Less Power With A/C On
 

I know that running the A/C is a draw on engine power, but it seems the Boxster's loss of power is quite significant, much more than any other car I've driven.

Anyone else notice this? Is this just a characteristic of the car?

I only notice a slight dip in idle when I first turn it on. I have never felt any power loss.

I'll make a confession here:
I can't identify a difference in my laptimes when I forget and leave the A/C on for a session..... hahaha. (I like to turn it on while I'm waiting on the grid... 'cuz I'm overweight, and I sweat alot. You're welcome, for that image) :p

I have never felt any kind of power loss in either my 2.7 base or my S.

You’re not the only one. I felt what I thought was a significant power loss when I had the A/C on in my Boxster. It was why I mostly drove it without it on. I don’t notice it with my C2S.

Keep the rev's up!

The M96 makes most of its power in the upper RPM's. At low RPM + the drag of the A/C, it can feel like its tapped out, but spin it up to 5K rpm and you'll never notice any difference.

The A/C compressor only consumes about 2-3hp which is not very much unless you have one that is failing. Then it will add significantly more load. Revs matter and keeping the car between 3k-6k will eliminate that lagging feeling.

In lap time comparisons I see very little difference with it on. Hot weather has a much greater effect on performance than running the A/C in my testing. Once the car becomes heat-soaked I may give up 2-3 seconds per lap due to both engine and tire grip losses. My personal best laps always happen with plenty of cold air at the intake when ambient temps are 50-60F here in SoCal.

Yes I definitely feel less power with AC on, especially initial launch. Also during shift change with clutch in, rpm drops noticeably quicker. The AC effect lessened after installing underdrive pulley as expected, but still noticeable to me.

Also unlike other cars, my AC compressor clutch does not cycle on and off even the set temp is achieved, once I turn AC on it compressor is always on. I wish it cycles and also disengages at WOT so it does not drag the engine all the time less turned off. Or maybe something is not normal with my system? AC works great, takes little time to chill small cabin.

After thinking more about it, I think that's the right answer, it makes perfect sense. I generally shift between 4k - 5k rpm, but not always. Maybe it was when I didn't that I noticed it the most.

I sure hope that's not the problem. IIRC, a new a/c compressor is something like a $4,000 job.

Interesting. Come to think of it, I started noticing it when the weather turned hot. OTOH, I started using the a/c when the weather turned hot.

I do usually keep the rev up high on my 2.5, but you can’t avoid AC drag at launch unless turn it off.

As mentioned earlier, UDP works for me to counter it and also reduce noise from belt noise and more pleasing engine/ exhaust noise to listen to!

$150 for a compressor from a wrecker + $500 to replace and recharge if you don’t do it yourself.

Well, I was talking about a new one. I was looking at a 987 before I bought my car, and the guy just replaced the a/c compressor, and the bill was about $4,000. I think they changed the drive belt too at the time, and maybe there was something else on the bill, but nothing significant. At least that's what I recall.

Somebody paid the P-car surcharge if they spent $4k on AC....

That's odd. In my 2.5, I have to look at the climate control unit to tell if the AC is on.
There is no noticeable difference throughout the rpm range, on or off. AC is ice cold, too.

Maybe your compressor is tired...

That statement was by theory... because you can’t take off from dead stop with keeping rev up 4-5K high that could be done once you get moving...

I felt more AC drag from dead start with factory pulley, not much now with UDP.

Anyway does your AC clutch cycle on and off? Mine never does and I’m unsure if it is by design or not... most other cars I owned/ owns does...