accy drive on the cheap

[fishface]

Hi all, still in the planning and shopping mode for my swap and looking at different options for accessories. There is some serious nice looking stuff out there but can't see myself paying $2500-$3000. Wondering how many people have built their own. Considering a corvette drive with the Holley brackets with a twist. Looking at powder coating brackets and possibly switching out some components such as ac compressor, alt, water pump with chrome units from Tuff Stuff or is there better? Anyway, if my numbers are right I think I can come up with a functional and nice looking drive for about half of the aftermarket systems and leave enough $$$ to go elsewhere. Any thoughts on this? If you have done something similar and have a pic would be great.

[67Rally]

I got my brackets from lsbrackets.com, and bought the accessories seperately: http://lsbrackets.com/. I used the truck accessory brackets here: http://lsbrackets.com/ls-trucksuv-alternator-relocation-bracket-item-number-ls-0203/ and the pics of the engine with the air cleaner are of mine. Pretty easy guy to work with, and very responsive to e-mails.


Another options is that Pace Performance sells a bunch of different complete LS Accessory Drive kits for LS engines: http://paceperformance.com/c-142691-engine-components-pulleys-accessory-brackets-serpentine-drive-kits-belts-serpentine-drive-kits.html

[jwcarguy]

This seems to be a common issue with the vast majority of people building their cars
While the aftermarket accessory drive setups are top notch quality, are more "compact" in their design, I have found over the years that there is a greater number of car builders that don't have approx $2300-$3000 in the build budget, to shell out just on a accessory drive kit

Again, the aftermarket kits are very nice parts, but they do have their draw backs
ie. alot of us building these cars are doing so with the intentions of driving the hell out of them, putting many miles on them and going on road trips with them, not just a "track car" or show car, getting there on the back of a trailer.

The main benefit to using the GM accessory drive kits, is that if you are on the road with your better half and unfortunately breakdown due to any type of part failure (ie waterpump, alternator, p/s pump, tensioner, etc) you can easily go to any of the local auto parts stores, buy a replacement parts, and be back on the road

With the aftermarket kits, most use specific designed water pumps, alternators, tensioners and p/s pumps all that may or may not be readily available "on the shelf" without it being a special order and a few days out to get the part in to your location

We are going to be using this GM kit and a/c compressor relocation bracket on SpiffaV8's 67' Camaro build that I am working on

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Performance/809/19257325/10002/-1
http://www.kwikperf.com/lsx_ac.html
search on Ebay or other sites and you can easily find "new take off" Corvette balancers approx $75 and water pumps for $100 from crate engines

that puts you into a complete GM accessory drive (Sanden compressor comes with A/C system ordered) for approx $900+ (approx $700 if no a/c)

here is a pic of my personal 68' Camaro w/ Corvette access drive kit

hope this helps,
Jeff

[spacepirate]

Awesome info. I'm in the same boat.

[67Rally]

A buddy of mine on TeamCamaro just did an LQ9 in his 69 Camaro, but changed over to the car accessory instead of the truck spacing. He used this one from Pace which includes everything for a non-A/C car and is $528: http://paceperformance.com/i-6485405-19257325-gmpp-accessory-drive-system-without-a-c-fits-ls2-ls3-ls7-engines.html

http://paceperformance.com/images/M25748728.gif

Here's the same one, but for AC for $789: http://paceperformance.com/i-6255430-19155067-gmpp-accessory-drive-system-with-a-c-fits-ls2-ls3-ls7-engines.html

http://paceperformance.com/images/M20045096.gif

[Ron in SoCal]

Rally I used the same one (non-ac) on a buddy's car. Fit was fine and the price has gone down over the last couple of years. IIRC, you need to supply your own balancer and water pump.

I also have one on my garage for the next adventure :cheers:

[fishface]

Great info guys. I am.definitely going this route and saving the cash. It will be plenty expensive as it is without adding unnecessary costs.

[fillpot]

I think this is the route I want to go but do you need to change to the corvette water pump, going from 07 trailblazer ss ls2. THANKS!

[67Rally]

Great info guys. I am.definitely going this route and saving the cash. It will be plenty expensive as it is without adding unnecessary costs.

Agreed. It can seem a bit overwhelming at first, but the whole accessory drive boils down to:

Water pump
Balancer
Power steering pump
Alternator
P/S bracket
Tensioner & Idler pulley

And maybe:
AC compressor
A/C bracket

Plus the right length belt. There's a good chance that you can re-use your water pump and balancer if not switching offsets (car vs truck).

I bought a complete dropout assuming I'd re-use everything and not wanting to hunt down all the parts. In the end, everything accessory drive related was too crusty for my build, so I sold off all the accessory drive stuff and pieced it together fine.

[andrew5]

this is my mentality also on my nova build,because i do plan on driving(and punishing it!) after all it's put me through.i bought a BBC front runner kit from GMPP, with all the components for like $900.

[jwcarguy]

Andrew, That is a nice looking setup on the big block!

For the guys that are dealing with "drop out" and wanted to use what came with them
most can sell off their existing accessory drive to recoup some cash (granted the truck setup isn't in high demand, but will get some money back)
also, I look at it and explain to people that I am working with that, at this stage in the build prepping a drop out engine, cleaning, detailing, I recommend replacing anything that you can, while the engine is out and easily serviceable!

I always install new rear main seal for one and the water pumps are usually questionable, especially given the mileage/ usage, then being pullout out and these engines sit for some time
Why chance it with a used waterpump, it is less than $100 for "insurance",rather than firing the engine and finding out it leaks??

Jeff

[69lsvert]

Very good point Jeff. Sometimes we get in a hurry and don't think things through and the outcome of not replacing some small things that may or may not cause a problem after the engine or trans is in the car. Thanks again for some good advice.

[jwcarguy]

Very good point Jeff. Sometimes we get in a hurry and don't think things through and the outcome of not replacing some small things that may or may not cause a problem after the engine or trans is in the car. Thanks again for some good advice.


you are welcome!

That is why we are all here! To help each other out and give helpful advice

It has happened personally to me with a customer that brought a vehicle in for a engine swap (LQ9 6.0L)
It was their supplied engine and I said that I would install a new rear main prior to putting in their vehicle, he swore that he trusted the engine and didn't want to spend the additional $15-20 for the GM seal ??
I advised that he should do it and it would cost more time and money to change it later
I guess being in Las Vegas, he took a gamble!!

Well you can guess the outcome, initial startup engine was fine, drove around block, came back to a small trail of oil coming from where?? rear main!!

had to charge him to pull trans and install a new rear main seal!
Let's just say that it cost alot more than the $20 for the seal!!!

Jeff