Installing GT86 AC unit?
 

Can you install the 86/BRZ auto climate control into the FR-S? Is this even possible? If so, what would be necessary to get it installed and working correctly? Has anyone done it yet? Thanks. Sorry for the question bombardment, btw.

I think it's the same as the BRZ Limited unit...yes?

Yes, but I wanted to know how it would be installed as it uses a different wiring harness.

The parts catatlog shows 4 different part numbers for the dash harness. Preimum AT & MT, Limited AT & MT

I would guess that the wiring harnesses are compatible and it's a matter of unplugging your AC controls, getting a harness and plugging everything else in...assuming it lines up physically.

I would imagine that the ECU inputs would be the same with just a different input device between the FRS and BRZ. It might be that the BRZ has some different programming in the ECU for AC controls though.

Also...I bet the harness costs a grip.

Doubtful. The last time I looked into an Auto Climate Control HVAC swap, it turned out the manual HVAC was vacuum operated and the auto HVAC was servo operated.


Probably cost prohibitive. You're better off buying a BRZ and putting an FRS bumper on it.

Has anyone actually looked into doing it on this car? That's the whole reason I started this thread.

People have looked into it. The answer is that no one knows, because no one has done it yet. Given that the car is made by Subaru, you probably would have to get a whole new wiring harness, because Subaru makes theirs model specific 1 piece.

Actually, for Subaru, you usually have to replace the WHOLE harness from ECU to battery to tail lights. They usually are trim specific, and if it doesn't have an option, the harness isn't produced to support it.

Don't be a sellout! Real sports cars don't have modern conveniences such as automatic climate control! I kid. No, but really. :dnftt:

I was looking into this a while ago and starting going through the electrical diagrams. Replacing the whole harness is well probably something most wouldn't trust themselves doing.

The trick would be to build a convertor harness that would provide the additional connections necessary, however Subaru doesn't sell just ends, thus the whole harness would probably be necessary. The next question is, why not purchase a harness and just use the appropriate parts? The harness in question runs about $800 ish. So that's a pretty penny to pay for donor connectors.

I suppose the most cost-effective way to do a swap would be to get the appropriate wiring connections out of a BRZ limited.