R56 A/C Delete - Any Takers?
A/C Delete - Any Takers?
Anybody out there deleted their A/C from their MCS? I'm looking at potentially doing this next year ONLY if someone else has gone through with it
Don't want to be a guinea pig again. I didn't use mine all last year even in the 100 degree summer we had. It pays to be lean :-)
I know some of you U.K. guys have had this dirty thought. Come on now!
Don't want to be a guinea pig again. I didn't use mine all last year even in the 100 degree summer we had. It pays to be lean :-) I know some of you U.K. guys have had this dirty thought. Come on now!
Last edited by countryboyshane; Apr 12, 2012 at 06:33 PM.
Mmm I would if I were to strickly track it but daily driving in Florida would be no bueno without an A/C. Though I am very interested in weight savings and power gain from deleting your A/C.
Alliance Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,100
Likes: 229
From: York, Pennsylvania
I'd only consider this if you don't use the a/c in the summer
AND
if you never use it to help defog the windows in the spring, summer or fall.
Looked up a few part weights
compressor 12.75 #
condensor 6.4-6.7 # depending on brand
evaporator and exp. valve 3.7 #
the 4 largest hoses probably about 2 #
That's about 25 pounds.
in deleting, would have to add back in an idler pulley, http://www.waymotorworks.com/a-c-delete-pulley.html
but I couldn't find a weight on it.
Some say just use a smaller belt instead of the idler pulley,
but never heard what size and whether that actually works.
AND
if you never use it to help defog the windows in the spring, summer or fall.
Looked up a few part weights
compressor 12.75 #
condensor 6.4-6.7 # depending on brand
evaporator and exp. valve 3.7 #
the 4 largest hoses probably about 2 #
That's about 25 pounds.
in deleting, would have to add back in an idler pulley, http://www.waymotorworks.com/a-c-delete-pulley.html
but I couldn't find a weight on it.
Some say just use a smaller belt instead of the idler pulley,
but never heard what size and whether that actually works.
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 290
Likes: 2
From: Houston, TX
Lol, I live in Houston TX.....I'd rather not melt, roast, or burst into flames due to lack of A/C in the summer. If it was a dedicated track car, I could see doing this, but not for a DD.
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It's my "fun" car now. I've only ever turned it on a couple of times in Michigan.
I wonder if that pulley delete will fit for the N14? Again, I won't want to be the first to try ha ha
I wonder if that pulley delete will fit for the N14? Again, I won't want to be the first to try ha ha
4th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: ~PHX
That's what I always thought as well. How much "butt dyno" difference is one really going to notice with removing the ac? Why butcher an awesome car for next-to-zero gain?
Similarly, I always notice people hating on the sunroof due to weight issues. I seriously wonder how many people on this board could get into different MINIs blindfolded and determine which ones do or do not have sunroofs just by the driving experience alone. One or two at best?
Similarly, I always notice people hating on the sunroof due to weight issues. I seriously wonder how many people on this board could get into different MINIs blindfolded and determine which ones do or do not have sunroofs just by the driving experience alone. One or two at best?
It's about cutting out the fat! Probably around 20-25 lbs! Don't forget a car with less inertia will also handle much better.
Way, has anyone tried the delete pulley on an R56?
Way, has anyone tried the delete pulley on an R56?
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma, WA
Bump. Has anyone pursued this? Probs very little gains... I remember when I did this to two of my Saabs I used to own, it just made everything easier to work on and the bay looked more tidy... I just put a shorter belt on. I'm interested to see how other peeps have done it to their mini..
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,165
Likes: 400
I did this with my R53, back when I thought I was getting really serious about competing in the SCCA Autocross National competitions within the STX class.
Turner Motorsport was kind enough to do the work, which never gave me any worries at all, however...
1. A couple of months later I took my son from Massachusetts down to Virginia International Raceway for the huge bash and racing weekend thrown by the Shelby Owners Club. The tempurature going down, and coming back, and throughout the weekend hovered around 90 degrees and first my son and then my wife took delight in pointing out that my suffering was self-inflicted!
2. The next year, the SCCA changed the rules for the class - doing what is called a "take back" by eliminating their permission for this change and requiring the manufacturer's system to be present for the car to be compliant in the class.
OOPS.
I've had no further impulses with the current car, and cheerfully carry the compressor around with the rest of the car - and even use the system once in a great while.
Hey - it seemed like a good idea at the time...
Cheers,
Charlie
Turner Motorsport was kind enough to do the work, which never gave me any worries at all, however...
1. A couple of months later I took my son from Massachusetts down to Virginia International Raceway for the huge bash and racing weekend thrown by the Shelby Owners Club. The tempurature going down, and coming back, and throughout the weekend hovered around 90 degrees and first my son and then my wife took delight in pointing out that my suffering was self-inflicted!
