DaX

iTrader: (1)

I just texted him and asked him to come check out the thread to get in touch with you.

sumdewd

I took my 90 Si off the road for now but I'm still very interested in this AC swap for when I do a B swap and start to restore my hatch. Good to know this is still possible, though I'm thinking I gotta order that PF condenser soon.

JMZ400

Just buy the new (TRS090) hose and take it along with your old one to some hydraulic shops in your area. They should be able to handle that for you. Take a few measurements on the lines before you leave to ensure they make them the correct length. You want that curl around the fan to be accurate.

91redb20ef

Just tackled mine this week. I Have a b20 in my car so I did have to massage the frame rail a bit to get the compressor on and enough clearance to get the belt on and off. The hoses cleared the pretty big header I have although it did melt my fan so I had to get a smaller one. I also have a rywire harness on mine So I had to pin the ac switch and ac clutch pin to it. Also had a parallel flow condenser ready to install since last year.



You can see the sledge here ready to put in work

DaX

iTrader: (1)

So you don't think the header will melt the hose now? I know you were concerned about that last year.

91redb20ef

Nope I switched to a half size radiator giving me way more clearance now the hoses aren’t near the header anymore gonna heat wrap the suction hose as it’s the only one near the header. I bought a fan slim fan and put it directly on the condenser. But my concern was the hose that wraps around the fan was getting pushed into the header by the full-size radiator.

GeoMetry

It appears that there are at least two manufacturers currently claiming to sell parallel flow condensers for the EF. The most widely available part seems to be the UAC CN4236PFC. But as others have pointed out RockAuto lists this part as both parallel and serpentine. The pictures online are useless because you never know if they are using a photo of the exact part or a representative part. Reading the posts here and other sites it seems almost random which one you will receive. There is also the Pacific Best 4236. They both claim to be direct replacement parts. I would prefer not to notch my car if possible. Can anyone here confirm these parts fit a 1990 Civic Si without notching? I would like to avoid the hassle of returning parts. Other than price, does anyone have a reason to prefer one of these two parts/brands over the other?

I have my original compressor mount that currently holds my third failed Matsushita compressor. I also have a compressor mount from a ZC engine that had a Sanden compressor attached. Is that ZC mount the correct mount for a Sanden 4993 compressor?

DaX

iTrader: (1)

I can confirm that at the time I purchased my UAC parallel flow condenser (P/N CN4236PFC) from Rock Auto, it had the confusing description. I did in fact get a parallel flow condenser, though, and did not have to notch on my 90 Civic DX sedan. I would imagine the core support is the same between Si hatchback and DX sedan, but I cannot confirm that.

GeoMetry

I have also had the joy of repeatedly replacing my Matsushita compressor and having less than adequate A/C even when it does work. I read the entire thread and tried to do some research on my own. Here are my observations:

In the end this solution boils down to two things;

· Upgrade the condenser to parallel flow

· Replace your compressor with a Modern Sanden (which requires a different bracket and hoses)

There is an open question with regard to TRF090 VS TRS090. There were a few posts that seemed to conclude that the TRF090 was a better choice because it eliminated the need for custom hoses. From my point of view custom hoses are not an optimal solution because they are more difficult to obtain. That would steer me towards the TRF090. The problem with the TRF090 is that Sanden no longer manufactures that model so I would be forced to choose an aftermarket or remanufactured compressor. I have an aversion to both but when it comes to A/C compressors I personally think rebuilt is worse than aftermarket. Would anyone here like to voice a different opinion?

So I went to the Sanden website to see if I could learn anything there. To my surprise, what I found is that their web site indicates that the correct Sanden compressor for my 1990 Civic Si is the TRS090. Conveniently I can purchase a brand new one directly from the web site for $362.





Sanden uses a 4 digit identifier for their compressors The TRS090 is 4993, and the TRF090 is 4995. If you search for 4995 on their website it states that it has been replace by aftermarket version 4921U1/TRSE090. I tried going down that rabbit hole but it looks like a dead end because several of the basic specs don’t match.

If you go to UACParts.com and search on your make/year/model they list all compressor options and associated hoses. Would it be too much to assume that if a single supplier is selling the parts that they would be compatible with each other?

RockAuto also indicates that the TRS090 fits my car.

I think I already possess the necessary bracket. It was mounted on a JDM ZC engine I purchased. It had a Hadsys HS-090L A/C compressor mounted which research indicates is a TRS090 clone.



I think I found a I will post a picture when it arrives later this week.

What I am looking for is someone else that has already been through this to tell me if the situation has changed in some way. Can I simply order a TRS090, a couple hoses, a parallel flow condenser, and a few generic parts or do I really need custom hoses? Has anyone thought about an adaptor instead of a custom hoses. It seems like it/they would be simple to manufacture once you come up with the specs.

GeoMetry

This is sort of what I have in mind when I suggested an adapter. One side fits into the TRS090 and the other side accepts the standard hose connection intended for the TR70. Just put this between the TRS090 and the hose and secure with a longer bolt.

DaX

iTrader: (1)

I understand your aversion to custom lines, but I had James89DX make me a set and turned them out in like a week - he may still be down to make you a set.

I agree with your observation - parallel flow is needed for R134a refrigerant, and the TRS090 is a more modern and available compressor which can run R134a and easily bolt to a Honda D-series engine. I think your bracket will work. My notes show an EG compressor bracket will work with the EG tensioner. If you use an EK bracket, use the EK tensioner but swap in the EF pulley spacer. I used the EK bracket and ended up needing a 32 inch belt (Dayco PN 5040320).

