LS Engine Accessory Drive

by IndyG3 Wed May 19, 2010 6:51 am

Has anyone here done a newer LS style engine swap into a 3rd gen A-body? I feel like someone did, and I forgot who... scratch

Anyway, if anyone has (or wants to chime in), what's the best set up for the accessory drive routing for a car with A/C, power steering, etc.? Would the use of the truck pulley system work? What about the Camaro or the Corvette systems? Custom setup perhaps? I'm looking for a good deal on these things right now and they're almost cheaper than a small block rebuild in my parts.

by Malicruiser Wed May 19, 2010 10:52 pm

IndyG3 wrote:Has anyone here done a newer LS style engine swap into a 3rd gen A-body? I feel like someone did, and I forgot who...
Anyway, if anyone has (or wants to chime in), what's the best set up for the accessory drive routing for a car with A/C, power steering, etc.? Would the use of the truck pulley system work? What about the Camaro or the Corvette systems? Custom setup perhaps? I'm looking for a good deal on these things right now and they're almost cheaper than a small block rebuild in my parts.

I did the LS swap in our late A-body's. I'll tell you right now, your not going to get the AC compressor to fit with ANY factory accessory drive. The compressor bolts to the block low down, wich means you have 3 options; 1- Throw out the AC all together (I did since mine never worked, and to shave weight); 2- Get a aftermarket accessory drive, expensive but looks great and fixes all fitment problems; 3- cut a big notch in your crossmember! For obvious reasons I don't really support the last option.

by 74Malibu383 Thu May 20, 2010 11:09 am

I have a friend building a 65 olds with a LS motor in it. He notched the crossmember to fit the AC compressor and it came out great. Obviously, you have to be handy with a welder, but it can be done.

Or, you could always go with Vintage Air's Front Runner serpentine setup. It's wicked expensive, but it looks amazing and has the compressor up top.

by coreys73chevelle Thu May 20, 2010 4:11 pm

someone here has a black elcamino with a ls1

by Malicruiser Thu May 20, 2010 9:10 pm

coreys73chevelle wrote:someone here has a black elcamino with a ls1

Sorry, but it's not an elcamino. It's my 74 Chevelle.

by The Dude Thu May 20, 2010 11:18 pm

I know what Corey is talking about, but I can't remember who done it. There is another member with an LS swap. They only made a couple of posts though.

by coreys73chevelle Thu May 20, 2010 11:21 pm

yea he hasnt been on here in a long time. i think there was some pictures in the gallery

by Malicruiser Fri May 21, 2010 1:21 am

Rago wrote:I know what Corey is talking about, but I can't remember who done it. There is another member with an LS swap. They only made a couple of posts though.

Man, where was I when that was going on?

by Malicruiser Fri May 21, 2010 2:10 am

I found think I found exactly what you need. These are from Kwik Performance, and are complete bolt in's. The alternator & powersteering bracket is only $287.00, and the AC bracket is only $197.00. That's less than $500.00, and no frame notching! I know I'm going to be ordering the alt/pwrstr bracket for my car here soon.
LS Engine Accessory Drive Isocol10

by Malicruiser Fri May 21, 2010 2:18 am

Hope that helps.

by IndyG3 Fri May 21, 2010 4:53 am

Thanks for all the input so far.
I like Malicruiser's solution quite a bit. If it would work that really would be a good deal, since I probably couldn't get the materials to make it for that price.
One thing that I've heard is that you can do the same thing with an A/C pump out of a 4.3 v6. I don't know if the 4.3's pump bracket would fit on a 5.3 very easily, but if it did that would cut down the cost considerably.

by The Dude Fri May 21, 2010 9:54 am

Malicruiser wrote:
Rago wrote:I know what Corey is talking about, but I can't remember who done it. There is another member with an LS swap. They only made a couple of posts though.
Man, where was I when that was going on?

I think it was about a year ago. I couldn't find any posts right off hand, but it's here somewhere.

by Malicruiser Fri May 21, 2010 3:39 pm

Rago wrote:
Malicruiser wrote:
Rago wrote:I know what Corey is talking about, but I can't remember who done it. There is another member with an LS swap. They only made a couple of posts though.
Man, where was I when that was going on?

I think it was about a year ago. I couldn't find any posts right off hand, but it's here somewhere.

Well if you find it will you send me a link? I'll keep looking in the mean time.

by Malicruiser Fri May 21, 2010 3:42 pm

IndyG3 wrote:Thanks for all the input so far.
I like Malicruiser's solution quite a bit. If it would work that really would be a good deal, since I probably couldn't get the materials to make it for that price.
One thing that I've heard is that you can do the same thing with an A/C pump out of a 4.3 v6. I don't know if the 4.3's pump bracket would fit on a 5.3 very easily, but if it did that would cut down the cost considerably.

I don't think the 4.3's pump brackets will work, they're almost I dentical to the Votec 350 brackets. I definately know the one on my 97's 4.3 won't work, and from what I can find the newer 4.3's still had the same brackets.

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