sell it and get something else.
tony9,
Jul 15, 1:36am
That would be the third engine, second engine in a mini is always to drive the back wheels. It works well!
martin11,
Jul 15, 1:42am
The twin engined Minis would not have a power problem to drive a Aircon compressor . Also the twin Mini had major handling problems .
tony9,
Jul 15, 1:47am
Not as long as both engines and transmissions were running OK. Most of the spectacular (and sometimes fatal) incidents happened when a gearbox and/or engine locked up. Mine handled quite well for the brief time it was running.
franc123,
Jul 15, 1:52am
Manual JDM Minis do exist but they're rare compared to autos. It's not going to be cheap no matter what way you go about it. Matching a manual trans up to an auto A+ would involve a crank swap, plus there was changes to transfer gear profiles too depending on the age of the trans. It's not an area I'd want to trudge into.
phoenix22,
Jul 15, 2:13am
Definitely wouldn't consider selling it. It was my stepfathers car, and he passed away about 8 years ago. Its one of the few things of his I have left.
It sounds like it is something to put in the too hard basket, which is fine. I didn't know that, which is why I came on here for advice. I love to drive the car, but its a bit mank in Winter when its really cold (have to drive with the windows down to keep the windows clear) , and the same in Summer when its really hot!
Never mind, I shall suck it up!
kazbanz,
Jul 15, 2:36am
You aint gonna believe me but literally 100 m from me theres a JDM manual mini in two tone metallic (Yamaha?) blue and white.
kazbanz,
Jul 15, 2:39am
A thought for you. AC is gonna be a major. But a heater for winter might not be so hard. no where near as much plumbing
bwg11,
Jul 15, 2:39am
As tony9 says, but the Japanese edition kept the side mounted radiator later than the Brits. Manual and air-con are compatible, my ex-Japan 'S' had air, which worked reasonably well. It does clutter up the engine bay somewhat, and was the main reason I took the air-con out of mine. Use the windows. Look for bits out of a wrecked one, but I know some Jap minis were imported after 2003? and could not be complied which ended up as track cars so there should be some air cons about. Yes, I have the air-con out of mine, but its not for sale as someone may want to put mine back to ex-factory condition in the future. Autos can be converted to manual, but an engine swap from a manual MG Metro is probably easier, changing the diff ratio is easier than the auto to manual swap and you have to source a manual box anyway
phoenix22,
Jul 15, 2:42am
that's a good option to consider. I will do that, thank you
bwg11,
Jul 15, 3:06am
Just re-read your original post, Fitting a heater is a simple job, but the simple recirculating heaters are useless. Back in the day we called them 'fug-stirrers'. They did have demisting ducts but they were useless for keeping the screen clear. I think your best option would be to try and source a 'fresh-air' heater which only came to NZ in imported English assembled cars. These work well and would be a much simpler job than fitting air-con.
upnorth,
Jul 15, 8:30am
The best option is the 280 aircon model.
Two windows open and cruise at 80 kph.
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