Hello H-T! I'll get right to the point.

98 bone stock Automatic DX hatch. D16Y7.

I just got my A/C working again with a new compressor, condenser & condenser fan.

System was not flushed and old drier still being used. Everything blows cold and works great but when the compressor clutch engages it feels like I'm towing a cow.

When the compressor disengages it literally feels like VTEC is kicking in, you can feel a big power increase and hear it too. My takeoff from a stop is like I'm towing a boat and at high RPM's it's even worse, I go nowhere fast.

Any ideas, H-T? Oh yeah and a new idler pulley and new belt too.

 

Running with A/C is a heavy load on a 1.6.

What's the mileage on the engine, last tuneup?, compression check and maybe a valve adjustment. Check the plugs and the air filter. Maybe change the auto trans fluid also.

 

I have some friends who have identical setups to me, all stock too and in their car you can't even feel or tell the compressor clutch is engaging.

Has new plugs, wires, distributor, compression last checked at 170 across all 4 and valve adjustment no idea when if ever.Motor is a replacement bought @ 90k and about 115k on it now

 

The devil is in the detail.

 

Yeah, old drier is like swapping an engine then taking the old oil filter off of the blown engine to use on the new one.

Any of these...
Air in the system (didn't use vacuum pump before charging)
Too much refrigerant
Too much oil
Condenser fan not working
...will raise the high side pressure and cause excessive hp demand from the compressor. What is your high side pressure? Also need to know the outdoor temperature when it was measured. A general rule is pressure (psi) should be less than 2.5 x temperature (F)

But even working normally, there is a noticeable drag like something grabbed your back bumper when the compressor comes on. It is common for Civic drivers to turn the A/C off temporarily when needing all the power then can to get onto a freeway or something.

 

One other thing is check the MAP sensor. The rubber o-ring under the sensor can be lubed with silicone grease to ensure a tight vacuum seal.

A/C system on small engines yeah I leave it to the A/C experts