LS2 accessory drive help
 

I was talking with Steve Rupp in PM and his box got full so I thought I would try here.

I have a crate LS2 and need the entire front accessory drive. Steve, you mentioned you were running the stock GM brackets. I thought the Alternator was on top of the engine not below? Are you running the GTO drive system?
I looked at Synister and there stuff is wicked but really expensive. I prefer the GM stuff but still don't know which ones to buy.

Thanks for the help,

Rich

All of the after market systems are gonna stick out a lot further than the stock Gm stuff. The synister is the one that sticks out the furthest. You can get the GM ones from the dealer. I have a new AC compressor that I wound up going another direction on an LS7 if your interested. We decided to make our own system since we were unable to find anything on the market that we liked. The Gm system with all the parts should cost about 2200.

Rodger

On an f-body bracket arrangement the alternator sits low and tight. On a vette application it sits high and outside.

You can't mix the two.

Also, with an f-body pulley system you have more of a challenge running an AC compressor.

I like the GM brackets due to their low cost and proven performance. They look pretty good if worked on as well.

DSE, ATS, Billet Specialties, Street&Performance, Turn Key and Sinister all make aftermarket pulley systems of various prices.

It sort of depends and what accesories you want to run. Oh, my PM box is emptier now :)

That must be including the PS pump, Alt, AC compressor and everything.. I certainly don't have near that in mine.

An alt bracket (for an f-bod) is around $30.. cheaper used.

I have bought used ones that were bent. If it is used it must not be in the car for a reason, like an accident. So 2 used ones, one bent and one straight are more money than 1 new straight one. So call me snotty But I like new parts.

The aftermarket systems all depend on what the application is. Sometimes the lower mount alternator will get in the way of the steering shaft. Or the factory AC will not clear the crossmember, or You make the engine to long for the engine compartment. These are just some of the problems we have run into on the different systems out there on the market. Just cuz the product is for sale or you get a good deal does not mean it is not JUNK.

If I'm not mistaken, you need alt, PS, AC, So the bracket system are not the $800 special that everyone thinks. The brackets are not much good without that stuff.

True.. I guess you just need to be careful where you buy stuff. Had the same issue with "new or used" vette suspension parts. I get great deals on GM brackets at www.smcperformance.com


The low/tight mounting of the f-body alternator caused clearance issues with my steering rack that I have to fix.

There's little chance that an f-body pulley arrangement will make the engine "to long". However it might have other issues with fitment in the space.

EVERY GM system I saw that included a/c stuck out much further than the Synister system. The GTO setup isn't bad, but I didn't want to mod the frame and must have a/c. Not sure what you mean here, unless by sticking out further you mean more towards the radiator. I was looking for something tight, inside the valve covers. This doesn't look stuck out to me:

http://www.camcojb.com/malitude%20093.jpg



Jody

Your 100% right that the F-body alone will not make a pulley system to long except in a Vette or GTO. But an aftermarket system that bolts another pulley to the front of an Fbody dampener, is gonna be really long. Like almost 7 inches. The billet specialties kit is the shortest on the market except factory. Most everybody has to have that bolt on pulley which is what I'm saying about being too long.

Towards the radiator.

Gotcha. When I think "too far out" I think as viewed from the front, sticking up and out further from the crank centerline. I don't think there's much of an issue with front clearance with these old cars and the LSX engines, at least there isn't on mine.

Jody