2. The next year, the SCCA changed the rules for the class - doing what is called a "take back" by eliminating their permission for this change and requiring the manufacturer's system to be present for the car to be compliant in the class.
OOPS.
I've had no further impulses with the current car, and cheerfully carry the compressor around with the rest of the car - and even use the system once in a great while.
Hey - it seemed like a good idea at the time...
Cheers,
Charlie
Neutral
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 2
OK, I know it's an old thread, but I came across it twice in researching this.. a few points to clear things up for people on both sides of the pond.
In the USA:
All cars had A/C, so you wont find any part numbers for shorter belts or anything like that. I believe that in some cases if there was no A/C speced that they actually still included a pulley in its place or even an actual AC compressor but not connected.
In the EU:
Most cars have AC, all N14 and N18 Cooper S's had A/C but there was a base model here that wasn't ever released in the USA called the Mini One. This had a no-A/C option and thus there was a shorter belt for this, as all else was the same. This is true for N12, N14, N16 and N18 engines, despite the major differences in all petrol variants, the aux belt path was the same, with or without AC.
So with that cleared up, YES you can indeed just bypass the AC unit and fit a shorter belt. Here are my experiences:
I picked up a 6PK684 Dayco belt, but anything around that length will do. There is also a 6PK698, 6PK700 both of which would work, and would likely be easier to fit, as the main thing with these shorter belts is that they are stretch-fit.
So you fanagle the jimmy-wotsit to move the tensioner up, push that little pin in from under the bonnet (that's right, the bonnet, under which the engine lives over here in the UK) to release the tension. The old belt should come off fairly easily, but I found that even with an identical part number and length, an original belt was still a pain in the A$$ to get over the pulleys. Took a while longer than youtube would have you believe, and again this is due to stretchy belt vs. premium. I got a 6PK895 with my replacement kit, and the "premium" one is 6PK905... i.e. 10mm longer, just enough to make it easier to fit.
In my case, the A/C was running roughly on the pulley, and making a lot of noise. I never use the system so bypassing it, not removing all the lines etc, made sense to get rid of the noise, without having to deal with A/C fluid and all that stuff. I simply dont use it here in the UK.
Shorter belt 6PK684, coulda done wiht being a little longer, was a right pain. I got hold of one of those little tools (SFT001 from gates) that allows you to hook it on, but that wouldn't work.
The trick was using zip ties to zip the belt to the crank pulley, making sure its round the alternator, then cranking around until it jumps on. This worked. PM me for a more detailed description, no-one should have to go through that pain again fitting these damn things.
No noise, (no A/C) but also clearance is fine, this should be no less reliable than the longer belt around the AC. All in all very happy I tried this.
In the USA:
All cars had A/C, so you wont find any part numbers for shorter belts or anything like that. I believe that in some cases if there was no A/C speced that they actually still included a pulley in its place or even an actual AC compressor but not connected.
In the EU:
Most cars have AC, all N14 and N18 Cooper S's had A/C but there was a base model here that wasn't ever released in the USA called the Mini One. This had a no-A/C option and thus there was a shorter belt for this, as all else was the same. This is true for N12, N14, N16 and N18 engines, despite the major differences in all petrol variants, the aux belt path was the same, with or without AC.
So with that cleared up, YES you can indeed just bypass the AC unit and fit a shorter belt. Here are my experiences:
I picked up a 6PK684 Dayco belt, but anything around that length will do. There is also a 6PK698, 6PK700 both of which would work, and would likely be easier to fit, as the main thing with these shorter belts is that they are stretch-fit.
So you fanagle the jimmy-wotsit to move the tensioner up, push that little pin in from under the bonnet (that's right, the bonnet, under which the engine lives over here in the UK) to release the tension. The old belt should come off fairly easily, but I found that even with an identical part number and length, an original belt was still a pain in the A$$ to get over the pulleys. Took a while longer than youtube would have you believe, and again this is due to stretchy belt vs. premium. I got a 6PK895 with my replacement kit, and the "premium" one is 6PK905... i.e. 10mm longer, just enough to make it easier to fit.
In my case, the A/C was running roughly on the pulley, and making a lot of noise. I never use the system so bypassing it, not removing all the lines etc, made sense to get rid of the noise, without having to deal with A/C fluid and all that stuff. I simply dont use it here in the UK.
Shorter belt 6PK684, coulda done wiht being a little longer, was a right pain. I got hold of one of those little tools (SFT001 from gates) that allows you to hook it on, but that wouldn't work.
The trick was using zip ties to zip the belt to the crank pulley, making sure its round the alternator, then cranking around until it jumps on. This worked. PM me for a more detailed description, no-one should have to go through that pain again fitting these damn things.
No noise, (no A/C) but also clearance is fine, this should be no less reliable than the longer belt around the AC. All in all very happy I tried this.
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
Neutral
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
OK, I know it's an old thread, but I came across it twice in researching this.. a few points to clear things up for people on both sides of the pond.
