35 replies to this topic

[a9x868]

just wondering how rare factory fitted air is compared to dealer fitted air
in the LH LX range
mostly interested in the LH slr 5000 and the LX slr5000 and SS models

[yel327]

Not common as it was so expensive but i've seen plenty, in anything from a 6cyl SL/R to SS L31. 6cyl LH-LX is different to V8 though to look at. UC is the same as a V8 one from memory, and the controls are the same just have to be pulled apart and installed in an LH/LX carrier.

[BIG KEV]

I have one fitted in one of my LH's not sure if its factory or not ....but I can tell you it works and its ice cold

[Kirk]

Peter do you want engine bay pics or interior

pics

[REDA9X]

Factory air was rare, and it's easy to pick if a car had it or not unless the car has been completly raped of parts. Works very well, my SS had factory air and it was far colder at the vents than any car I have owned since.

[Kirk]

[Kirk]

[Kirk]

The pics are courtesy of John Napier 

 

I dont have under dash pics

[Steve TPF]

Factory air was rare, and it's easy to pick if a car had it or not unless the car has been completly raped of parts. Works very well, my SS had factory air and it was far colder at the vents than any car I have owned since.

 

 That's nice to hear - I scored factory aircon off a UC at a wreckers a few weeks ago. PITA to fit, and still needs new hoses, test and gas - but seems it will be worth the effort!

[BIG KEV]

Sorry sloffador no I don't have any pics but I can tell you my A/C is under the dash type and has a standard heater/fan box in the engine bay .....so maybe its a after market type
If you still would like to see pics let me know and I will try and do it over the weekend

[tuxedoss]

Kirk, are those pics of your car and is it an LX. Looks LX from the EGR and solenoid on the carby. If its LX it confirms that factory air cars used LH rocker covers on the passenger side. Everyone says LX has the bracket for the spark plug leads on the side  and on top for LH. My factory air SS has the brackets on top on the passenger side same as in your pics. Proves that as the aircon cars had the breather hose hole at the front of the rocker cover they didn't bother making new ones for LX with the brackets on the side and used up the LH ones.

 

On the aircon they used a VIR (Valves in receiver) system, which is the thing hanging off the heater box. Problem is this was designed to run on R12 gas which you can't get any more due to the greenies saying it was eating holes in the ozone layer. When gassed with R134a which is the gas used now they don't get as cold. In the US they have kits to convert it to a different system which runs better on 134a. There is some information on the internet about getting VIR systems to work better on 134a but its pretty limited. Without going into the details there are 2 valves inside the VIR that are factory set to run at 34psi, the trick is to reset them to around 30psi and from what I read very good results can be have with R134a.

[hanra]

Kirk, are those pics of your car and is it an LX. Looks LX from the EGR and solenoid on the carby. If its LX it confirms that factory air cars used LH rocker covers on the passenger side. Everyone says LX has the bracket for the spark plug leads on the side and on top for LH. My factory air SS has the brackets on top on the passenger side same as in your pics. Proves that as the aircon cars had the breather hose hole at the front of the rocker cover they didn't bother making new ones for LX with the brackets on the side and used up the LH ones.

On the aircon they used a VIR (Valves in receiver) system, which is the thing hanging off the heater box. Problem is this was designed to run on R12 gas which you can't get any more due to the greenies saying it was eating holes in the ozone layer. When gassed with R134a which is the gas used now they don't get as cold. In the US they have kits to convert it to a different system which runs better on 134a. There is some information on the internet about getting VIR systems to work better on 134a but its pretty limited. Without going into the details there are 2 valves inside the VIR that are factory set to run at 34psi, the trick is to reset them to around 30psi and from what I read very good results can be have with R134a.

Mentions photos courtesy of John Napier is is napes_au on here with a LH.

Edit: I think I see Johns LH in the background. Come to think of it he did recently buy a Tuxedo black LX hatch I think?

Edited by hanra, 09 May 2014 - 09:21 PM.

[Kirk]

Brad  the pics are off his tuxedo black hatch 

 

Brett you have the correct rocker covers Red confirmed them but i forgot to let you know sorry mate

[tuxedoss]

Interesting to find another tuxedo ss with factory air, must have thought the black would be hot in summer. From the EGR valve I guess this one is auto?

[REDA9X]

The twin thermo fans on the back were not factory, they ran a clutch fan. The car looks like an auto to me as it has the thermo fan also mounted at the front, manuals didn't have that. I have seen planty of EGR valves on manual cars, but it's generally an auto thing.

[a9x868]

The twin thermo fans on the back were not factory, they ran a clutch fan. The car looks like an auto to me as it has the thermo fan also mounted at the front, manuals didn't have that. I have seen planty of EGR valves on manual cars, but it's generally an auto thing.

looking at the auto trans dip stick and filler tube i'd have to agree!

[Ando]

 DSC00007.JPG   896.58K   45 downloads   Here's Ray's L31 with factory air..

[Ando]

A couple more pics..

Attached Files

•  DSC00017.jpg   208.33K   24 downloads
•  DSC00018.jpg   190.04K   16 downloads

[a9x868]

Never seen the numbers on factory fitted air but it must be rare. In all my years if a/c was fitted the vast majority of LH or LX torana's seemed to have the aftermarket or what most call dealer fitted systems. I can't remember what exact $$ it was on the option sheet, but I do remember the dealer a/c option was a significantly cheaper number.
 
Bit on factory air in these old threads (inc a/c service book pictures)
guy i know just recently bought an LHSLR5000
one owner with books from QLD with factory air
list price was 6800 but with air and heavy duty radiator
the price came to something like 8300
funny thing was the heavy duty radiator was actually an A9X item QH code!
beautiful car
great buy site unseen
very expensive airconditioning for the time!
not difficult to see why the dealer fitted air was more prevelent
as it was i suppose much cheaper
still love the totally ugly factory air though!
 
http://www.gmh-toran...ith-factory-ac/
http://www.gmh-toran...c/13283-a9x-ac/
http://www.gmh-toran...actory-air-con/