AC Install with 2.3 turbo

[oneowner88lx]

We installed the AC back into my son's '88 2.3 Turbo Hatch. Used the old compressor, junk yard condsensor, old discharge hose, evaporator that was in the car when we got it, new accumulator/suction hose assembly, new liquid line, new green o-rings. All the old parts were painted while off the car. We converted to R134 since R12 costs too much.

[oneowner88lx]

Here is the accumulator/suction hose assembly we used made by Four Seasons. Its was the only new one we could find. The problem with this part is the hose and line are routed differently then the original 2.3 Mustang line and have no slack once installed on a turbo car.

[oneowner88lx]

Here it is installed. There is a lot of tension on the hose and no slack for when the engine torques. We forced it on anyway just to see if the AC would work which it did without issue. Blows ice cold. Notice how the suction hose runs under the turbo. Took a little bit of muscle to force the line onto the compressor it was so tight a fit.

We vaccumed the system down for two hours and charged it with 2 cans of R134 with oil. When 85 degrees outside we got 200 PSI high side and 25 PSI low side which are good pressures.

[oneowner88lx]

So since the AC worked it was worth it for us to search for a solution to the suction hose fitment issue. We could not find another manufacturer that made the line like the original which was routed over top the turbo and cleared everything. The other issue we faced was all the replacement accumulators without hoses had no service port. So the solution we came up with was to get a beadlock splice connector with an R134 service port. We then cut the hose on the replacement accumulator/suction hose assembly and had the local auto parts store crimp on the beadlock splice and the original metal line going to the compressor. Now we have a set up that clears the turbo without issue.

NOTE: you have to test fit the lines on the car, put tape on the hoses, and mark fitting/hoses where they connect with a magic marker so once crimped everything is lined up correctly.

[oneowner88lx]

Another picture of our custom suction hose. The metal line that runs to the compressor is stock '88 Mustang 2.3 NA.

[oneowner88lx]

Here is the line running to the compressor. The metal lines are painted with VHT aluminum engine paint.

[oneowner88lx]

Here is the beadlock splicer with R134 low side service port, Four Seasons, part number 14952.

[Stinger]

Looks good!