Re-routing of HVAC piping and relocation of units

[vex]

I'm wondering if there's any detremental affects if I do this? I'm planning on rerouting the piping to be less conspicious (through the fenders), and maybe hiding a few of the componets as well. Is there any reason that this is a BAD idea? I will still leave the access locations available including the schrader valve and the inspection window.

So...? any thoughts or suggestions or reasons why I shouldn't do this?

[Max777]

umm, can you please be more clear on what you mean? Have you taken the dash off and seen just how BIG the units are? I took off the entire AC system, and that helped, but, for example, the heater core is so huge that the only place it can really go is the stock location behind the dash right in the middle.

I'm really confused with what you are trying to say.

[vex]

umm, can you please be more clear on what you mean? Have you taken the dash off and seen just how BIG the units are? I took off the entire AC system, and that helped, but, for example, the heater core is so huge that the only place it can really go is the stock location behind the dash right in the middle.

I'm really confused with what you are trying to say.

the actual HVAC units i'm planning on leaving in the stock location, I'm talking more along the lines of altering where the pipes enter the cabin to connect to those units. for example I'm thinking of moving and fabbing up my own low pressure line by having the line enter the cabin on the drivers side then shoot across to the hookup. The high pressure line will probably be run through the fenders and hook up within the fender. This is of course just rough ideas.

As for the heat i'm thinking of doing the same.

[vex]

I'm planning on using one of these:
Bulkhead Connections ('http://www.docsblocks.com/products.asp?cat=43')
To pass both AC and Coolant through
I'll also get new lines fabbed up at a local place, but similiar to these. ('http://www.rayeveritt.com/Parts/Hoses/Hoses.html')

I'll also be planning around the same time to be tucking the wires and mounting them more centralized behind the engine to further hide the connections using More Bulkhead Connectors ('http://www.spacecraft.com/')

Just to give you an idea of what's going on.

[classicauto]

I think its a neat idea, but doing it to the A/C system is going to require alot of thinking.

Placement of the dryer, length of lines and how much extra refridgerant will be needed afterwards....

To hide the heater core inlets and outlets would be one thing, but the A/C system.....I dunno. You're still going to have lines coming to and from the compressor so there's no way to eliminate those...minimize perhaps.

[Max777]

i dunno, that is a cool idea, but from tinkering around with shit, I think that the way that Mazda did it is prolly the simplest... Shure, it would look a little better, but I think that there is a ton of OTHER stuff you could do to make the engine bay look better.

some of the prime examples:

using FD coil packs and getting rid of the stockers
using FD upper manifold if you're turbo
removing emissions
using electric fan
replacing stock airbox with an AEM Dry Flo filter
getting an aluminum radiator panel
relocate the battery to the interior
Replace the nuts and bolts with new ones as you work on the car.

Well, it's not everything, but doing some of these things makes the engine bay look amazing!

[JL1RX7]

The only things about the coils is the fc's are the best. Its an upgrade for the third gen guys.

[vex]

I think its a neat idea, but doing it to the A/C system is going to require alot of thinking.

Placement of the dryer, length of lines and how much extra refridgerant will be needed afterwards....

To hide the heater core inlets and outlets would be one thing, but the A/C system.....I dunno. You're still going to have lines coming to and from the compressor so there's no way to eliminate those...minimize perhaps.
yeah, to the compressor I know I can't really hide those unless I wanted to go with an electrical unit. I don't really plan on being able to hide those lines but to minimize the lines going to and from the compressor I think would make a world of difference.

The big aluminum line that crosses the engine is what I really want to eliminate. After that I can align the different inlets/outlets onto a single bulkhead connection and place them over on the drivers side or even directly over the transmission. Either way it's not that big of a deal.
i dunno, that is a cool idea, but from tinkering around with shit, I think that the way that Mazda did it is prolly the simplest... Shure, it would look a little better, but I think that there is a ton of OTHER stuff you could do to make the engine bay look better.

some of the prime examples:

using FD coil packs and getting rid of the stockers FC Coils are fine until you go stand alone and want fully controllable spark which would be accomplished using LS1 coils.
using FD upper manifold if you're turbo Don't have a turbo. I'm NA converting to a 6-port turbo.

removing emissions Already in the pipeline.
using electric fan Already Installed
replacing stock airbox with an AEM Dry Flo filter Converting to a Turbo so the stock box will be leaving soon anyways.
getting an aluminum radiator panel Already planning on it and will be getting an aluminum radiator too.
relocate the battery to the interior Already done.
Replace the nuts and bolts with new ones as you work on the car. Already converting all the nuts and bolts as I go to Stainless Steel Cap Screws or Standard Stainless steel bolts.

Well, it's not everything, but doing some of these things makes the engine bay look amazing!Granted I wouldn't even bother with the HVAC system until after I've done those, but as you can see I've already started or completed a majority of those things on that list.

[Max777]

/\ oh, well that is cool then!

Bust seriously, doesntyour bay look a ton better already? The one thing I always hated about the RX-7's is that the stock bay is just so cluttered with CRAP! And it get's progressively worse with every generation, going from the 12A first gen, to the FC, FD with it's 500 miles of vaccum lines, to th RX-8 with all it's emissions bullshit.

I think that making the engine bay look clean and tidy is my fav part of modding my car! :D

PS: care to post a pic of your bay just for kicks here?

[vex]

/\ oh, well that is cool then!

Bust seriously, doesntyour bay look a ton better already? The one thing I always hated about the RX-7's is that the stock bay is just so cluttered with CRAP! And it get's progressively worse with every generation, going from the 12A first gen, to the FC, FD with it's 500 miles of vaccum lines, to th RX-8 with all it's emissions bullshit.

I think that making the engine bay look clean and tidy is my fav part of modding my car! :D

PS: care to post a pic of your bay just for kicks here?

Yeah, I'll post up. It's not a whole lot to look at quite yet, but I'm still working on it a little bit at a time. I just did a tune up. New Belts, new Hose (on the throttle body), Oil Change, new exhaust gasket (Stupid ticket, now I have to call in to see if I can get compliance with the law off of a parts receipt)--I really hope that I can otherwise I'm going to have to wait and go to court.

[vex]

Here are some pictures. There's still alot of work to go on it...

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o285/lax-rotor/Engine%20Bay/IMG_3303.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o285/lax-rotor/Engine%20Bay/IMG_3302.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o285/lax-rotor/Engine%20Bay/IMG_3301.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o285/lax-rotor/Engine%20Bay/IMG_3300.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o285/lax-rotor/Engine%20Bay/IMG_3299.jpg




http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o285/lax-rotor/Engine%20Bay/IMG_3305.jpg




Someone was asking about the bumper support bar--here's a picture of it. It's the bent bar down by the oil cooler.
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o285/lax-rotor/Engine%20Bay/IMG_3304.jpg

[Max777]

oh, THAT bar? No wonder I had no idea wtf you were talking about!

Dont quote me, but I'm 99% shure that is not what it's called... 99%....

[vex]

oh, THAT bar? No wonder I had no idea wtf you were talking about!

Dont quote me, but I'm 99% shure that is not what it's called... 99%....

That's the only thing I've ever heard it called.

What you were referencing before was the Bumper Reinforcement "Bar".

[classicauto]

Just for quick reference:

Round bar near oil cooler = tubular cross member

Bumper support = bumper re-bar (or reinforcment bar)

[Max777]

Thanks for clearing that up, classic! I knew it was called something different, just couldnt remember what, lol!

[vex]

yup, thanks alot!