While an old post, there is something new in AC options for the mini and other cars. Take a look at www.seanhylandmotorsport.com They are selling a 12V compressor that looks like the one in you fridge. Mounts anywhere but needs 40 amps, I would think a 70amp or more alternator would do.

I would hope he has sorted it by now! This post is from 2011.

Not sure what year car the OP has, but I think the Jap MINI AC will only mount to an A+
(feel free to correct)

I have one for sale on the Seattle Area Mini Owners web site.  Will be posting it on MM soon.  Local pick up only.  It is out of a Japanese RHD.  $200.  Michael

Mini use to fix A/C in 1997 and it was called Mini Kensington. It was produced for the Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Belgian and German markets

I added A/C to mine during my resto build last year. I found a package on Ebay which was almost complete but was missing most of the mounting hardware, some hoses and instructions. Knowing nothing about A/C install, it took me a bit to figure out how to make it all work but work it does. I dont know if these kits are common or I just got "lucky"?

Pics of the build, including many shots of the A/C install can be viewed at the following links:

Part 1 - //www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1394372109418.53163.1535652328&l=de5d5fc5bc&type=1

Most of the a/c compressors i have seen over the years have a suction side and discharge side but i dont know if it would work the same in reverse. Maybe you could make a temporary stand with an electric motor and run it and see or call an a/c specialist. I have seen vtec Mini's with the a/c compressor mounted backwards in the inner fender though.

I actually did contact DJ's about that kit, but it was for a SPI Mini (side mount radiator.)

At the height of the MPI re-vin craze, it was usually the LHD MPI's that offered A/C (if it was offered at all.) I can't recall ever seeing a RHD MPI A/C Mini for sale.

Anyway, the main issue for the MPI Mini is that the A/C compressor has to be mounted with clutch facing the engine - i.e. mounts to the inner wing. The normal mounting (like the JPN Minis) will foul the front-mount radiator due to lack of clearance. As I've studied A/C systems over the years, I'm kind of gaining confidence I can build my own mount. But, I don't know if any random A/C compressor can run in a "reversed" direction (i.e. if I took a SPI A/C compressor, which I have, could it be flipped and still work properly, perhaps by reversing the hoses.)

 

I have never seen or heard of an mpi front mount radiator Mini with a/c installed, only seen the side mount rads used with a/c but i guess anything can be done. I would think it is easier to install a side mount radiator and fit a/c than to try and get the compressor mounted with a front mount radiator.

//www.djminis.com/pages/specials.html

DJ Minis (Tampa, FL area) is advertising an Astro Air for $2,200.

 

Contact Angel Ruiz (Maddog). He still has many contacts in the auto A/C business. He can get all of the components for the Japanese spec system and may be able to determine exactly what Astro Air used. (His former employer may even have supplied the components to Astro Air.) The was a company (out of San Antonio, Texas, I think) called Vintage Air that also made a kit for side mounted radiator Minis. They specialize in custom A/C installations for classics and hot-rods.

Ah, a pity, I guess I won't hold my breath then waiting for an answer.  The Japanese spec a/c doesn't fit directly to a front-mount radiator Mini because the compressor fouls the radiator. The JPN Minis of course had side-mount rads.

Astro Air in the UK did the A/C for the MPI Minis (I imagine as a dealer option, as I don't believe A/C was ever a factory offering.) They also sold kits (I've seen them, have the instructions for them, and am kicking myself for not buying the kit when I had the chance back in 2004-2005.) But I think they went out of business. There is a Astro Air listing in England, but it says it was incorporated in 2003, so I'm a bit skeptical this is the same company. But maybe A/C for MPI Minis didn't start showing up until then?

 

 

do you have an ad or contact info you can pass on for this one?

Don't hold your breath, their website has been advertising it that way for at least a couple of years. You would be better off finding someone that has removed one from a Jap spec Mini and retro fit it to yours.

The British A/C company link has got me excited. I haven't seen any companies, either in the USA or UK, that do Mini A/C anymore. I hope they have a, or can do, an MPI compressor mounting... thanks for that link!

 

 

There's a quite nice Japanese car for sale in Portland, OR, complete with A/C

Google found this

//www.britishac.com/ac/austin-mini-ac-3.php

might be worth a call.

sent me a pm [email protected] thanks

Las Vegas NV

Where are you located? Can be quite complex all depends on your climate