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Thread: E21 M20 Owners: Have you replaced your original axial AC compressor?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2023
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    9999 xxxx

    E21 M20 Owners: Have you replaced your original axial AC compressor?

    Did you replace your Bosch/Nippondenso compressor with an aftermarket compressor, or one of the Bosch/Behr wing cell type compressors? What did you use?

    I'm restoring an '82 323. I'm looking for something that will bolt up to the original AC engine brackets, using some spacers to make it fit properly.

    I've tried searching for the Bosch/Behr units, but nothing on the web, so far, has stated which model they are.

    I know from BMW's parts catalog that these compressors were also used on the '80s 6 and 7 series, and that BMW went to a wing cell compressor for them, but I haven't been able to find a reliable listing for them either.

    Thanks -

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
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    Boston
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    7,444
    My Cars
    1979 323i BMW. 2003 GTI 20 V Turbo
    Since I did the later model E30 Swap M20 I am going to use the E30 AC unit...
    "..Horsepower is a measure of work done over time, or the rate at which work is done."




    http://www.cardomain.com/ride/579694/1


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    DFW TX USA
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    1,447
    My Cars
    1983 320I, 1986 325E
    Get a M20 Sanden bracket. You can use a Sanden SD 508 or SD 709 with it. I am using a SD508 clone that I bought for $80 with a 10 year warranty. You can have a hydraulic hose shop put the correct hose ends on if yours don't fit. The sanden or clone will be a huge improvement over any stock compressor from the 1980s. I have this setup in my 325e currently and I will eventually put a sanden compressor in my 320i.

    M-20 BMW Sanden conversion bracket | L.C. Wylie & Co. (bigcartel.com)
    Last edited by Thecatmilton; 11-20-2023 at 09:26 AM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    908
    My Cars
    G05, F15, E46, E21 (x2)
    Quote Originally Posted by Thecatmilton View Post
    Get a M20 Sanden bracket. You can use a Sanden SD 508 or SD 709 with it. I am using a SD508 clone that I bought for $80 with a 10 year warranty. You can have a hydraulic hose shop put the correct hose ends on if yours don't fit. The sanden or clone will be a huge improvement over any stock compressor from the 1980s. I have this setup in my 325e currently and I will eventually put a sanden compressor in my 320i.

    M-20 BMW Sanden conversion bracket | L.C. Wylie & Co. (bigcartel.com)
    Good solution. Just keep in mind that (most, if not all) of the Sanden type compressor conversion brackets utilize the OEM aluminum accessory/compressor bracket, so do not throw it away.

    For the M10 engine (320i), no one makes a bracket that I could find, so you have to make your own. You can find a bracket for the 2002 M10 engine, but that engine has a different crank pulley setup and wont work on the E21 M10 engine. I fabricated my own bracket using the 2002 (aftermarket Sanden) bracket and the original E21 (York) bracket.
    Last edited by DavidF; 11-20-2023 at 11:19 AM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    norcal
    Posts
    138
    My Cars
    82 c1 2.3, 92 M5T
    These guys make a bracket too. I know nothing about the quality, etc. And, unlike L.C. Wylie, they are not sold out.....
    Last edited by inkatouring; 11-24-2023 at 12:49 PM.
    1972 BMW 2000 touring (restoration in progress), 1982 Alpina C1 2.3 (restoration in progress), and a 1992 BMW M5T (DD)

    my restoration blog: https://www.alpinac1.com/

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