Classic Porsche 911 Electric Air Conditioning: now also with Heating!

Another gamechanger in the making here at Classic Retrofit as we add electric heating to our electric A/C system. This is a cutting edge aftermarket system that is also set to be fitted to some of the world's most sought after supercars. If you've dreamed of ditching the archaic and failure prone exhaust-driven heating on your Porsche 911, and making the car lighter by junking old parts, and faster by fitting a race header exhaust system, while still staying warm in the cabin, we'll make that dream a reality in Q4 2024! Follow our socials or join our mailing list for more updates.

[@ronaldsieber1405]

John: Awesome rethinking of and solution for the classic 911 heating/cooling system. Please put me on the list to get a unit when they come out. =rds

[@briancorkery4083]

I love the thought put into this. As the air cooled 911’s go further n further out of my budget, I can only wonder how this elegant 12v solution could be applied to other cars, front engine cars. The space in the 911 bonnet is so handy for this project. I feel alternator upgrades would be easy to any application. The parts look relatively compact too. Nicely done

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

This much extra power usage would mean upgrading some of the electrics and especially a larger alternator. Even the newest of air cooled 911's are now well over 20 years old, and the electrical systems, especially the 1930's fuse and relay panel were hardly up to the task as it was. But to lose the old heat exchangers and the barely functional AC systems that came on these cars is practically a miracle. To think it's expensive is to not consider the cost of repairing the factory AC every few years, but the stock heating works well, though to new owners it takes a good read of the manual to figure out how to use it! Within a few years there will be even simpler electric climate control systems and really, this technology is pretty new to the aftermarket, so if you're on the fence about it, give it a little time and watch how they evolve. One driver for them is the custom car and restoration market, especially in the US. Soon the bigger players with have easily installed custom systems that are likely to cost no more then their present climate control kits.

[@almostordinary_motors]

GAME CHANGER! Now I have to wait til end of year to get electric AC... gonna be a hot summer, but worth it for a compact system. Excited for this

[@JacksonODJ]

I heard a murmur that y'all had this in the works, and I had to look to verify. This is great news.

[@clementgury3353]

Can’t wait ❤! I was thinking about ordering your AC system this summer but this reversible version is everything I’ve ever dreamed of! You can add me on your waiting list!!!!

[@clementgury3353]

Also happy to be a tester and/or be used as test client if there’s any installer you would like to approach in Belgium/Luxembourg/north-east of France 😊

[@Bmwstephen]

someone needs to test this in US climates. electric ACs have been tried before and they can never deliver on the performance.

[@hannulahti8605]

Heating, have been waiting for that

[@FunWithAJ]

Next level. I dont own a porsche but this makes me hopeful when I get one.

[@rennch.]

Looking awesome Jonny! Can't wait to see the finished version!

[@konstantinmoraglis5300]

Hi, I am very pleased to see you have made the electric heating, Would it be a adaptation for the 964 cars ? Thank you

[@ClassicRetrofit]

There will be, yes.

[@mrcjb60290]

Music to my ears Jonny! Especially since my car is currently cut to pieces with new floors, rockers, and suspension pan going in. I made the decision to weld up the heater tubes in the rockers etc. Are you guys working on an upgrade package of sorts, for those of us that have the A/C already? And yes, I know....why do I need heat when I live in Florida? :)

[@ClassicRetrofit]

Yes there will be an upgrade package!

[@timchandler4908]

Perfect addition to the overall system, just spent serious £££’s on your full elec aircon & alternator for my 82 911sc… so might need to get that installed and enjoyed first before splashing out again… 👀

[@markjones6817]

Awesome work gents. Why the extra testing on the air con side though, as you already have this product, so would have thought this was the easy side and the heating the more unknown bit… Put me down for an order, plus happy to be a test bed, if any use as car just in final finishing stages - so perfect before I order new heat exchangers….!

[@ClassicRetrofit]

Thanks! Regarding testing, this system is quite different to the AC only kit. The compressor is a newer technology so uses less refrigerant. The amount is critical for operation in both heating and cooling scenarios. There's a major change to the ECU control firmware required for the extra valves and stop/start sequencing. We want to be sure that this works all year round.

[@GORION83]

Will the AC be a dual condenser for us with hotter climates? Put me down for an order please.

[@ClassicRetrofit]

@@GORION83 Yes we recommend dual condensers on all of our setups and this car has two

[@TheJediJoker]

Will this system also use the extra vents dedicated to factory A/C in later 3.2 Carreras?

[@ClassicRetrofit]

It plumbs straight into the factory vents 👍🏻

[@kwsdurango]

Looks great! I’ve already got the digital ignition and upgraded fuse box. The AC was next on my list, and electric heat means I can finally get headers and new exhaust! Very exciting!

[@johnnydeutschemark3620]

Lovely color, is that green-gold / gelb grun? or beige-grun metallic? Is it original,I have only seen that once on a 914. Anyway: Congrats on getting the heat & a.c. as all in one unit, is that like a house-hold mini-split? I am curious about this development. Keep us posted and let me know if you need a US test-mule. Here in NYC Climate goes to extremes: Summertime heat and humidity, to just below zero in the winter months. I can test it out for you here on my car an '83 SC

[@jpvill4th]

So the AC has been revised to become a heat pump. Yes, all you really needed was a valve to change the direction of flow and a modeling program to check the evaporator and condenser to see if they will work in reverse. I wonder why the German Engineers could not figure out how to do this. The only addition needed with electric AC is a higher output alternator and an additional battery like an Optima. The compressor runs off the Optima battery and the extra current from the alternator keeps the Optima charged.

[@jungspike]

I'll buy it when it is ready !!!

