So I have a 98 R, which originally had AC, but it was removed at some point.
It is my understanding that there is a .PDF somewhere floating around for the dealer instructions for adding AC to the 97/98 Rs. Does anybody have those instructions?

I just purchased all components to install the AC as a kit new from Honda, however all they had available still is the kit for a 1997 RS Teg, PN: 80000-ST7-A11. For reference, the 97 ITR has kit PN: 80000-ST7-A50 (available but pricey), and the 98, 00-01 ITR has kit PN:80000-ST7-A52 or A53 (both discontinued), and the 98 RS has kit PN:80000-ST7-A13 (discontinued)

Before pulling the trigger on the 97 RS kit, I compared the 1998 ITR AC parts, every last one of them, vs. the standard 97 RS parts. It appears the ITR has a few distinct parts for the AC compressor clutch, the idler pulley, and belt. I'm assuming that this was done to prevent over spinning the AC at the higher RPMs, however ironically if you were to order a complete compressor assembly they give you the same PN for both the 98 R and 97 RS.
Does anybody know specifically what is special about the ITR AC parts vs. a normal 97 RS teg?

I also noticed most of the hose PN are different for the RS vs. ITR, and the wiring harness is a different PN.

I'll post up my findings when I go to install this. I'm sure I'll have a few surprises but this was the best option for me. Used AC parts usually don't go so well so I wanted to get a new kit.

 

PM me your email dude, I'll send the pdf

 

PM sent, thank you for the offer!

 

Thanks for doing this. My mechanic piece the AC together for my car. So I am looking forward to your findings. Subscribed.

 

No problem man. I'll update with snips of the files so they are stored here on the server.

When I was into these cars in high school I was one of the goofballs who removed everything related to the AC for weight savings. Now I'm on the receiving end of this abuse. I live in the high desert and we are already cooking this year. AC is a must for an enjoyable driver / weekend Autox car for me.

 

The kit arrived. I'm actually blown away at the amount of parts and detail in the kit. Its an absolute bargain compared to most OEM parts at ~$600 shipped for the entire group.

The only part I need now is the motor AC bracket, which I may end up picking up from eBay. From there its just a matter of teardown, install, then reporting back here on any issues between this 1997 RS kit vs a 1998 ITR kit. I'm hoping that I still have in the car the appropriate 1998 AC harness (haven't checked yet), and if so, the electrical mismatches are minimal.

 

Are ya done yet?

 

In for more info on this and an update to your findings!

 

Subscribed as well -- please take lots of detailed pictures of the install and let us know how it goes!

 

looking forward to the install

 

Any updates?

 

Dang - you must have got the last RS A/C kit in stock. Tried to get one myself, and no luck.

 

Install has gone well. All parts bolt up perfectly.

I utilized the RS kit, a GSR P72 AC bracket.

The only differences which are notable are the following:
-the 97 and earlier AC harness has the two relays built in. This is the harness that starts near the airbox and goes along the condenser up to the compressor, condensing fan, and high pressure limit switch for the AC system.
-the 98 and later harness has a different arrangement where these two relays are built into the underhood fuse box next to the battery.

The solution is very simple. Locate a 98+ AC harness, or modify the 97 harness. To modify the 97 harness you simply remove the three unnecessary wires (obvious which ones when you compare your chassis harness to the AC harness), and then you remove the two relay connectors.

Two solder joints are necessary on the 97 AC harness:
Blu/Blk at the connector gets soldered to White on the condensing fan plug.
Blk/Yel at the connector gets soldered to Red on the compressor pull in plug.

Note that the Blk/Yel wire is slightly smaller gauge than the Red you solder it to. I did some dirty math on this and it should be fine for most relay coils, but if you are OCD I would just replace this entire pin/wire on the harness with the thicker gauge of the red wire.

The last notable difference I could see is that the three pin coil temp thermistor on the evaporator under the dash appears to have the plug on the upper right on the 97 evaporator, but its on the lower left for the 98+ evaporator. The harness just needs a clip undone to give it the necessary slack to reach the different location.

Finally, the 97 AC kit does not have the relays for under the fuse box, so if your 98 R or RS never had AC, you'll have to pick up those relays separately. The 97 kit does already have the diode that goes under the dash near the ECU.

I'll try to get some pics uploaded to highlight these details.

I would not hesitate to proceed if you can get the kit/parts.