In the USA:
All cars had A/C, so you wont find any part numbers for shorter belts or anything like that. I believe that in some cases if there was no A/C speced that they actually still included a pulley in its place or even an actual AC compressor but not connected.
In the EU:
Most cars have AC, all N14 and N18 Cooper S's had A/C but there was a base model here that wasn't ever released in the USA called the Mini One. This had a no-A/C option and thus there was a shorter belt for this, as all else was the same. This is true for N12, N14, N16 and N18 engines, despite the major differences in all petrol variants, the aux belt path was the same, with or without AC.
So with that cleared up, YES you can indeed just bypass the AC unit and fit a shorter belt. Here are my experiences:
I picked up a 6PK684 Dayco belt, but anything around that length will do. There is also a 6PK698, 6PK700 both of which would work, and would likely be easier to fit, as the main thing with these shorter belts is that they are stretch-fit.
So you fanagle the jimmy-wotsit to move the tensioner up, push that little pin in from under the bonnet (that's right, the bonnet, under which the engine lives over here in the UK) to release the tension. The old belt should come off fairly easily, but I found that even with an identical part number and length, an original belt was still a pain in the A$$ to get over the pulleys. Took a while longer than youtube would have you believe, and again this is due to stretchy belt vs. premium. I got a 6PK895 with my replacement kit, and the "premium" one is 6PK905... i.e. 10mm longer, just enough to make it easier to fit.
In my case, the A/C was running roughly on the pulley, and making a lot of noise. I never use the system so bypassing it, not removing all the lines etc, made sense to get rid of the noise, without having to deal with A/C fluid and all that stuff. I simply dont use it here in the UK.
Shorter belt 6PK684, coulda done wiht being a little longer, was a right pain. I got hold of one of those little tools (SFT001 from gates) that allows you to hook it on, but that wouldn't work.
The trick was using zip ties to zip the belt to the crank pulley, making sure its round the alternator, then cranking around until it jumps on. This worked. PM me for a more detailed description, no-one should have to go through that pain again fitting these damn things.
No noise, (no A/C) but also clearance is fine, this should be no less reliable than the longer belt around the AC. All in all very happy I tried this.
In the USA:
All cars had A/C, so you wont find any part numbers for shorter belts or anything like that. I believe that in some cases if there was no A/C speced that they actually still included a pulley in its place or even an actual AC compressor but not connected.
In the EU:
Most cars have AC, all N14 and N18 Cooper S's had A/C but there was a base model here that wasn't ever released in the USA called the Mini One. This had a no-A/C option and thus there was a shorter belt for this, as all else was the same. This is true for N12, N14, N16 and N18 engines, despite the major differences in all petrol variants, the aux belt path was the same, with or without AC.
So with that cleared up, YES you can indeed just bypass the AC unit and fit a shorter belt. Here are my experiences:
I picked up a 6PK684 Dayco belt, but anything around that length will do. There is also a 6PK698, 6PK700 both of which would work, and would likely be easier to fit, as the main thing with these shorter belts is that they are stretch-fit.
So you fanagle the jimmy-wotsit to move the tensioner up, push that little pin in from under the bonnet (that's right, the bonnet, under which the engine lives over here in the UK) to release the tension. The old belt should come off fairly easily, but I found that even with an identical part number and length, an original belt was still a pain in the A$$ to get over the pulleys. Took a while longer than youtube would have you believe, and again this is due to stretchy belt vs. premium. I got a 6PK895 with my replacement kit, and the "premium" one is 6PK905... i.e. 10mm longer, just enough to make it easier to fit.
In my case, the A/C was running roughly on the pulley, and making a lot of noise. I never use the system so bypassing it, not removing all the lines etc, made sense to get rid of the noise, without having to deal with A/C fluid and all that stuff. I simply dont use it here in the UK.
Shorter belt 6PK684, coulda done wiht being a little longer, was a right pain. I got hold of one of those little tools (SFT001 from gates) that allows you to hook it on, but that wouldn't work.
The trick was using zip ties to zip the belt to the crank pulley, making sure its round the alternator, then cranking around until it jumps on. This worked. PM me for a more detailed description, no-one should have to go through that pain again fitting these damn things.
No noise, (no A/C) but also clearance is fine, this should be no less reliable than the longer belt around the AC. All in all very happy I tried this.
Anybody out there deleted their A/C from their MCS? I'm looking at potentially doing this next year ONLY if someone else has gone through with it Don't want to be a guinea pig again. I didn't use mine all last year even in the 100 degree summer we had. It pays to be lean :-)
I know some of you U.K. guys have had this dirty thought. Come on now!
Don't want to be a guinea pig again. I didn't use mine all last year even in the 100 degree summer we had. It pays to be lean :-)I know some of you U.K. guys have had this dirty thought. Come on now!
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