Well... finally removed A/C perhaps it will help install too.

[ChillPhatCat]

First off let me say that my A/C is busted and that is why I removed it.

My car is a '97 Camaro RS. This modification was not as simple as you might think since, according to parts stores no '95+ came without A/C. Anyhow more than just a shorter belt was needed... just a minute of headscratching and a bunch of PITA bolts for the compressor removal. As the hanes manual describes, the accumulator and condenser were straight forward to remove. Anyhow, here is a comparison of how the serpentine belt was routed versus my new route. (I made sure all accessories ended up turning the same direction too.

http://chillcat.fortunecity.net/stock.jpg
VS
http://chillcat.fortunecity.net/modified.jpg

I tried to obtain an 80" belt for the new one but only could find 80.5" it is slightly looser than I'd like (slips back a little) but the alternator is charging just as well and the engine runs just as cool as before. I am considering searching out an 80" belt... I'll see if the belt doesn't settle after a little bit. As it is there is no unwanted rubbing. No noticeable difference in performance of course... but I bet it will help a little on the track. It removed ~40 lbs from the front of the car and probably freed up 1-2 Hp.

Edit: I did not modify the heater core as it is overly labor intensive for very little purpose. As it is My HVAC system is still 100% Functional minus the A/C.

[ October 27, 2003: Message edited by: ChillPhatCat ]</p>

[Ted]

Yea, my little bracket that holds the compressor to the engine snapped where it goes thin around it. It took me a week to ship out a new one and then I thought my compressor was broke from all the grinding it did into the engine. But it still works ;) so I don't gotta get into the hassle of removing it, i'm glad, and those suckers are expensive too.