... how hard is it to do? Possible, impossible? If I were to bring it to a shop to do it, would they absolutely kill me on the price due to the difficulty? Just curious because I'm not tremendously mechanically inclined and I don't know about these things (but slowly learning ) yet.

Also, my 1985 GSL-SE has AC set up in the dash, but it doesn't work. When I open the hood and look for the air compressor and all the ventilation tubing, I can't even FIND the compressor like I'd see in any other car. Since I'm a rotary newbie, am I just completely missing it and does it look like any other car's system or is it different? I can recognize most car's AC systems but I'll be damned if I can find it in mine. It's just weird because my factory manual AND the Haynes manual both don't mention AC at all so I have nothing to reference too. Would it be possible for someone to take a picture of theirs of where it is? I'd look stupid if I took it into the shop to ask them to repair the AC if the dude I bought it from ripped the system out, even though he told me that the belt was just broken.

 

The A/C compressor looks pretty much like any other A/C compressor. I can't remember the exact position of it on the engine, but its on the drivers side. Its either mounted on the upper portion of the engine or lower portion. As for the power steering thing, I would think that all you would need is the pump, lines, and power steering box from an RX-7 with power steering. But I know NOTHING of the power steering system on an RX-7 because I never researched it and my car didn't come with it. I see no need for it on these cars.

 

its on the drivers side. the pwer steering pump would be below it.

 

Hmmm. If that's the case, then I think the AC's been ripped out completely for reasons I couldn't even begin to fathom. Crap, that's gonna be pretty expensive to replace. Also, as a note about the powersteering, I've had a couple of close calls because I simply couldn't turn the wheel fast enough since it's basically like wrestling a bear at lower speeds. I want to know that when some other moron does something asisinine on the road, I can manuever around them and I just don't feel as confident doing that in my baby.

 

In Canada (at least) all Rx-7's come with the AC buttons. It was a dealer installed option. Due to the import restrictions in the 1980's, Mazda would opt to import all cars without AC, thereby being able to import more cars (restrictions were based on the total value of vehicles imported so by eliminating a $1600 AC option when they imported them allowed them to import more cars). The AC would then be installed at the dealer. By having all vehicles equiped with the AC buttons, it reduced the amount of work needed to add AC.

The AC and the PS share the same mounting bracket in the driver's side of the engine. PS was not available in Canada but was available in the US as an option. The only options available in Canada (for 1984 at least) were AC and leather.

Steve
1984 GSL-SE
http://www.accesswave.ca/~cvtenginee...eswebpage.html

 

So basically, I'll have to choose between AC and PS huh? If that's the case, AC it is. I don't need the cold air, but I WILL need the heat for spring/fall driving.

 

They share the same bracket AT THE SAME TIME, so you can have both. The bracket allow for the AC on the top and PS on the bottom.

Steve

 

I would check your whole steering system first to see if anything needs replacing. Check your tire pressure (big difference) and get it aligned if it hasn't had an alignment in some time.

I really have no problems maneuvering my FB quickly as long as its over 10mph. The steering effort isn't that bad and I even have a 350mm wheel too. I probably suspect there might be something wrong with your steering.

Corgi is right. You can have AC and PS. I've seen a GSL-SE setup before and its just like an FC. PS on top and AC on bottom.

 

i have 2 85-se's one came w/both p/s and a/c the other came with a/c (but its been ripped out). it shouldnt be that hard to put the powersteering on your car but finding all the parts may be difficult and the only fb i know of that came with p/s is the -se.

try checking your alignment and maybe tell the tech to pull some of the caster out, that'll make it easier to steer but it wont self center itself as good.

 

To install ps in a non-ps car, you need:

The steering column and steering sector. Switch the entire unit as 1 piece. You need the boots at the firewall too.

The cooling loop for the lines.

The bracket and idler pulley to mount it on the block.

One extra pulley on the e-shaft. Some have them, some don't.

There is a ps computer, I don't know if it comes on all cars or not. I haven't found mine yet, and I did the switch to ps.

Even though you may not have ac installed, you still have heat. That was not an option.

 

PS and AC are for wussies IMO. When my car was on the road, I had NO problem whatsoever with steering the car. Even at low speeds it wasn't too hard to turn fast. These cars just don't need it. I even have a Grant Challenger series 13.5" steering wheel. Stock is 15" and I had a hard time getting under it.

This statement makes NO SENSE. The A/C doesn't make heat. All it does is chill the air. Heating your car is left up to the heater core.

 

I installed ps because I am running 225/50/15 up front. That translates to a tread that is 8.5" across. And no, I don't believe I am a wussie.

I did however remove the ac. It certainly cleaned up the engine bay and made removing the rat's nest simpler.

The pic shows why I chose ps. The 5th wheel on the ground is stock for comparision, and it is, I believe, a 205. Even with 35 psi in the stock tires, it was a pita to parallel park.

 

Nice Wheels and tires size.

 

I didn't know you could fit 225's in the front.

With 205's mine were pretty close with the stock rims.

 

i dont think you need the steering column . i just swaped a 85gsl non-p/s column into my p/s equiped -se

 

I think you just need the steering box for the conversion.

And most guys rip out the A/C because its insanely expensive to convert it to the new coolant and recharge it.

 

how much is it up there? here its only $50 for the conversion kit. its hard to get r12 now and its at $50 for a 12 oz can

 

You can get R12 on eBay for a lot less, but you gotta have the EPA certificate. Maybe your auto A/C guy can get it.

B