foot in mouth
 

I will try and re-sate what I was trying to say. I am sure there is alot of CNC work in those projects and the billet cost money as well. So they probably need to get that kind of money to make any kind of profit.But too spend over 2k to drive a water pump/ac/power steering is alot of money considering you can do it for less if your concerned or even of you not concerned about the budget. Billet Billet Billet...is that all there is these days?You can buy a complete set of CNC head castings with valves and springs ready to bolt from any one of the good head shops for that kind of money and a whole lot less... and probably get the manifold too.....Seems out of balance to me.I probably will end up with some brackets from CV products that are made for cup cars and look nice too....Power steering bracket for $75.00/ Alt Bracket for the same money...I priced some things out in their catalog and can even get close to $2000.00 with everything....and that includes a power master alt and a gm PS pump they sell...But to say the serpantine systems are over priced I was wrong and put my foot in my mouth.... Just needs to be some thought before you go laying your credit card on the line everytime you see something nice that somebody has that the average guy can't afford....Even the Donald is cautious with all of his money and thinks before he spends.

Are you lecturing? I don't see what your point is.

Personaly, I think it's nice having choices. Not everyone wants the high end and not everyone wants the low end. Pick what's best for you and your project.

You can take the serpentine belt setup off a newer car with the same engine you have and use it.Its cheaper might not look as good but its cheaper way to do it.

I think these kits are popular because they include everything needed other than the motor. They also are made to clear the old subframes as far as a/c clearance, so you do not have to either eliminate it or notch and fab the frame. Most include a new water pump, ps pump, a/c compressor, alternator, sfi rated harmonic balancer plus all the bracketry, tensioner, and hardware to install it. If you mix and match stock components you can easily end up with things not lining up right as GM switched water pumps, lower balancers, etc. throughout the years which change the offsets of the hardware. So if you're going to use the stock stuff then get it all off one engine configuration.

I think if you bought all new factory stuff you would be surprised at the total cost when you got all the above pieces. I'm not comparing to used stuff from the wrecker or Ebay, this isn't used stuff so that's not a fair comparison. Plus most kits give you much better than stock components as far as alt (160 amp, 80-100 amps at idle), ati dampner, etc. Then the fitting our cars and looks get figured in too.

I like the oem look myself, but using a Synister was so much simpler in my opinion plus I got some upgraded parts in the balancer and alternator that it seemed like the right choice for me.

Jody

The point
 

Not lecturing.......but somebody needs some alternatives besides the billet commercial stuff...........this site is filled with high dollar items that many cannot afford.........Not everybody has the loot to buy from all of these sponsers...Why cant there be some alternatives without getting bashed?This site should notbe all about spending the big money.............yet everything I read seems to be about buying big ticket items........Lecturing? Nope.........just pointing out how maybe some projects dont have to be about buying the big ticket items. We all know there is a few people on here that spend big money.........just maybe somebody could show some nice looking items that dont have to cost the national debt to purchase?

Steve keeps telling you to go OEM like he always does. He has one of the nicer cars on here and uses as many OEM parts as he can.

I am one of the guys that cant afford all the top shelf parts...but still feel that I have a nice car in the works....sometimes you just have to be creative. Oh, and I use a stock acces. system too. ;)

I gave you a non billet low buck option.

What exactly are you looking for?

March has a new lower cost system for SBC engines. It includes the alt, PS pump, water pump and all that jazz.

I have one in my garage that I'm going to do an install story on. Looks to be pretty good for the $$. I think it's somewhere around $1500.

Comes in black also (mine is just the regular alum color).

http://www.marchperf.com/

Concept One makes a pretty good system as well and I don't think it's crazy expensive.

http://www.conceptonepulleys.com/

It's true.. for LSx stuff I go OEM when I can. It's cheap and big bucks were spent to insure it works good. Replacement parts are easy to find and if you work at it the OEM brackets can look pretty good.

BUT.. in some cases it's not flexable in where the items mount. Or somebody wants a super high tech or "showcar" look. Then the aftermarket stuff is pretty good.

Still, it's hard to beat the cost/function of good old GM stuff.

I agree, and those brackets can be smoothed, powdercoated even cleaner look if needed. And changing the stock bolts for polished stainless adds little more shine:thumbsup: