[The_Stache]

Originally Posted by scotchsride09

Somehow I knew this thread would end up being about my truck instead of the Camaro...

Sorry if this is repetitive schooling for some of you, but basically, the A/C compressor, when it turns on in all cars; doesn't just come on when the A/C is on. It also comes on if you set the air to defrost; or turn on the heat, because it's used to dry out the air before it sends it to the cabin. The compressor is usually pulley-driven off the crankshaft like just about everything else under the hood. Therefore, when the A/C compressor pulley is engaged, it takes power the engine could be using to drive other things (including my supercharger) and bogs down the engine a little. Now, I exaggerate when I say it's like captaining a yacht but suffice to say that it's still a noticeable; albeit minor difference, which to a driving enthusiast with a 210-hp truck, required exaggeration. (Note: Just because it's supercharged doesn't mean it's Omniscient.)

Now; away from diagnosing my truck: I am in fact aware that this situation is probably not normal (I did already replace the compressor and pulley earlier this year), but I have since noticed A/C compressor bog-down in other vehicles too, including GM vehicles. I just wanted to know if anyone who has actually driven the Camaro has turned on the air and noticed a difference; not sure if it would make a difference with an engine so much more powerful than my current but I am curious about it.

(Second note: For the record, my truck has more tq than hp [231 vs 210] so it has plenty of power; it just loses it when the durn compressor comes on.)

Thanks for your replies though!

Sorry but this is untrue (at least for my truck). My dodges ac compressor does not engage unless i turn on the ac. The models i have found that always run the compressor when any hvac is used are the ones that dont have an "ac" button.