HI, i'm currently trying to install the oem A/C setup in my non A/C equipped 1982 e21.
Main Issue i'm having is that it seems that there was no preparation for the ac setup in cars that did not come optioned with it, and I'm having a problem installing the center console with the evaporator. It seems to have a base plate which bolts to the gearbox tunnel to mount the evaporator/blower for the ac setup, but there are no prepared holes for bolting it to there and also draining condensation from the ac...
Does anyone have an actual pic of this baseplate installed so maybe I can use it as a guideline to install mine? thanks!!
Base plate I am referring to is item #1 here: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=64_0315
and the evap unit #9 attaches ontop of the base plate mentioned before. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=64_0313
Need Help Retrofitting Air Con. System
Re: Need Help Retrofitting Air Con. System
So, Just got some pics of what I was mentioning. this is the base plate which I am trying to install which the evaporator/blower mounts on to.
Has anyone got any details as to how this is attached to the gearbox tunnel? I can see where the plate has holes that bolts most probably passed through to the tunnel to fix it to it, but I a bit worried to drill the panels and mount it before anyone can at least guide me to what fixings to use and maybe also possibly some datum for measurement of where it goes exactly? although I have positioned everything and have a good idea of where it should be mounted.




Has anyone got any details as to how this is attached to the gearbox tunnel? I can see where the plate has holes that bolts most probably passed through to the tunnel to fix it to it, but I a bit worried to drill the panels and mount it before anyone can at least guide me to what fixings to use and maybe also possibly some datum for measurement of where it goes exactly? although I have positioned everything and have a good idea of where it should be mounted.




- Peter V.
- E21 VIP

- Posts: 12128
- Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:42 pm
- My E21(s): '82 320/6
- Location: Breda, Nederland
Re: Need Help Retrofitting Air Con. System
I have an aftermarket aircon unit in the car. Was installed by the previous owner in Italy.
During the installation of my new floorcarpet I noticed that the complete unit was not attached to the floor of the car. I could slided the carpet under the unit.
Only the original bolt was there for the centerconsole and this was also a groundingpoint for some units of the aircon/radio.
The drainingholes are just drilled in the tunnel and had a rubber protection thule for the two hoses.

This is my car with the old carpet in

During the installation of my new floorcarpet I noticed that the complete unit was not attached to the floor of the car. I could slided the carpet under the unit.
Only the original bolt was there for the centerconsole and this was also a groundingpoint for some units of the aircon/radio.
The drainingholes are just drilled in the tunnel and had a rubber protection thule for the two hoses.

This is my car with the old carpet in

Gr Peter V.
.Some say he eats nuts and bolts for breakfast, all we know is he is called the carburetorman.
BMW E21, 1981 320/6 Ascot Grau.
BMW E85, 2004 Z4 2.5i Sterling Grau.
BMW F25, 2014 X3 xDrive 2.8i Space Grau.
.Some say he eats nuts and bolts for breakfast, all we know is he is called the carburetorman.
BMW E21, 1981 320/6 Ascot Grau.
BMW E85, 2004 Z4 2.5i Sterling Grau.
BMW F25, 2014 X3 xDrive 2.8i Space Grau.
Re: Need Help Retrofitting Air Con. System
Thanks Peter, thats interesting as it seems like my unit is only mounted to the tunnel and pushed into the bottom of the heater unit.
Would you happen to have a close up pic of where the drains are positioned on the unit and how it was attached to the bottom of the heater unit?
Also what make was the A/C unit you have installed?
Being aftermarket, I could very easily be different to the factory ac unit, tho it seems like I have come across a few units similar to yours whilst going through pics online trying to figure out how to install mine...
Would you happen to have a close up pic of where the drains are positioned on the unit and how it was attached to the bottom of the heater unit?
Also what make was the A/C unit you have installed?
Being aftermarket, I could very easily be different to the factory ac unit, tho it seems like I have come across a few units similar to yours whilst going through pics online trying to figure out how to install mine...
- Peter V.
- E21 VIP

- Posts: 12128
- Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:42 pm
- My E21(s): '82 320/6
- Location: Breda, Nederland
Re: Need Help Retrofitting Air Con. System
My unit is an "autoclima" and it was not installed by me but the previous owner in Italy.
The hoses I cannot see like now but I have a picture of the old carpet where the holes we're made.



At the first two pictures you can see the draining hoses (black most left and right and behind the fan), the last picture you can see the holes in the old carpet
My unit is almost like the original, It has his own blowerfan which must be switched on otherwise the pumpclutch is not possible to activate. The centerconsole looks almost the same but only the position of the two knobs are sligthly different.

The hoses I cannot see like now but I have a picture of the old carpet where the holes we're made.



At the first two pictures you can see the draining hoses (black most left and right and behind the fan), the last picture you can see the holes in the old carpet
My unit is almost like the original, It has his own blowerfan which must be switched on otherwise the pumpclutch is not possible to activate. The centerconsole looks almost the same but only the position of the two knobs are sligthly different.

Gr Peter V.
.Some say he eats nuts and bolts for breakfast, all we know is he is called the carburetorman.
BMW E21, 1981 320/6 Ascot Grau.
BMW E85, 2004 Z4 2.5i Sterling Grau.
BMW F25, 2014 X3 xDrive 2.8i Space Grau.
.Some say he eats nuts and bolts for breakfast, all we know is he is called the carburetorman.
BMW E21, 1981 320/6 Ascot Grau.
BMW E85, 2004 Z4 2.5i Sterling Grau.
BMW F25, 2014 X3 xDrive 2.8i Space Grau.
Re: Need Help Retrofitting Air Con. System
Thanks, Yes it does look quite similar to the oem setup but different in the way it is mounted to the car.From the pics it seems like it must have some different mounting point as there is no bottom mount as in the oem setup, and without this it will just fall out of place if left un mounted.
Does anyone actually have a pic of the oem setup mounted to the floor? Even if it already removed. I mostly just would like to see where the holes are positioned in the tunnel and how is it mounted to it. thx
Does anyone actually have a pic of the oem setup mounted to the floor? Even if it already removed. I mostly just would like to see where the holes are positioned in the tunnel and how is it mounted to it. thx
Re: Need Help Retrofitting Air Con. System
Hi there-
Sorry its been a few months since your query, but I have my a/c console out right now and took a couple photos that I hope will help you or the next person with the same question:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12ineii ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qG1ySi ... sp=sharing
regards
David
Sorry its been a few months since your query, but I have my a/c console out right now and took a couple photos that I hope will help you or the next person with the same question:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12ineii ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qG1ySi ... sp=sharing
regards
David