AC sucks power, Why is my AC sucking all my torque?? Options

[bigtexbrawler]

I have a 94 celica ST. every time I turn on the AC it feels as if what little torque I have dissapears. I was wondering if there was anything that I could do to possibly solve this problem as it often leaves me choosing power over cool air which can be somewhat uncomfortable in the blazing Texas heat.

[FallenHero]

nothing you can do but get a set of underdrive pulleys Or take the AC out. The engine must use valuable power to spin your AC compressor. This drinks power. This is why race cars have no AC, no power steering, and no other such ammenities.

[Newbie]

Little harsh, don't you think?

The reason that you feel drag of power, is because the A/C compressor has to spin the refreigerant, and since it's liquid, it takes lots of power to do so, just like FallenHero said. Only way to over come the power loss is to make more, so the loss isn't as big as it seems.

[ILuvMyCelica95]

this is why i never used my A/C...

[Kadett]

Turning on your A/C could result in a "power loss" of 5%.
So you can feel it altough i never felt in when drivin in my Nissan Primera 2.0 125 bhp. A/C is the only thing i miss about that car.

[OOBE]

this is why i never used my A/C... 
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I use the A/C while I boost and have never felt a difference...hell...even when it was NA...I didn't notice a loss of power. Is it all across the powerband or in a specific RPM range? I want to know, so I am aware next time. =)

[slipgun]

its across the band but you notice it most in the lower rpm it kicks my cars butt

This post has been edited by slipgun: Jul 30, 2005 - 4:34 PM

[tomazws]

for some reason, driving a stick shift with and without the AC on is like driving 2 different cars....

[soltrain]

sit at idle and turn the AC on/off, you'll notice your RPM blip when you do

[slipgun]

With my other car *87 chevy nova* with the ac on I cant make it up this hill in third gear near my house *live near dc not hilly* and I have to turn off the ac to make it up.

[Andason]

for some reason, driving a stick shift with and without the AC on is like driving 2 different cars....
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ill concur

[Digndoug]

its because your engine starts to drive another belt and item.. I rarely drive with my ac on.. but When i do i drive very slow. Also sence our engines are "dohc" but really arnt, thats why there is such a noticable dif. One cam is a slave, so that will make it seem more noticable.

[Hanyo]

With my other car *87 chevy nova* with the ac on I cant make it up this hill in third gear near my house *live near dc not hilly* and I have to turn off the ac to make it up. 
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haha i drove an 88 chevy nova.. that car rocks..

[K-ESD]

once AC has been run for a little while, it will stay cool for a few minutes when you turn it off so when you need torque, turn off the ac, do your thing and when your back to cruzing, turn it on again.

[ILuvMyCelica95]

sit at idle and turn the AC on/off, you'll notice your RPM blip when you do
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if i sit at a stop light and i turn my AC on and off my car moves, not a lot but you can feel it makes me laugh. ahhh the ST... what a pos