Single cam engine into dual cam convertible AC

[dablazer916]

Hello, I just picked up a '89 single cam donor car to swap into my dual cam '94 convertible. I cannot find any info on this swap because everyone usually just swaps another dual cam in, but i got this donor car for a steal.

I need info mainly about making the AC work in my convertible. The donor car did not come with any AC parts, but i have all the AC parts from my dual cam car. Does anyone have information on how to make it work? From my research,im guessing that i would have to use the DOHC ac parts and lines with a single cam compressor on the engine. Any insight on this swap will be appreciated, AC related or not.

[brndck]

wait, so you're taking a single cam KA and putting it into a car that already has a Dual Cam?

Why???

[dablazer916]

Originally Posted by brndck

wait, so you're taking a single cam KA and putting it into a car that already has a Dual Cam?

Why???

the dual cam engine is blown, and it's an auto. My donor car has a rebuilt single cam with a 5 speed trans, which is why i am using it.

[Green Arrow]

I wish I could blame florida.....

[Tyler_240]

I don't think you are going to have to much of an issue. I have a friend who just completed this in his vert, identical swap.

If you have existing a\c, I would unbolt the compressor from the blown engine, and keep everything sealed and then just bolt it back up. If the a\c stuff was not there before, then replace the dryer and keep it sealed until you're ready to bolt everything up and vacuum down the system. The lines and everything should be OK since you're using dohc lines/compressor.


You will need to follow one of the 5spd guides out there, there is an extra step iirc for the verts. I did a sr swap/5spd at the same time, but there are 2 wires that you need to hookup for the speedo to work. There is a plug underneath the passenger engine fuse box, you have to jumper to start the car and that should be it. I think on the vert there is another relay for the electric top to work. It needs to know the car is in P. Again, just search S13 5spd swap.

I would suggest picking up a cheap haynes dual fan controller, and wiring up your a\c condenser fan. It should an a\c manual override.

[dablazer916]

Originally Posted by Tyler_240

I don't think you are going to have to much of an issue. I have a friend who just completed this in his vert, identical swap.

If you have existing a\c, I would unbolt the compressor from the blown engine, and keep everything sealed and then just bolt it back up. If the a\c stuff was not there before, then replace the dryer and keep it sealed until you're ready to bolt everything up and vacuum down the system. The lines and everything should be OK since you're using dohc lines/compressor.


You will need to follow one of the 5spd guides out there, there is an extra step iirc for the verts. I did a sr swap/5spd at the same time, but there are 2 wires that you need to hookup for the speedo to work. There is a plug underneath the passenger engine fuse box, you have to jumper to start the car and that should be it. I think on the vert there is another relay for the electric top to work. It needs to know the car is in P. Again, just search S13 5spd swap.

I would suggest picking up a cheap haynes dual fan controller, and wiring up your a\c condenser fan. It should an a\c manual override.

Thanks for the info!

[rawgarage]

You know this is going backwards

[dablazer916]

Originally Posted by rawgarage

You know this is going backwards

if anything, ill at least take the 5 speed parts from the donor car and sell the rebuilt single cam if i can figure out whats wrong with my dual cam motor. Previous owner said that it misfired for a week then stopped turning over. They apparently did a full service on the engine and it didnt fix anything. Havent tried even turning it over yet because it needs a radiator and an injector.

[kruked]

Under the dash, are the AC components there? On the new chassis.

[dablazer916]

Originally Posted by kruked

Under the dash, are the AC components there? On the new chassis.

Yes, all of the tubing and stuff is there.

[kruked]

The connection are different at the firewall between SOHC and DOHC. It's not a direct fitting connection. I believe that the lines to the condenser are different as well.

If you are going to swap the engine, swap ALL of the AC stuff as well and the big white plastic thing, (I forget the name of it) under the dash that the lines screw into.

[dablazer916]

Originally Posted by kruked

The connection are different at the firewall between SOHC and DOHC. It's not a direct fitting connection. I believe that the lines to the condenser are different as well.

If you are going to swap the engine, swap ALL of the AC stuff as well and the big white plastic thing, (I forget the name of it) under the dash that the lines screw into.

wow i totally read your last comment wrong, there is NO ac stuff in the donor SOHC car i just bought, i only have AC components from the DOHC vert.hopefully if i keep everything intact i can just swap the compressors over.