Plus 2 heater

[Greg Foster]

Gus,
What Vintage Air unit did you use? Also I take it you are setting up A/C with the same...... How is that working with the space available underneath the dash?
The PO of my car had installed an AC unit under the dash. He removed the glovebox to get the exchanger placed. So I am out of a glove box and without heat. The car came from southern coastal GA. I have the car dismantled and am in the process of reconfiguring the HVAC.
Thanks
Greg

[vxah]

Gus, what is the issue with the Exige unit? I run a 2007 Europa that I guess has the same unit? I find it ok but you can never get an airflow without the nosey fan running? Looking around the cabin I cannot find where the air escapes to the outside so I am thinking that would create pressure build up ad reduce performance?

The +2 that I have had for 33 years and 15 days has the rear vents but a pants blower system? No A/C but I live in GB so don't need it for the 2 days a year it's warm outside!

[gus]

http://www.vintageair.com/instructions2 ... -vux-a.pdf

I think if I did it again, I would use the Gen II mini system, it is oh so slightly larger, but I think in ways that are not a problem

The glovebox stays, with a very small mod, and you get a full depth radio slot. I made new knee trim to allow a bit more width there, it doesn't matter as it never gets narrower than the footwell

it is tight as it is much wider, but the performance is so much better, and no significant mods to the body

I replaced the ashtray with a vent.....

[gus]

The Elise Exige heater AC is a known POS., so many issues I would say look it up....

[gus]

lotuselan-plus2-f51/air-conditioning-t30738.html

pics of the same unit I used

[Robbie693]

I never found the plus two heater to be very useful. If you wanted decent performance, a higher output fan might be an avenue for research. Oddly the dash vents never route through the heater core, and I would bet if there was a way to do that heating performance would be improved.

That's so you can get the 'cool air to the face, warm air to the feet' that is seemingly always referred to in 60's-80's road tests

I do like the feature, I find modern cars very stifling when all the outlets put out the same warm air temp. Also means I can cool off while my girlfriend is toasting her feet!

[gus]

Or because they are idjits

Seriously, never saw any reason or use for this 'feature'

turn the heat on and open the window would be more useful

I did remember that the heater I linked has only floor heat towards the driver, so the SO loses out, but can turn heat out the vent when she gets cold

[gus]

So I was bored and looking at my empty +2 heater box.

If I were to use it as a case for redesign, this is what I am thinking

External heater valve
remove internal temp door
move heater core so fan always blows through it

I think this would work because:

Shorter path for defrost, major failure in stick config
Heated air through vents when required, higher airflow into cabin, better cold weather performance
no obvious downsides