I have a 2000 ss and have replaced the compressor 3 times. They last about 9 months. My mechanic tells me that compressors usually last over 3 years. Acording to the mechanic the problem with LS1 compressors is that they have plastic pistons instead of metal ones, also they are sealed and cannot be repaired. The mechanic tells me that the problem is that they don't handle high rpm.

The compressor cost $400 and $250 extra to have it installed with the drier and valve. It has 1 year warranty but have to pay the $250 instalation each time. Have searched in ebay but the lowest new is $355. Have seen them also as used parts.

I changed the diff to 4.11. Is this the problem, as the car is now reving higher faster? Should I put the 3.42 back? Should I change the rev limiter to a lower RPM, like 5000, so as not to damage the compressor? Is there is a kit to put the metal pistons in the compressor? does sombody sell a better compresor? Does GM make a fixed or upgraded compresor? why does GM not fix this problem part?

Is there anything I can do to fix this problem $$$.

 

do you race with the air on? my wife does that and the local gearheads think thats what killed my compressor. i know it turns anyway but not under a load.

 

I've spun my nearly 600rwhp LS1 to 6400rpm plenty of times and the air still blows ice cold. Mine is also a 2000 Z28, so I don't know what your issue is, but it sure sounds hinkey...

 

That reason sounds a little odd, can't goto high RPM on a car thats meant to be driven hard?

 

It only stresses the compressor if the a/c is on. If it isn't on, the compressor clutch is disengaged and the compressor internals aren't moving.

camarosspr, is the system being flushed out? I couldn't believe the crud that was in the a/c system of my 89 Formula when I had the compressor changed. And it didn't even frag, just wore out at > 100k.

If the LS1 uses the same radial type compressor GM went to about 15 yrs ago, it is rebuildable. When I bought the compressor for the Formula, they had a rebuilt or a new unit available.

 

I read the PCM will shut the compressor a 4,000 rpm. I reved until 4,500 and it didn't turn off. How can i set it to shutoff at 4,000.

 

There are RPM settings in the PCM which control engagement/disengagement of the A/C during WOT. You should be able to access these via LS1-Edit, HPTuners, FlashScan, etc.

 

Is any of these software (LS1-Edit, HPTuners, FlashScan) available on the internet as freeware?

 

Those packages are not freeware, and they require a hardware device to communicate with the PCM. So even if you had the software, it wouldn't let you access any PCM.

I'm not aware of what freeware packages (if any) are available. Perhaps someone else will chime in.