My experience is that rebuilt A/C compressors are notoriously unreliable and tend not to last very long. As far as I know it is no longer possible to buy a new Matsushita compressor like the one in my 1990 Civic SI. I have never seen a Civic like mine with a Sanden compressor but the manual covers both types of compressor so I guess it is possible to swap them although I imagine that at least two hoses and the bracket would need to be swapped as well. Are there any advantages to one type over the other type?

 

You are absolutely correct that the rebuilt compressors are terribly unreliable. It seems like Sandens are more common than the Matsushitas but I can tell you from direct experience that the rebuilt Sandens are terribly unreliable. I've gone through two in 4 years. I have also spoken with a very large AC rebuilder/supplier and they actually refuse to rebuild or sell parts now for the Sanden TR-70 because it's so notorious for repeated failures and they were just literally unable to make them reliable or last more than a year or two.

New Sandens don't exist either. Buyautoparts.com supposedly has a stock of NOS Sandens and I bought one a month or two back. Mine was $391 IIRC. It certainly looks the part but who knows if it's the real deal.

If you want to go with the Sanden I believe all you need to change are the suction and discharge lines.

 

i would also like to know what kind of compressor and engine bracket i would need for my car, i have an 89dx with a b20b, i have the complete ac system from another civic. how would i tell from my ac lines which compressor i would need?

 

You have "the complete AC system from another Civic" - yet you don't have a compressor? Your statement doesn't make much sense. Do you have all the lines just no compressor or what?

 

I had a rebuilt Matsushita that only lasted a year before a seal busted.