[@MaxCarstensen-r7l]

Very nice! We will use it

[@heliolps2]

Love it, great work

[@dra911]

Exactly what I was waiting for, especially with the simplified controls. No way I was putting back all the stock heating components after the restore, so I'm keen to see the final product.

[@motorfab7014]

Hai anche bellissimi sedili 😘

[@albertomartinengo8494]

Io ho comprato da voi due anni fa. Si può implementare al mio impianto o devo cambiare tutto?

[@nielsvanderzeyst7036]

Brilliant. After a scorching drive to Revival from NL last year - I was about to splash out on your A/C. So what is best here: buy A/C now and buy upgrade kit later? Or wait untill this kit comes out.

[@ClassicRetrofit]

It's up to you. You'll be able to retrofit this to a standard A/C system.

[@friedrichlehr8414]

Great idea and development! Will there also be a solution for later Porsche 911 models, such as the 1987 version?

[@ClassicRetrofit]

This kit will work on all impact bumper 911s up to '89

[@david05111]

You're doing great work!

[@TobyD]

Will this also work on my ‘69 911E? I’ve been on fence with electric AC for while & this could be the tipping point.

[@toniwonkanobi]

What a game changer!

[@tonyhladun9081]

Certainly a modern system for current 911's with prices in the stratosphere. I had a 78 SC that I used as a daily driver for years until it reached 180k miles. It had an old non-functioning A/C system that I made work. I used the evaporator in the smugglers box and the condenser in the engine door. I got a used Sanden compressor, had new hoses made and fitted a new expansion valve. The real trick to make it work is to have air flow through the condenser to get rid of the heat. The classic solution was that the engine cooling fan would do that. That fan looks great, but it really doesn't move much air. So I added a pancake fan on the condenser and the system blew cold air.

[@stephenabril7084]

Magnificent. Now even VW’s can have it also hopefully. I remember the misery of the so called heat and non existent air conditioning.

[@kevinfagan1117]

Can’t wait

[@fredworiax1061]

Excited!!!

[@MrManicNZ]

Would I be correct in assuming that anything heating-wise to complement the Classic Retrofit AC system for 964/993 would be years away?

[@ClassicRetrofit]

No not neccessarily. There is some development to do around the CCU functions with heat but we have quite a lot of test data on these now. Development timelines are really a function of hours in the day!

[@kamranhussain6140]

Have a 66 912 with a VW stroker 2.3 litre engine.Can your air con system be fitted ?

[@ClassicRetrofit]

It is on a few 912s - check out our blog for a few examples. The system is on the Kamm Manufaktur 912. Takes some work to get the alternator etc fitted and we do not yet do a 912 kit.

[@guitarplumber1973]

Due you have any retrofit AC for a 1968 912? My wife would sure like the car better !

[@ClassicRetrofit]

Watch out for an update on 912 in a few months. We have a new alternator in development for your engine which will enable you to run the AC.

[@Andrew-vx2ls]

This could also be offered to 2CV, Fiat 500 and Beetle owners ;-).

[@ClassicRetrofit]

Yes we are gradually looking further out amongst the icons. Land Rover and Alfa 105 in progress.

[@CarlFeickert]

Do you have an electric a/c version for other older sports cars like a TR6

[@ClassicRetrofit]

No plans for TR6s at the minute. Owners of vehicles we do not yet create for often buy our kit as parts and make it work in their application - a TR6 with electric A/C would be cool. They are super cars.

[@nrakma]

The wiring job dos not look professionally done.

[@ClassicRetrofit]

It's a prototype....

[@darrylwalker1867]

Can you design adapters to fit a Karmann Ghia?

[@ClassicRetrofit]

No plans for KGs at the minute. Owners of vehicles we do not yet create for often buy our kit as parts and make it work in their application.

[@bernardmauge8613]

now tou need a bigger alternator for your electric pump. Bigger means a lot more money and weight. No wonder he never mentioned the cost.

[@ClassicRetrofit]

Our 175A uprated alternator weighs the same as the original alternator. We don't have final costings yet as the system is still being developed. Consider that the race headers on my car cost £500, whereas a performance exhaust with heat exchangers is £1700 + reconditioning the flaps, cables, levers, autoheat etc (another £250?).

[@bernardmauge8613]

@@ClassicRetrofit there is no race headers for 500.SSI are around 3000. your 175 A alternator is around 2000, plus a bigger battery for the load, the pump is probably another 2000 plus the plumbing, condenser etc. The whole system will be 8000 plus not including labor. I looked into into it for my 84 3.2. Not worth it my friend.

[@f.kieranfinney457]

@@bernardmauge8613 you probably don’t live in the southern US, Brazil, Australia or SE Asia.

[@ejford5083]

Weight loss, performance increase, and if the system functions at much higher level than OE HVAC, it will have value and will be purchased.

[@ClassicRetrofit]

@@bernardmauge8613 Your numbers and assumptions are not quite right but we appreciate it is not for everyone. The community we make things like this for love our products and see high value in their use cases. Have a great day 👍🏻

[@peterkopanidis9469]

Nice try - but It looks terrible. Why bother - the standard heating works perfectly

[@peterduxbury927]

I am also thinking that the additional electrical load for driving a compressor will rob your car of valuable HP. Nothing is free in this world.

[@solohour]

What use is this comment? Do you wake up being an asshole or are you completely unaware?

[@ClassicRetrofit]

@@peterduxbury927 No. The electric pump uses around 1.5 HP. The original mechanical pump on a 911 uses 5 HP.

[@ClassicRetrofit]

The video shows a prototype. The production version won't even be visible in the car and it will be under the frunk carpet . No ugly compressor on the engine either.