if i have the AC on, the car is not as powerful...it doesn't happen to civics....is this normal??? if not, how do i fix this?

 

This is called having almost a 3000 lb car with 120 hp, yes the car is a complete dog with AC on, nothing is wrong...

 

What Civics have you been in? Ones with busted AC?

 

yeah, it happens to EVERY car. the pulley from the AC creates more drag, thus robs power. and you probably didnt notice it in civics because they have no power to begin with!

 

lol Petey.
I agree, just pay attention to what your engine does when you turn the AC on. A fan kicks on and the idle goes up. It's normal.

 

Yes. Though I'm not looking to get into a pissing match about Civics' power outputs.

The compressor uses a clutch to engage/disengage. When it's engaged in any type of car with a belt driven AC compressor (all that I'm aware of) it will take power from your wheels because it's turning another pulley. You probably wouldn't notice, but at WOT it also disengages.

The fan/raised idle you're desribing Brian I believe is known as "Idle Jack".

 

Actually, I have noticed, because the car actually accelerates with the AC on at WOT, while my brother's V6 Firebird did not.

 

Just remember that you dont drive a Civic. Both cars have their advandages and disadvantagous. one of the advantages the Lancer has over a Civic (and a lot of the Hondas, possibly all with AC) is that in the Lancer the AC pulley is clutched. This means that when the AC is off it's a free spinning pully with no load. (so dont bother taking off belts and bi-passing your AC pully) while a Civic's pully is always spinning with a load on it. Weather it's on or not. What does this mean for Civic drivers? If you take of your Power Steering/AC belt (its not a centrifical belt, there are 2 of them) you will gain 15-20 WHP. But for us Lancer drivers all we could do is bi-pass our power steering for a quick more power mod. But since both Civics and Lancers do have power stearing, the rack is set up different and by not using it you will have to turn the wheel with Superman force. Its not impossible to turn, just really hard.


Danno

 

i have both a lancer and a civic (2001 EX) and it does the same thing, AC on, car lags, but usually the civic just down shifts (i think the PCM in the civic is "smarter" than the lancer's)

 

Ok, so I won't get a hp increase by disconnecting the AC? Just a 50 lb weight reduction.