Best way to add heat to a Subaru conversion? Options

[BIGKAT_83]

Is this what you used Bob?

I was going to use that one in the Subaru car but it ended up that Im going to use it in my LS1 car.
The unit I have in the blue subaru car is a aftermarket evaperator for a Mustang II
I got it brand new at a Hot rod swap meet a few years ago. It was a hell of a buy less than $50 bucks IIRC.
Trust me this is not a bolt in job.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

Bob

[andys]

I have seen the under dash ones. Renagade, Pelican and what not sell them but its a whole kit compressor and all. I would be happy with something like that if I could use the compressor from the subaru enigine.

I got my under dash unit from Hot Rod Air (now defunct) and didn't have to buy a "kit." My under dash has heat as well.

Andys

[914skraper]

So, challenging one of the basic assumptions, it occurred to me that one could surround your Subie exhaust with some stainless sheetmetal, add the heater valve box thing from the 914 heat exchangers, and blow exhaust-heated air through your stock heater system. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

Goofy idea? Sure, but it saves running coolant hoses to and fro... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[mikesmith]

I have seen the under dash ones. Renagade, Pelican and what not sell them but its a whole kit compressor and all. I would be happy with something like that if I could use the compressor from the subaru enigine.

Vintage Air will happily sell you all manner of individual bits and pieces. There are a number of other similarly-sized under-dash units with every combination of heat, cooling and defrost.

[Chris H.]

I saved all of the SVX hvac system hoping to use it and the wiring harness. Even the dash vents and dash top and stuff just to understand how it worked before....would take a lot of work to integrate into the 914 but will try to figure it out someday. I'd hide the control panel somewhere so you can't see it...under the center console I have to build or the drivers side arm rest....

It's just this part....

[ruby914]

So, challenging one of the basic assumptions, it occurred to me that one could surround your Subie exhaust with some stainless sheetmetal, add the heater valve box thing from the 914 heat exchangers, and blow exhaust-heated air through your stock heater system. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

Goofy idea? Sure, but it saves running coolant hoses to and fro... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I tried that and didn't come up with enough useable exhaust. I still think it is a good way to preheat the air like JRust did. For more goofy ideas see my signature.

CptTripps, the Vintage Air Gen ii looks like what I wound up fabricating and put to the FWD left of the motor compartment. It looks like a great unit but the outlet holes look a little small. I used a 3 speed 944 blower and it is working great. It could be a bit more compact.

BIGKAT_83's got (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif) for clean. I want to know more...

[JRust]

I have a unit that came in a Rotary conversion. I think it's similar to the fresh air vent Mark is making. Except it had oil & water filtering through it. It also used the stock fan. Kind of fugly but very functional. Also pretty easy routing as it sits in the engine bay. So short lines going to your motor.

[jaxdream]

I have a unit that came in a Rotary conversion. I think it's similar to the fresh air vent Mark is making. Except it had oil & water filtering through it. It also used the stock fan. Kind of fugly but very functional. Also pretty easy routing as it sits in the engine bay. So short lines going to your motor.

With this setup , you are pulling air from the engine compartment , not exactly non-ordorus . Getting fresh air to the inlet would be a little less smelly perhaps , but a easily doable system as it appears .
My $0.02 .....

Jack

[andys]

Just an opinion on drawing fresh air from the engine compartment on a conversion car. Unlike the stock 914, where fresh air is drawn from the top side of the motor/engine tin through the engine grill (fresh, un-contaminated source with constant flow), drawing air from the engine compartment on a conversion car (non-Porsche) and blowing it into the cabin is potentially dangerous. I'd be mostly concerned with CO, aside from oil fumes, or fuel vapor.

Andys

[JRust]

Just an opinion on drawing fresh air from the engine compartment on a conversion car. Unlike the stock 914, where fresh air is drawn from the top side of the motor/engine tin through the engine grill (fresh, un-contaminated source with constant flow), drawing air from the engine compartment on a conversion car (non-Porsche) and blowing it into the cabin is potentially dangerous. I'd be mostly concerned with CO, aside from oil fumes, or fuel vapor.

Andys

Sorry there is a tube missing in the pics. It attached to the fan & pulled air from a vent in the side of the car. So no engine fumes. Having said that I did not ever use this system. Just liked it's overall concept

[mgp4591]

I saved all of the SVX hvac system hoping to use it and the wiring harness. Even the dash vents and dash top and stuff just to understand how it worked before....would take a lot of work to integrate into the 914 but will try to figure it out someday. I'd hide the control panel somewhere so you can't see it...under the center console I have to build or the drivers side arm rest....

It's just this part....

I'm thinking that's the way to go also since I've picked up a low mileage, working in every respect SVX. It would require alot of under dash welding of tabs, etc. for mounting and such but certainly doable. The SVX has quite the alluring dash setup- not the traditional 914 look by any means but I'm not looking for a restoration- I'm looking for a comfy, full functioning coast to coast cruiser. Mid engine, water cooled 300 hp GT car... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[nsyr]

The svx evaporator and fan assemblies are too big to fit under a 914 dash.

[partwerks]

I have the under dash unit from Renegade.

I'm wondering if it loses some heat running the lines under the car, as it is not real hot. I did wrap the lines with some insulation from Menards to help out.

[Chris H.]

Re: the stock SVX unit: They are BIG that's for sure. It's a big cube in stock form and could definitely not sit under the dash comfortably without modifications. My dash will be empty in the middle since I took all the manual heater and fresh air stuff out so there may be room for it (or some other system) to reside partially up inside the dash. I'm so far from doing this though...really just speculating with no actual knowledge at all (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) .

[nsyr]

I hear you. I saved all the hvac stuff from my svx, that's how I know. What would be ideal is a unit that could fit in the existing fresh air blower area. That way all the original vents and defroster vents could be used.

[Chris H.]

I hear you. I saved all the hvac stuff from my svx, that's how I know. What would be ideal is a unit that could fit in the existing fresh air blower area. That way all the original vents and defroster vents could be used.

I figured you were ahead of me on this one Andrew. Yeah IDEAL for me would be something you could stuff behind the dash so you couldn't see it and the car just appeared fairly stock using the stock vents as you said. Once you remove the stock fan controls and radio there is quite a bit of room back there (under there...?). Then use electronic controls like the SVX has so it could be controlled somewhat remotely. Easy to say...hard to do.

[okieflyr]

I've used McMark's system for 7+ years now and have found it to be very effective.
I also installed a "T" on one side of it to aid in bleeding the air out of the cooling system.
Modern heat without the burnt oil aroma...

[CptTripps]

I ordered this one today. I'll let you all know what happens when it shows up and I try to fit it in there.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-991102-1/overview/

[sixnotfour]

the other benefit to AC is that it dehumidifies in the wet months