All the 98's did not have A/C installed. I've got a 98 w/o AC and looked at many at local Ohio dealers when they were new. None had A/C.
It may have been a regional thing, but it definitely wasn't standard for all R's in 98.
I just found a scanned copy of the 98 ITR brochure. It has A/C listed under "Comfort & Convenience" as "Optional". It also has A/C listed under the "Accessories" along with the Trunk Mat, Floor Mats, Nose Mask, etc. I don't know if this means it's a factory and a dealer installed option or only a dealer installed option. The brochure is amibiguous.
The car mags and Acura made a big splash about the changes on the 00+ ITR's. Those included the new colors and including A/C as standard equipment.
Here's the URL for the brochure I mentioned above.
http://www.geocities.com/typer_801/98_ITR_Specs.jpg
Originally Posted by 97 TYPE-R 312
I purchased my 97 in NOVA new. A/C wasn't installed. I had to order it from them to have installed later. From this area, most 97's didn't have A/C installed. All 98's has A/C installed, along with 00-01's.
Thanks,
Victor