328 air conditioner condensor question...

Where i worked, they ordered a new intercooler for a diesel engine turbo outlet, instead of getting the correct one from the engine maker, they tried to save big money and had one made by a specialist company. After fitting this thing which was about 800 kgs, we found that the air going into the engine was far too hot and so were the exhaust temps- turned out it had less air fins on the pipes and the air was roaring through the unit and not getting cooled far enough.

 

They also need a much larger frontal area than the 328 offers in the original location, hence the original solution.
For a modern condenser, you'd probably would have to stick in front of the water radiator to get the necessary surface for your compressor.

For what it's worth, my Mondial when I bought it was equipped with a "modern" condenser with the same frontal area. It was hopelessly inadequate compared to the original "old" style, which I refitted later.

 

Guys, this has been interesting but I've nothing further to add. Aluminum vs Copper, frontal area versus fin area, serpentine vs parallel flow.... all that is debatable ad nauseum. Sticking to facts, I point to the current installation in my 328 - Sanden 7-series rotary compressor, upgraded evaporator with High throughput SPAL blower and custom condensing filter, and the aluminum serpentine condenser from a Ferrari 348, all running on R134a, with barrier hoses and LowE tinting film on all glass - which delivers 37F air at the center register @94F ambient temperature. I can't explain the physics behind achieving a 57F drop from ambient, but I've measured the performance personally, and driven the car throughout the Texas Hill Country in 100F+ summer weather, so I can attest to these results. This is single data point proof that a parallel flow or front-of-radiator condenser is not required in order to achieve adequate cooling in one black 1988 Ferrari 328. I offer all of this only to help anyone who's trying to improve the performance of their system. YMMV.
Now I think I'll go for a drive....
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Sorry - misspelled ad nauseam.

 

A lot of interesting anecdotal info on this thread, but has anyone measured before (healthy system)/after system pressures, temps and superheat to validate and verify major component spec changes?