AC SUX HP

[streethorse]

My AC really drags down the power. I dont use it much like a lot of people
who leave it on non stop when the outside temp is over 70 degrees.
A riced out civic could probably kick my ass while the AC is on.
Feels like I have 2 large bags of manure in the trunk.

 

[AvalancheSVT]

get full exhaust and cams, that'll prolly fix it

 

[Stangsgrl]

I just like the windows down anyway...
I never have the AC on, unless my mom is in the car which is rare...she doesn't like windows down.
or it's raining and my windows are fogging up.

 

[thomas91169]

somethings wrong then. you should only feel a "slight" difference in power, if that.

i know on my 91 GSX i can definately tell when the AC is on, feels like im dragging and anchor, so naturally i have to use more throttle input to spool the turbo more to get moving. however my GT i dont have to change my driving style at all when the AC is on.

 

[Dusstbuster]

My AC really drags down the power. I dont use it much like a lot of people
who leave it on non stop when the outside temp is over 70 degrees.
A riced out civic could probably kick my ass while the AC is on.
Feels like I have 2 large bags of manure in the trunk.

When you stomp the pedal to the floor and go WOT the AC shuts off so it wouldn't matter if you had it on/off while racing...

 

[K'Dash]

Oh my God does it rob power like a mofo. I only use the AC when crusing on the highway. Once I'm in the city it turns off. I can't stand the loss of power. Feels like I lose 2 cylinders.

 

[007]

When you stomp the pedal to the floor and go WOT the AC shuts off so it wouldn't matter if you had it on/off while racing...

right.

 

[Skud]

Oh my God does it rob power like a mofo. I only use the AC when crusing on the highway. Once I'm in the city it turns off. I can't stand the loss of power. Feels like I lose 2 cylinders.

+1

Mine has always been really bad. It just loses so much power. I always wondered why I can't feel the loss in my 2.0l focus 4cly, but on my 4.6l v8 it feel like I drop about 20hp...

Makes me wonder if swapping A/C compressors might be an option?

Riley

 

[timeless2]

My DD ('98 Civic coupe) doesn't even seem to experience any loss in power when the compressor is engaged.

 

[Dragstr05]

Its really NOT that bad...

 

[Mustang5L5]

When you stomp the pedal to the floor and go WOT the AC shuts off so it wouldn't matter if you had it on/off while racing...

True, but running the A/C for an extended period of time causes a lot of heat to build up under the hood...especially if you are idling around in city traffic on a 95 degree day.

Yes it's true that the A/C turns off when you go WOT, but at that point the engine is so heat-soaked that it's still going to be slightly sluggish.

My A/C robs a TON of power. That's why i hate using it. Starting from a stop slipping the clutch requires a little more finess. Then when i'm cruising around it feels like i lost 50HP.

If i'm in traffic it's worse. I find that i need to cruise on the highway for a little bit with the a/c off to cool things down to the point where my car is as peppy as usual.


My friends have said the same thing with their Mustangs

 

[RoadconeTuning]

mine is actually EASIER to drive around in traffic with the A/C on lol.. and i can feel a hit but its nothing like it was on my 86 fiero gt... that thing would actually go from 70 down to like 63 just when the compressor kicked on lol

 

[CRZYHRSGT]

The drop in power on the Stang bugs me, but then I think back to my first car ('84 Rabbit diesel ~ 48bhp BEFORE the compressor kicked on) and how friends would laugh when I turned the A/C off just so I could make it thru a traffic intersection...

 

[thomas91169]

dudes i hate to say it but im all stock, and i drove it all day today and used the ac at different times and i still have not felt a difference doing the same kind of driving. and i have 90k on the clock. my mileage suffers when the ac is on, not my performance, nor do i have to give it any additional input to get up to speed.

 

[Tally_4.6]

My A/C is broke anyway, so my windows are down 24/7. It would be nice to have it on occassion, but oh well.

 

[K'Dash]

dudes i hate to say it but im all stock, and i drove it all day today and used the ac at different times and i still have not felt a difference doing the same kind of driving. and i have 90k on the clock. my mileage suffers when the ac is on, not my performance, nor do i have to give it any additional input to get up to speed.

Everyone I know with a Mustang says the AC robs power like a mofo. Maybe you got a lucky one. When driving my Explorer and Monte Carlo I can't tell the difference. My old Ranger had a slight loss of power but it wasn't as bad as my Mustang. The Mustang is just horrible.

 

[MaxedGT]

It does rob power. I found that after installing the underdrive pullies, it's hardly noticable now. And the a/c won't hurt your gas milage as much then either. A real benefit of underdrive pullies that doesn't seem to get mentioned. Don't go with the piggy back type though.

 

[Skud]

I wonder what the issue is..

Did ford maybe go overkill on the A/C compressor? Would swapping a smaller compressor fix it? Like from a focus?

Riley

 

[CRZYHRSGT]

I wonder what the issue is..

Did ford maybe go overkill on the A/C compressor? Would swapping a smaller compressor fix it? Like from a focus?

Riley

You'd better copywrite that before Granatelli slaps their name on it and makes it their newest p-mod.

 

[Mossberg]

I used to notice the power difference until I got 4.10s put in. Now the car feels like it pulls normal with the A/C on.

My daily driver on the other hand feels like I lose 50hp when the A/C is on.