The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Hey, all you people on the internet (definitely recognize a few names on here ).

wanting to bring up an older topic on AC systems for the EJ swapped L series. There are 2 routes I can go down, no AC or AC (obviously AC is the go). I have a JDM imported AC condenser that is slightly different from the AUD models, in that the lower hose starts on the drover side and comes to connect similarly to how the aus ones are, I will get a photo soon.

Has anyone succeeded in merging the Ej compressor to the EA condenser? I'm hoping to get this done while the engine is being swapped. but keen to hear thoughts on what some of you have done!!.

Hey Riley!

The only way to do AC with an EJ swap is to use the EJ compressor and custom hoses to adapt the EJ compressor to the EA AC system.

Use the EA wiring to trigger the EJ AC compressor and essentially keep the EA system as it is. You can wire in the pressure switch on the EJ compressor. Off the top of my head I can’t remember what type it is - high or low.

I haven’t fully looked into my AC wiring setup for idle up trigger on the EJ ECU for you yet I’m sorry. I have to get my head around it again. With the quick look at what I thought I did I couldn’t make heads or tails of it.

Cheers

Bennie

Ah cheers Bennie! No worries, I've got the Davies Craig digital thermo switch which I can use to activate the AC aswell (going off the wiring diagram). It doesn't seem too difficult to do anyhow! Hoping that the AC I'd gonna be alot better than what the l series as now. Would you recommend a bigger battery aswell to cope with the load drop that comes when the compressor is on?

A lot of the AC cooling will come down to the condenser, evaporator and pump. I’d say the L would need a better/modern condenser out the front. Then an air dam below the radiator to draw more air through the front of the car as it’s moving forward. Better thermo fans will help too.

As for using the Davis Craig thermo switch, I think you mean to use it for the thermo fans. I doubt it will do much for operating your AC system properly!

Personally I’m a fan (pardon the pun) of the ECU controlling the thermo fans. You just need to setup a relay to trigger the fans via the ECU trigger wire.

In Ruby Scoo I have a three way switch for thermo fans because she was built for offroading - On/Off/On. On with ECU triggering as needed/Off for water crossings/On when I want the fans on - sand and hill climbing before temps begin to climb. Every bit of cooling helps!

Bigger battery won’t really matter so much - the power output of your alternator is what matters here. I’d recommend wiring your L for a “square plug” (with rounded corners) alternator. They’re way more reliable than the round plug units. Round plug alternators can drop one of the windings and do weird things but still give the impression they’re doing the job - but they’re not. Square plug way easier to find too.

Cheers

Bennie