How much power to turn AC compressor?

[NfWiseguy]

My AC system is entirely leaked out, and I won't have the cash to fix it until the summer, so I'm wondering if it would be in the interest of performance to bypass the compressor with another belt until I can get it fixed.

About how much power does it sap from the crank to turn the compressor? And I'm going to assume that not all 2.5's came with AC, meaning I wouldn't have a problem finding one.

[pwhitelock]

Practically nothing as when the A/C is switched off the pulley disengages from the compressor via a clutch so only the pulley is being spun. So the weight of the pulley from the drive is all you have.

[bensenvill]

correct, the cougar was available without A/C and if you look on your hood or strut tower, there is a belt diagram that shows the cougar without A/C. You can go to any autozone Etc, and get the part number for that, so thats real easy.

and yes, you wont really find any gains on doing that... I did it and didnt notice the slightest difference.

[NfWiseguy]

right right right, i totally forgot about the clutch on the compressor.

thanks guys.