The a/c doesn't rob any horespower as it gets turned off at WOT by the WOT relay, which is under my maf on my car. Instead of the a/c delete kit which I think looks horrible get the power steering relocation kit that brings the p/s pump up to where the compressor was, it cleans it up Alot. Sure the a/c weighs some lbs. but to me it's worth it. I took out my a/c mainly when I did my heater core n then when I did the motor swap. But after driving in NJ summers in Long Pants (for work) I bought a entire polished a/c setup, I just need a condensor....and I can get a recharge for $115 but I know the guy so maybe that's why. What about those cans of R134A that you get in like advance??
Beware some shops will take a little bit of refrigerant out when you get your car worked on so you will come back in the summer to get it checked out or recharged! Believe it or not. I know too many people that have told me their work does it or they know of ones that do it.