A/C condenser replacement

[455'ed80Regal]

Since they offer a parallel flow condenser for our cars you can get one of those for piece of mind. If you look at the overall size of the f-body and g-body condensers, both being parallel flow, the f-body is a tad taller, wider, and thicker. A little bigger has got to be a good things right? The increase in size won't affect fitment or function as Darbysan used the F-body condenser in his El Camino with no problem. For me it's a no brainer...the F-body condenser.

 

[Longroof79]

I don't think it would hurt to go with a slightly larger/ wider condenser, as long as it fits the core support without any obstructions. Like going with a larger radiator or trans cooler.

 

[jimsmonte80]

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Since they offer a parallel flow condenser for our cars you can get one of those for piece of mind. If you look at the overall size of the f-body and g-body condensers, both being parallel flow, the f-body is a tad taller, wider, and thicker. A little bigger has got to be a good things right? The increase in size won't affect fitment or function as Darbysan used the F-body condenser in his El Camino with no problem. For me it's a no brainer...the F-body condenser.

I purchased a condenser for a 91 Camaro today. Looks good. It is a slimmer design then the old tube a fin. My older tube and fin factory condenser looks fatter due to the fins and bulky tubes. The inlet and outlet lines are positioned a bit lower then the factory position, but should work fine with minor bends.

 

[455'ed80Regal]

I imagine that was not an on-hand item? As we as the one for the g-body? When I get around to it, I will have the parts guy get both and then compare them before I buy. Would like to see if there really is that much of a difference. Just curious, but where did you get yours at?

 

[jimsmonte80]

I imagine that was not an on-hand item? As we as the one for the g-body? When I get around to it, I will have the parts guy get both and then compare them before I buy. Would like to see if there really is that much of a difference. Just curious, but where did you get yours at?

Call 1-800- RADIATOR. They had one for the 91 Camaro. And a drop in fit, it is not. I had to cut a lip away from the core support and bend and angle the lines in the best spot. The upper and lower ears line up pretty well with the rubber mounts, but I did bend the mounting tangs on the condenser to keep the condenser pushed more to the driver side. And the fact that I have a larger aluminum radiator, the condenser lines just make it between the radiator tank and core support......even though I cut about 1/2 inch lip off the core support. It looks like everything will work, but here is the head scratcher. This condenser (from the 91 Camaro) is about 3/4 of an inch thick, my old tub and fin condenser measures about 1 1/4. Now Napa has a condenser listed for a 1986 cutlass as a parallel flow style (lines are on passenger side), and it is listed as 5/8 inch thick condenser. However, 1-800-RADIATOR does not have a condenser for a 1986 cutlass that is listed as a parallel flow style, maybe an error on Napa's listing?

Anyway, the guy at 1-800-RADIATOR pulled both condensers (1980 Monte Carlo, 1986 cutlass, and the 91 Camaro) off the shelf. The 91 Camaro was the only one that physically was a parallel flow style. So for $77, I bought it. I did go through a friend who owns a shop to get that deal.

Now here is my concern, everyone had preached that the 91 Camaro (F-body) is a far superior condenser then the original tub and fin condenser. One point I keep hearing is it is much thicker in design........now 3/4 of an inch is not what I would call thicker. Now here is my experience with radiators in general. A larger 2 core row radiator cools better then smaller 4 core row radiator. By the time air exchanges heat on the first 2 rows, the hot air passing by the next 2 rows has little effect in removing heat. So a larger thicker style condenser would not perform better in heat exchanging, plus a thicker condenser would restrict air flow to the radiator. I am sure someone somewhere will dispute my claims.

I can try to post some pictures after everything is fitted and wonderful.

 

[jimsmonte80]

I imagine that was not an on-hand item? As we as the one for the g-body? When I get around to it, I will have the parts guy get both and then compare them before I buy. Would like to see if there really is that much of a difference. Just curious, but where did you get yours at?

If you interested and want to see some pictures.

https://gbodyforum.com/threads/g-body-upgraded-a-c-condenser-install.57982/

 

[455'ed80Regal]

If you interested and want to see some pictures.

https://gbodyforum.com/threads/g-body-upgraded-a-c-condenser-install.57982/

Thanks for the link. Makes me want to think twice about that condenser as I don't want to have to cut my aluminum core support. I may not have to though as the outlet tank on my radiator most likely isn't as large as yours.

 

[jimsmonte80]

You may not need to cut your core support at all. Put some rubber hose around the condenser pipes for piece of mind. I just wanted extra clearance as to not have any issues.