How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 12:34 PM
  #1  
preludepower's Avatar
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Default How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

I have a local guy who is interested in trading cars with me. It's a 1990 EF hatch with a B16 swap, but no p/s and no A/C.

How hard would it be to put A/C back in the car? He said that it originally had it, but was removed when the motor was swapped.

Is it simply a matter of re-installing a compressor? Do you need some type of special bracket?

Thanks gentlemen.
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 01:03 PM
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Default Re: How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

i belive it is a clearance issue. not much room in there. my buddy has power steering on his and it is a super tight squeeze. also would probably have to fabricate a bracket or find one to buy since the ac would originally be on a d series and goin to b series block
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 01:19 PM
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Default Re: How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

my ef has air condition and power steer all bolts up besides the lines. besides that my buddy ef has it boost with a/c and powersteering on a LS ef 4dr
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 01:24 PM
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Default Re: How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

you can go Hasports or use the ef jdm b16 sir parts
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 03:04 PM
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Default Re: How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

HASport or Innovative. I have Innovative bracket w/ a B20vtec, full rad, and slim fans. Custom #8 and #10 lines can buy you some wiggle room if u replaced the hard/rubber line combo coming from the evaporator. I'll probably do this next if I decide to keep the AC w/ my next turbo build.

These links are helpful:

http://www.performanceforum.com/wesv...nda/ac/ac.html
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/%5Bfaq%5D-how-charge-your-c-air-conditioner-conditioning-system-home-1665946/
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 07:24 PM
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Default Re: How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

Originally Posted by jdqcivicp72
you can go Hasports or use the ef jdm b16 sir parts
can you post some pics of your set up? my buddy has been wanting to do p/s and a/c in his 4dr as well. i will have a/c in my lsv crx, i just need to connect 1 hose, clean the system and add r12.
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Old Sep 20, 2009 | 08:46 PM
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Default Re: How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

Hasports & Innovative make brackets to reuse your existing AC system with the B series. The Hasports bracket accept both types of compressors: Matsu & Sanden. The Innovative bracket only accept the Sanden compressor. The Sanden compressor is smaller so will make for more clearance.

Basically, you bolt the adapter bracket to the engine block, then bolt your compressor and the AC idler pulley to that bracket. The rest of the lines and condenser will bolt up to where they were in your car. You will very likely not have room for the condenser fan since the header is in the way, so you'll have to get a small slim fan and mount it to the front in push mode.

The hard part is recharging the system. You'll have to retrofit the system to use R134 unless you can find a place that still use R12. You'll have to change out all the o-rings and re-oil the lines for the new refrigerant.

I'm in the process of installing AC using the Innovative bracket. I'm still looking around to see if I can find place that will recharge R12. The R134 stuff is not really friendly with our old AC system.
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Old Sep 21, 2009 | 08:55 AM
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Default Re: How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

before you use that bracket if you plan on doing powersteering. make sure it allows power steering my friends was going to put powersteering but the a/c bracket did allow it. he wind up buying a new bracket. any ways i did DA compressor with custom lines and i think i used a pr3 bracket
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Old Sep 21, 2009 | 08:59 AM
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Default Re: How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

for that pic its in efcivicsedan.com its posted there
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Old Sep 21, 2009 | 09:32 AM
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Default Re: How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

B16 and AC is easy in an EF with hasport, hcp, or purposed bracket. Obviously you'll need healthy charge and return lines, if they haven't been gutted, as well as the receiver, dryer, compressor, evaporator dash stuff etc.

AC and power steering is more difficult. PR3 AC bracket modified will lower the AC compressor down so you fit the PS SIR pump above it, you may have to trim some of the engine compartment behind the driver side headlight. You'll need an EF purposed PS car first, otherwise rack and all that stuff isn't plug and play as the rear crossmember is different somewhat. Its alot of work for PS, as my many don't do it.

I am in the process of doing it myself, although I question why sometimes.
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Old Sep 21, 2009 | 10:53 AM
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Default Re: How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

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Old Sep 21, 2009 | 10:54 AM
  #12  
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Default Re: How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

messy engine bay it aint a showcar anyways youll see my custom a/c hose and the powersteering hose on the far driver side.
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Old Sep 23, 2010 | 04:07 PM
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Default Re: How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

hey jdqcivicp72 if u dont mind me asking where exactly did u get that power steering bracket im in the middle of finishing up my swap and i can find a direct answer anywhere on what bracket to use to keep the power steering, and did u have to get different power steering lines cause mine seem a little tight.
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Old Aug 14, 2015 | 08:51 AM
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Default Re: How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

damm sorry late reply i thought this got deleted, a shop in North Hollywood Called J&C import car care across from Robertson Honda parts department. J&C did the whole swap, also made my civics street legal bar'd b16. pic of DA compressor mating to lines are hard to see and cant get a clear shot of DA power steering line connecting to civic steering rack sorry grip of pics









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Old Aug 19, 2015 | 09:10 AM
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Default Re: How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

Above pictures are greatly appreciated as I am in the process of saving up to buy an A/C system from a H/T member.

How about the electrical part of an install, my '91 hatch came from the dealer with no A/C so would I have to splice into my existing wiring harness or are the connection already there but not in use?

Any help would be appreciated, thank you.
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Old Aug 19, 2015 | 03:17 PM
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Default Re: How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

Originally Posted by robzkombi
Above pictures are greatly appreciated as I am in the process of saving up to buy an A/C system from a H/T member.

How about the electrical part of an install, my '91 hatch came from the dealer with no A/C so would I have to splice into my existing wiring harness or are the connection already there but not in use?

Any help would be appreciated, thank you.
The plug will be located by your ecu but you will need the engine bay harness. You can find them on eBay sometimes, and probably at your local junkyard.
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Old Aug 20, 2015 | 06:31 AM
  #17  
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Default Re: How hard is it to install A/C into a B16 EF hatch?

Thank you.
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