Removing the A/C system frees up a lot of room under the hood and also reduces quite some weight. Below is a picture showing all of the A/C components together. What is not included is the A/C condenser inside the dashboard, quite a large and heavy item as well.

Routing the belt without the A/C compressor is not hard, and unlike a few websites have indicated in the past adding a false A/C compressor pulley is not necessary. The idle pulley can be removed as well. Exact length of the belt is not known but usually does not present an issue as most auto parts stores will allow numerous exchanges of their belts in order to find one that properly fits. A quick disconnect fittings tool may be required to remove the lines, if they are not being cut. Upon removal of all the components, scrapping the components for money may be a better alternative than throwing them out.

The alternator mount can be modified as well, to remove the extra A/C compressor section. The following is an example.

Also see

• Power steering elimination & manual steering rack upgrade
• Ford Escort & ZX2 section for the entire index of all Ford Escort and ZX2 related articles.