Can't find the thread anymore.
First I know that redtec has a suitable intercooler for this purpose but I don't want to use it.

Someone on here managed to keep the air con with the PRO ALLOY RS500 Intercooler. He used another aircon compressor/condensator or something like that. Hope that he will read this. All other who knows where I can buy the item/s are welcome too. Need buying sources.

 

Ive heard that someone made mounting brackets so the intercooler would still fit.

 

I have mentioned it a few times in the past but could not find the thread.

My RS500 has had ford fit aircon from new. It still uses the correct RS500 intercooler with an aircon rad in front.

The compressor is located below the alternator and runs a normal belt using one of the grooves in the crank pulley meant for the twin belt alternator.

It still works spot on 26 years later and is icy cold on this set up. I imagine these are all standard ford components so could be retro fitted. It came as a kit from Ford back then for all sierra's and was modded and fitted by the original supplying dealer

 

IMHO Aircon rad in front of the intercooler isn't the way to do it, especially if the car is going to be used abroad and/or produces lots of power.

A better solution..

 

The car was based in a very hot climate for most of its life and coped fine, and still does. Its a standard engine so the intercooler does the job no problem. I would rather have a genuine original kit than a repro one so wont be swapping anytime soon.

 

What charge temps does it see?? It may have been based in a hot climate and seemed fine but I'd guess that with a std RS500 intercooler (which aren't great tbh) the intake temp would be high. Without an aircon rad in front I saw 70deg charge temps at brunters! That kit looks like it was designed for a std 3dr as it seems to have enough room above?

 

I have no idea, its mainly a garage queen these days and does the job whenever it comes out for the summer. Great to take her for a spin with all the windows closed and nice and nippy inside.

26 years old and still as original as she left the supplying dealer so its obviously proved itself in all that time. Does not miss a beat whatever the weather.

The set up is no different to most cars with a/c, as yours is a high power continent cruiser then it makes sense to upgrade when you had the chance.

 

Agree... whatever the set up, aircon is a proper bonus I've done just over 7000 miles in mine in the last couple of years and we worked it out that just under 6k of those was abroad

 

is the redtec one much smaller than the pro alloy or is it negligible?

 

I have no idea but I have the much thicker ProAlloy I/C in my car and it all still fits fine although the crank pulley is quite close to the rad fan (proalloy slimline fan kit) plastic casing.

 

thx
do I have this right that you mean following fan kit: pro alloy performance fan kit

 

i would be looking at putting a condenser side by side with an intercooler rather than one in front of the other. would require a custom build, but to my mind would be the best option for both a/c performance and intercooler performance.

 

Agreed but given the fact my aircon is really cold even in high ambient temps abroad goes to show that the condenser sitting behind the intercooler can work very well and does make for an easier install. I'd definitely choose your option over putting the condenser in front of the intercooler though, especially on a high power car.