I was originally looking at adapters here, namely the Denso 10S15 and 10S17, but once I found that James would make me the custom lines, I abandoned further research on the adapter. That adapter that you found look more "plug and play". Curious to see what you come up with. Good luck!

GeoMetry

I ordered a via Amazon and I received a parallel flow condenser.
I also ordered a UAC that was described as parallel but it arrived serpentine.
At least when the "Item is not as described" there is no return postage with Amazon.
The Pacific Best cost about $20 more.

James89DX

These newer parallel flow condensers have really come a long way from the early ones a few years ago. Very nice with the reinforcement on the top tube, and the proper fit on the bottom that (appears) to no longer requiring the notch. Pretty cool.

What's that bracket or whatever threaded through the fins in the first picture?

DaX

iTrader: (1)

mine had that bracket too, and I wasn't sure what it was for either. I removed it before installing the condenser on my car.

GeoMetry

I can't say for sure what the bracket is for but a similar feature appears on every condenser I buy for this car so I think it is normal. What you see in the picture is the back side, the front is very similar to this bracket you see on all the serpentine condensers. (see picture)

James89DX, while I have your attention, In your original post on 6/8/2012 in the CRX forum you said "We made the custom AC hoses/lines ourselves using a factory EG [1992-95] Civic suction side compressor fitting, and the discharge side compressor fitting is from a 1997 CRV." I read thru both threads and there is a lot of information there. Before I place the order can you confirm that the EG suction hose and a 1997 CRV discharge hose is still the way to go.
My existing system was Matsushita. To what extent can my existing hoses be cannibalized for this? Will I need to buy a set of the Sanden style hoses that would have been on my car if it had originally been equipped with a Sanden compressor or can the necessary bits be sourced from the Matsushita style hoses?

I found a shop that thinks they can assemble the hoses for me. If that doesn't pan out, what are the chances of getting you to make a set of hoses for me?

GeoMetry

Question about the EG suction side hose; Based on the Honda part numbers and the interchange information online the suction side hose for a 1992-93 is a different part than the hose for a 1994-95. Does it make any difference which one I get?

DaX

iTrader: (1)

Geo, before @James89DX chimes in, I'll say that I'm pretty sure the 92-93 EG components were for R12 systems. The 94-95 is when they switched over to R134a. If I had to choose, I would go with the 94-95 due to the hoses being R134a compatible.

James89DX

Yes this is correct regarding EG and CR-V fittings. Oh I can absolutely make you a set with all 100% new fittings and materials. The last set I made I went ahead and bit the bullet and ordered more material and parts to make another set or two because it seems like every set I make i think it's the last one, then a year or two later somebody needs a set.

It shouldn't matter Matsushita vs Sanden because they should both are the same on the hardlines/fittings on the "body" side - aka the very aspects that are different down at the compressor aren't being used anyway.

I noticed over the years pulling hoses at junkyards from EG's that I'd get home and there were random ones that were not the right size at the compressor. I bet these were 92's but I never looked too much in it, just tossed the ones that didn't fit.

*edit* and thanks @DaX for tagging me because I don't often check in here randomly unless I'm bored and have ample free time, which isn't often lately lol.

GeoMetry

So that is worth highlighting, the required fitting is found on a 1994 or 1995 Civic suction hose (80311-SR3-A02)

~sp33~

I just wanted to post to confirm that i ordered this condenser from Rockauto on 26Feb2021:



And it arrived serpentine:


Looks like this Pacific Best one is out of stock too, does anyone have any recommendations?

91redb20ef

I bought this one from ebay its a parallel flow its the one I installed on my car I posted pics in this thread of it.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-A-C-Con....m46890.l49292

GeoMetry

I clicked the Amazon link it now says "only 3 left order soon." but the ebay one looks good it's black and it's less expensive.

DaX

iTrader: (1)

That's a bummer. Thanks for following up.

kraquepype

I've been on the fence doing this because the plan is to install headers soon and I don't know what room I'll have (B16 swap).

One aspect that concerns me is the hardline and softline that loops around between the header and radiator. Is there any issue with making that line shorter and giving it a more direct route to the condenser?

shortA25

iTrader: (1)

Are you concerned with clearance room between the radiator and header or the heat or both? If you mount the fans as pullers to the back of the radiator like stock, you will have more of a clearance issue with those vs the ac lines as the line wraps around the fan but the fan sticks further out away from the radiator (even a slim fan). I’ve done this conversion on my crx with a B18C1 but have a full race half rad so it wasn’t an issue with line clearance. I did heat sleeve the ac lines near the header to be safe though.

As for the question about making the lines shorter, it certainly is possible but there might be roll down impacts like there is now less system volume since you’ve remove some of the line length, so does that now impact the refrigerant charge and amount of pag oil to use in the system? Was there a functional reason Honda routed the line the long way around the fan or was it strictly to make it fit snugly? Does the stock hose length/routing work with in tandem with the condenser to give proper cooling performance or maintain specific system pressure? I don’t know for sure, I’m not an AC expert, just some stranger on the internet that has a little experience with putting together one of these custom systems. I’d say chances are you’ll probably be fine with shorter lines, I’m just trying to point out other considerations. Best of luck.