Adding air con to KA MK2 Studio

[dizzibits]

I am seeking advice about adding air con to my KA studio. It is the most basic model you can imagine, it doesn't even have central locking. In the summer heat it is not a comfortable cockpit unless you speed up.

I've found a donor titanium mk2 that has the a/c bits including matrix, dash unit, hoses, compressor, pulley etc. However I am assuming that my wiring harness won't be the same? Does anyone here have experience working on the a/c on this car and pluming it in?

Any pointers or direction will be helpful. This car has had a new gearbox, clutch, wheels, cam belt and major service (in case someone suggests ditching my mum's studio!)

[Florin M]

I know you said that you don't want to get another car, but I think that is the easiest option. 

As far as helpfull directions on how do to it, no idea.

Maybe somebody else has tried/done in the past.

[dizzibits]

Thanks Florin. 

For anyone that ends up searching how to put air conditioning in a KA MK2 RU8 or Fiat 500 - I will post what I have found out as this may be helpful.

I spoke to 3 a/c specialists. It has been explained that the job will cost "4 figures" or over the £1,000 bracket to (possibly) achieve. One person who has previously put A/C in to an older, more mechanical car post production explained that using an original a/c system is more complex on a car like the KA mk2 because the high level of electronic dependence. It uses the ECU to monitor the operation of the a/c which is hard coded to the car. So, putting in another car's a/c, even from the same make and model of car, will not work "out the box" without a modification or change of ECU.

Additionally, it requires removal of the dashboard to swap out the entire heater matrix (which is different), installing the A/C control unit on the dash, air/con hoses plumbing and installation of the compressor pulley mount which is different. This is in addition to installing a pump/compressor, condenser and then the wiring harness install and pluming of hoses (which is more straight forward) - but with no guarantee it will work because of the ECU.

I have unsurprisingly decided to put up with having a warm summer KA! I do not wish to sell it as I have spent lots of time and some money on a mechanical and cosmetic restoration. 

If someone reading this knows better than I'd be interested to hear your knowledge of the topic.

[TomsFocus]

1 hour ago, dizzibits said:

I have unsurprisingly decided to put up with having a warm summer KA! I do not wish to sell it as I have spent lots of time and some money on a mechanical and cosmetic restoration. 

If someone reading this knows better than I'd be interested to hear your knowledge of the topic.

Two things to look for when buying a car...perfect bodywork and air con (or climate control).  Everything else can be repaired or retrofitted fairly easily.  

Does the car have any sentimental value?  If not, cut your losses and buy one that has some spec...  

[dizzibits]

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

Two things to look for when buying a car...perfect bodywork and air con (or climate control).  Everything else can be repaired or retrofitted fairly easily.  

Does the car have any sentimental value?  If not, cut your losses and buy one that has some spec...  

I don't disagree! But yes it belonged to my mother who passed sadly last September and it is staying with us for a few years all being well