Most compact front accessor drive kit and other swap parts?

[jlwdvm]

I finally bit the bullet and got my LS ordered... a 570 horse LS3 from Texas Speed. I am looking for some input on who has the most compact front accessory drive kit (no AC) for the LS motor going into a 69 Firebird with stock sub frame. Looking for one that doesn't have the alternator so far up and out on the driver side. Also looking for motor mounts, frame mounts, trans cross member for T56, headers, oil pan for road course driving, etc. Any input would be great!

[mikespeed95]

I've always been a fan of the stock 4th gen Fbody accessories. .02

[InMotionJosh]

I like the Concept One kit. Thats what my car will get.

[65_LS1_T56]

Had the same dilemma. I built my own, works great.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/Completed%20Chassis%20June%202013/IMG_2034_zpsc97a2899.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/Completed%20Chassis%20June%202013/IMG_2034_zpsc97a2899.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/Completed%20Chassis%20June%202013/IMG_2033_zpsf59f4a85.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/Completed%20Chassis%20June%202013/IMG_2033_zpsf59f4a85.jpg.html)

[tubbed69]

the Vintage Air LS Frontrunner is the most compact I have seen,I have bought 4 of these kits and they are super nice.http://www.detroitspeed.com/Drive-Systems/vintage-air-front-runner.html#

[carbuff]

I've been really happy with my Wegner setup. I don't know how they compare in terms of being compact with the Vintage Air setup, but it has to be pretty close. Mine does have AC, but I know they have plenty of kits such that you can determine which works best for you.

http://s41657.storefront-solutions.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=38

The WAK-033 kit is really nice because of the high-wrap on the PS pulley, although it does have AC.

[chichirone]

I've been really happy with my Wegner setup. I don't know how they compare in terms of being compact with the Vintage Air setup, but it has to be pretty close. Mine does have AC, but I know they have plenty of kits such that you can determine which works best for you.

http://s41657.storefront-solutions.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=38

The WAK-033 kit is really nice because of the high-wrap on the PS pulley, although it does have AC.

2x re:Wegner. We are running it on our 73 TA. It's much more compact than the accessory drive on my 69 Camaro from Speed and Performance. The guys at Texas Speed recommended the Autokraft oil pan and dingo motor mounts and I've had good success with the DSE motor mounts. Check out Mark Stielow's build thread Camaro XV for some great info regarding parts selection and build recommendations. Good luck with the install. Sounds like a cool project.

[Solid LT1]

Ventura Speed Center LS drive from their SEMA 68 Camaro. Reasonably priced looks good, easily installed.

[jlwdvm]

Had the same dilemma. I built my own, works great.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/Completed%20Chassis%20June%202013/IMG_2034_zpsc97a2899.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/Completed%20Chassis%20June%202013/IMG_2034_zpsc97a2899.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/Completed%20Chassis%20June%202013/IMG_2033_zpsf59f4a85.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/Completed%20Chassis%20June%202013/IMG_2033_zpsf59f4a85.jpg.html)
Interesting.....how did you get this done? Looks great! Thanks for all the help.

[youthpastor]

X2 on the Vintage Air- nice piece

[jlwdvm]

.....I'm not sure Vintage Air makes a kit for a non-AC application.

[67machrod]

Check out drivejunky.com. I just ordered a kit today from them.

[65_LS1_T56]

Interesting.....how did you get this done? Looks great! Thanks for all the help.

I started with a F-body setup. The low mount alternator was occupying the same space as the steering box so it had to move. I didn't want air on it and I never cared for the look of the the ps pump and alternator hanging off the drivers side and nothing but an idler on the passenger side.

So I found and alternator with side lugs and started with it infront of the ps cylinder head and worked it out from there. It basically is 10mm (.394") further forward than the F-body accessories are stock. I moved the tensioner to the old alternator position and made a bracket for that and the power steering pump too.
The balancer is SB Chevy for a bolt on pulley from ATI with a short March pulley with a spacer to position the drive belt inline.

It was a lot of work to design and machine all the brackets but it does work well and is pretty compact too. As you can see, there is good belt wrap on everything, something I was planning for as I was figuring it out.

Hope that helps,

[jlwdvm]

My Texas Speed motor comes with a C6 non-AC system. I've looked at the DriveJunky systems already and they look very similar to the C6. I need a non-AC system. Texas Speed will change out the c6 system if I find a different one that I like. They will also change out the GM Hot Rod oil pan that comes with the motor. Looking at a Holley 302-s, put am open to suggestions for a road course compatible pan.

[forcepower]

I'm running the stock corvette set-up as it is the most compact from the factory. It also was a complete pull out

[jlwdvm]

C6? Is the alternator high on the drivers side?

[Bowtieracing]

Just think why pay 2000+ bucks for billet drives when you can gm engineered systems way cheaper. All gm kits can be bought without ac. And brackets can be easily sanded and painted if want custom look.

Google C6 drive and you can see how it fits. I have one in my camaro and it fits perfect.

[forcepower]

C6? Is the alternator high on the drivers side?


yes from a c6. here is a pic:

http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy2/saturnracer0/post%20pics/20140305_104909_zpszqch2tc9.jpg (http://s772.photobucket.com/user/saturnracer0/media/post%20pics/20140305_104909_zpszqch2tc9.jpg.html)

http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy2/saturnracer0/post%20pics/20140305_104929_zpskwacqs3n.jpg (http://s772.photobucket.com/user/saturnracer0/media/post%20pics/20140305_104929_zpskwacqs3n.jpg.html)

[jlwdvm]

Check out post 14 and 18....what set up is this and will it work on an LS3? I think they are F-body drives?
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=19486&page=2

[forcepower]

Check out post 14 and 18....what set up is this and will it work on an LS3? I think they are F-body drives?
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=19486&page=2

yes,those pics look like the f-body set-up