[91TB78]

For all you that know more than me (most of you!! )

In hotter climates I know that a car works a bit harder, especially with the air conditioning on. With a larger displacement car the effect of a/c is less (or so I've felt). The car I have right now has a 2.2L I4 and when I drive with the a/c on it feels like it "studders" or has a hard time. I know it only has about 125hp and that a/c can take off quite a bit of power from the car.

So, my question is this. Since the STi is only a littler larger displacement than my current car and is turbocharged (which is greatly affected in heat) will living in a place like Texas or other boiling temp states in conjunction to me using a/c make a huge impact on the drivability of the STi? What about the reliability?

When I drive my current car in the summer with a/c on I feel sorry for it since it probably has been reduced in power to about Geo Metro power.

 

[CloNeGTS]

I think most newer cars are pretty good with A/Cs. My Celica has no low end power whatsoever, yet it isn't horrible to drive with the A/C on. I'd think with the higher power levels, the A/C on the STi will be a slight power draw....noticible, but not horrible. Usually it's the less torquey cars that really hate A/C.

Just my $.02

 

[91TB78]

Well the torque on the Accord isn't too high, except when it gets up there in the revs (you know like the Celica..but not quite as much torque ).

Anyone else have any experience in this matter?

 

[VV]

I have noticed in my wife's WRX that the air conditioning actually helps improve the responsiveness of the turbo. The A/C increases the idle load of the engine, so when you push on the gas there is less turbo lag. It actually makes the car seem to have more power. The difference in peak power is unnoticable.

There isn't much you can do about the heat's effect on the turbo, unless you install your A/C core in the air intake. I assume it is too humid for inlet water spraying to make much of a difference.

 

[chawklit]

are you saying that ac has more negative effects on smaller displacement cars or larger ones?, b/c if you're saying larger ones then i've had no problem with the a/c - power on the 99 corvette and that's quite a bit more than 2 liters i think :wink:

I've never heard of this problem about air conditioning and power. hmmm

 

[SnowbordrWRX]

Isn't that what the IC Waterspray is for? Now if they have a kit that automatically sprays the IC once it reaches a certain temp, then that would be cool (no pun intended) :wink:

 

[91TB78]

are you saying that ac has more negative effects on smaller displacement cars or larger ones?, b/c if you're saying larger ones then i've had no problem with the a/c - power on the 99 corvette and that's quite a bit more than 2 liters i think :wink:

I've never heard of this problem about air conditioning and power. hmmm

No, smaller problems have a more difficult time. The issue with using a/c is that it reduces power b/c of how much power it takes to use a/c. (if that makes sense).

Isn't that what the IC Waterspray is for? Now if they have a kit that automatically sprays the IC once it reaches a certain temp, then that would be cool (no pun intended)

Well, yeah..sort of. The IC sprayer will help deliver more power b/c it will keep the intake charge nice and cool/dense. I am talking more on the effects that the air conditioner has on "robbing" power from the engine since its another accessory that runs of engine power.

 

[miked801]

Labrador Retreivers

I've never heard of this problem about air conditioning and power. hmmm

the a/c pulls power from the engine using a pulley - it affects all engines with a/c. that's why people buy underdrive pulleys; they lessen the amount of power that accessories (like a/c) rob from the engine.

 

[VV]

The futrue of Subaru?

I live in Colorado where it is too dry most of the time. One way you can get a little extra power on really hot days is to have a spray system that injects water into the air box. The evaporation cools the intake air, while making it more dense, both of which improve power. The IC water sprayer on the STi only sprays the outside of the IC, so it cools, but does not add water to the air, further increasing the density.

Actually the best thing to do would be to spray inside and outside the IC so that you improve heat transfer and take advantage of evaporation. Has anyone ever heard of anyone trying to use an A/C to air IC?

I design and build power plants, so these techniques are used all the time in my work. I'm just wondering how far they have been applied to cars.

 

[chawklit]

wouldn't water in the air mixture affect detonation?

 

[jbhebert]

Yes. Believe it or not, it would reduce detonation. There's another thread around here somewhere regarding water injection setups. They're used primarily on aircraft engines, but the principle holds true for any IC engine.