Low horsepower draw AC compressor?
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Low horsepower draw AC compressor?
I was watching a documentary on the C6.R Corvette and they mentioned how it uses an AC compressor that only takes 1.5 horsepower to turn instead of the 10-15 horsepower that a typical street car AC compressor uses. Does anyone know of an AC compressor that fits our LT1's that is super efficient like the C6.R compressor?
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Re: Low horsepower draw AC compressor?
Unfortunately, I couldn't ride in the race car. There's no passenger seat, and that side of the car is filled with air conditioning, drink bottle and electronics. Interestingly, the rules require air conditioning. The C6.R uses a compressor from a Cadillac SRX that's driven off the propshaft. The cold air is routed directly into a custom-made seat to more effectively cool the driver. Uniquely, the C6.R does not have a movable seat or pedals. To accommodate the swap between Magnussen and teammate Johnny O'Connell, there's a set of seat pads that go in. The steering wheel uses the factory column, and incorporates its tilt and telescope adjustments.
Last edited by Injuneer; Mar 23, 2011 at 09:18 PM.
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Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 71,097
From: Hell was full so they sent me to NJ
Re: Low horsepower draw AC compressor?
You can't do "magic" with the concept of compressing freon (or any other substance). The power required is directly related to the amount of heat (energy) transferred in the cooling process. It does not appear that they are running the A/C at a level required to cool an entire vehicle interior, just enough to cool the driver's seat a little bit. They have to have a compressor, but it doesn't mean you can cool an entire vehicle interior with 1.5HP. I suspect in it's Cadillac SRX application, its pulling way more power than that. Yes, it's more efficient than what we use, but it isn't going to give you a huge savings, if you use it the way it was intended.
I also don't think they are saying it is "shaft" driven in the sense that there is no pulley. I suspect is driven off a pulley on the C6.R driveshaft. Remember, the Corvette DS does not move up and down with the suspension. Its in a closed torque tube that rigidly connects the engine in the front to the tranny in the rear of the car.
I also don't think they are saying it is "shaft" driven in the sense that there is no pulley. I suspect is driven off a pulley on the C6.R driveshaft. Remember, the Corvette DS does not move up and down with the suspension. Its in a closed torque tube that rigidly connects the engine in the front to the tranny in the rear of the car.
Last edited by Injuneer; Mar 24, 2011 at 05:20 AM.
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