AC ducting though front luggage compartment

[jbcollier]

I used oval air duct to connect my front mounted ac evaporator to the dash fresh air outlets.

http://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Europa/i-ddWcWr8/A

http://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Europa/i-BJMF2BN/A

http://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Europa/i-xfVhGjD/A

I lost surprisingly little luggage space.  Now that’s complete, it’s off to the body shop this Tuesday.

John

[BDA]

Very well done, John!! One of the things I don't like about most A/C mods is they usually take up a lot of the front trunk. Your solution looks very elegant! 

[EuropaTC]

Yep, that's an amazingly simple idea which makes you wonder why it's not been done before. Very neat, very elegant and looks as if it has been part of the car from new. Combined with your mod for the blower I think you've made the front compartment more useful in terms of luggage because with the OEM set up, if you fill it up with squashy bags you lose some of the ventilation.

Brian

[Nitwit]

John,
  How many BTU and what kind of air flow, cfm, are you pushing?  I'll be refrigerating my S1 yet haven't got that project started.

Whit
74/2098R & 46/0478

[jbcollier]

Can't give you figures because I don't know them.  The evaporator has the usual twin squirrel cage blower and blows a "healthy" amount of air.  Of more concern is how the small compressor and condensor will work.  I'll find out next year when it's finally complete.  Bit of a wait but I will report back.

[Nitwit]

I understand completely since I've been toying with the idea for more than a few years.

Whit
Residential, Manufactured home & light commercial HVAC

[jbcollier]

If I was doing it again, I would explore this option:

http://www.jegs.com/p/JEGS-Performance-Products/JEGS-Remote-Mount-Electric-A-C-Compressor/3151133/10002/-1

I'm also running an oil cooler up front so that means I have 4 extra pipes in the chassis.  More than a bit crowded in there.