ok here's the deal.
I've been driving my black CRX up and down to france in the blistering sun. It's fine as long as you keep moving...but it's a black car you know.

So I've been thinking of installing an AC system.
Couple of problems with this tho. For starters, AC systems are hard to come by for the CRX. Second, I -HATE- clutter in my engine bay. Seriously, I detest it.
Most AC systems look old, tired, rusty, flaky...well you get my point. And I hate the thought of cables criscrossing my cleaned bay.

So I've been pondering alternatives. I can get an AC system, but it's missing some parts. Tubes mostly.

Would it be possible, to replace some or most or all of the tubes in the system with for instance braided fuel lines and AN couplings?

The pump I can deal with if it's cleaned up. The wiring I can hide as best as I can. I think braided lines will not look nicer. Plus they're newer... less chance of leakage I guess.

Any Ideas?

 

You could also get custom lines made, that was an option I had - but I also know autobody people who can get this done easily. I don't think braided lines would work, as it has to at one point hold a perfect vacuum along with lots of pressure. I doubt larger braided lines are rated for that. They also have to take lots of heat and lots of cold. Synthetic rubber can handle this, but it can still break down over time. Just get some good annealed aluminum tubing, bend it to the right sizes, then take it somewhere to get the special ends formed, along with the soft lines made.

In the case of A/C its usually function *or* form, not both.

 

Stainless braided lines are possible but you have to use the Aeroquip AC lines and fittings. Just do a web search on "Aeroquip AC".

Here is a page where I re-installed my AC and there is some information that you may find helpfull

http://www.performanceforum.co....html

The page isn't totally finished yet and there is additional information that I need to add.

Wes