Is there a more compact bolt-on AC condenser available?

[Nihilation]

Be it for better airflow to the radiator or in the name of weight savings, is there a more compact AC condenser available that would work? First thought would be something from Mini. Curious to hear if this has been done before.

[Obioban]

I know the factory radiator is supposed to be sufficient for our cars however while reading up on the boards, I've seen it stated a few times that the AC condenser blocks a lot of airflow and removing it has really helped lower water temps.

So with that in mind...

For those who track their cars and are looking for a little better cooling while not losing AC (or changing to a more efficient radiator), is there a more compact AC condenser available that would work? First thought would be something from Mini. Curious to hear if this has been done before.

Are you having coolant overheating issues? If no, I'd do nothing.

If yes, I bet a new stock condenser would go a long way towards helping-- a large part of the problem is that the fins get beat up over time, blocking flow. That's a long, slow process-- decade+. New stock would probably be the best option for a long, long time... if you're having issues in the first place.

(and only $83 shipped from FCP for OEM)

[Nihilation]

Are you having coolant overheating issues? If no, I'd do nothing.

If yes, I bet a new stock condenser would go a long way towards helping-- a large part of the problem is that the fins get beat up over time, blocking flow. That's a long, slow process-- decade+. New stock would probably be the best option for a long, long time... if you're having issues in the first place.

Yes, my car was overheating, but that's not the topic of this thread.

We've already established that a good condition factory AC condenser and radiator should be sufficient for track day use and if there are cooling issues, check there as fins may be bent and blocking airflow. Got it.

Maybe I should edit the original post to remove the radiator statement. I simply want to know if anyone has tried or knows of a more compact AC compressor that would work on our cars -- in the name of weight savings, perhaps.

[Rich022]

Condenser or compressor? smaller condenser for airflow to radiator and compressor for weight savings. All compressors are pretty heavy. i have not heard of anyone swapping out either however, I would love to swap out to a smaller condenser for better airflow to the radiator. However, i believe the AC parts work as a system together ie sized as a unit to work/cool properly.

[terra]

330d condenser is a fair bit shorter (I guess to clear the intercooler on those cars), probably would be plug and play




Standard condenser for comparison:

[Obioban]

According to realoem the M3 (and CSL, cause I was curious) unit is 1.950 kg and the 330d unit is 1.887 kg.

So, seems likely they made it thicker to get the same cooling capacity.

Which is exactly what the OP said he was looking for in the original post-- more compact.