Compressor from a 2015 Chevy pickup 5.3 V8, using powertrain for an engine swap and would prefer to keep the stock compressor if possible.

I'd like to keep the variable displacement but need a mechanical control valve to replace the electronic one. Does such a valve exist for Denso compressors?

Think a rear-exit V5/V7 would be easier than the top port type. Only because I did a water pump on a '90 G20 last week, it's kinda cramped in there. Didn't see a HPCO on that one IIRC they didn't get one from the factory until R134. The low side pressure control with a V5/7 is the control valve in t...

I'll gamble a V5 with top mount hose block - see '97 Caddy Catera or '05 Buick Century - or a Sanden 7176 would work in place of the Explorer compressor.

Ask GPD for a performance chart for their R4 scroll. Maybe you'll get a different answer than I did.

I may pull an R4 from my local pic-a-part and re-seal it my self. As long as the compressor move freely and hear the compression strokes - suction and exhaust, it should be fine. Correct? Nope - won't know how noisy/rattly it is until it's under load. The greasiest, nastiest, bottom of core barrel ...

Understand your issue with fitment and existing work (and nice work, btw) on brackets but an R4 is the last compressor I'd ever retrofit to something. Few weeks ago asked a supplier for performance chart/curve of an "R4 scroll" compressors and they couldn't produce one - without that impos...

Have a '14 Outback in the stable here (Northeastern US) it keeps the creatures inside cool in the low 40's. On the hottest days can kinda feel a wall of heat behind your head, like the system is marginal for the interior sq/ft of a station wagon. At night on highway vents will get into the high 30's...

Local parts house mentioned some GPD-branded R4 compressors are now a scroll design in the same R4 package. Haven't had one here yet.

Would be nice to have a drop-in R4 replacement curious if anyone has tried one yet.

Multiple passes "to get the air out" doesn't sound right. Overcharge, high side restriction, air, all good candidates.

Had a '96 GMC doing very similar to yours and it was an overcharge. (3.5lbs recovered from a system spec'd at 2lbs)

Fans should be controlled by the high side pressure and/or state of a/c request not just engine temp.

Is the LS engine PCM controlling the fans?

At static pressure both switches are closed / have continuity. Check there's +12v at the LPCO on the light blue wire when it's connected to the switch (back probe) and a/c is requested. If so both switches are good, pressures are in range and head unit is supplying +12v. If that passes check at at P...