['86 z28]

Hello all,

I have been looking around trying to figure out how to convert to serpentine belt system on my '86 z28. Some people are saying go with an 800 dollar kit, some say they are doing fine with parts from junk cars.

What is the cheapest way THAT WORKS, while keeping AC.
If you can go into detail that would be great, I am new to this.


THANKS!!!

-Andrew

[Blazin72]

These aren't cheap but they do come with everything you need.
http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...115+4294840140

You can probably also find an almost identical setup from a wrecked Chevy pickup. You could look for some of the late 80s-early 90s Camaro/Firebird but the pickups are probably easier to find.

[DeathRattle]

If you can find a good donor car from a junkyard you should be able to pick up everything for half the cost of the new GMPP $500(no AC) $800(AC) dollar kit from jegs or summit. With the 800 kit everything is shiny and new. From a junker things can be broken or borderline on their long term potential. IE power steering or alternator or compressor could be seized or whatever.
Now if you get your pick from running cars thats a whole different story. You could test everything and see if it is all alright.

[DoubleVision]

Here is a link that should show all you need, took me forever to find it again. Even so I`m sure it mentions it in the article, make sure you get a complete system off 1 engine, don`t attempt to mix them as they are different and the pieces won`t match or line up. You`ll also have to convert to a reverse rotation water pump.
http://sethirdgen.org/serpentine.htm
Also keep in mind if your car has a clutch fan, you`ll have to get a reverse rotation fan as well.

[KULTULZ]

Nice tech article. On the 88 changeover, how does one mount a Sanden AC Comp? Is there a mounting changeover kit?

[edge]

Originally Posted by Blazin72

You can probably also find an almost identical setup from a wrecked Chevy pickup. You could look for some of the late 80s-early 90s Camaro/Firebird but the pickups are probably easier to find.

The pickup route will probably be the most plentiful and cost effective. However, keep in mind that they are for TBI engines and will work fine with a carb, but not TPI. If you have or plan to run TPI, get everything off a Camaro/Firebird.

Doublevision is right about mixing and matching, it will NOT work between TBI to TPI pulleys and brackets. http://www.tpisuburban.edgesz28.com/...ccessories.htm

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

Nice tech article. On the 88 changeover, how does one mount a Sanden AC Comp? Is there a mounting changeover kit?

Good question. I tried to make a change but could not find anyway of doing it, short of making my own brackets. I believe an R4 compressor is your only option with the TBI/TPI brackets, unless you have a custom bracket made.

Good luck, Ed

http://www.edgesz28.com/

[ChevyThunder]

You may be interested to know that TBI serpentine setups and maybe the TPI ones too... not sure, swap the location of the alternator and a/c from a carb setup. That is instead of the A/C being on the drivers side like a carb it gets move to passenger side and vice versa for the alternator. So slight changes in wiring and remembering to take the lines for a/c is important.


There is also the route of taking one off the chevy vans, they keep the alternator and a/c on the same sides, I used to know of a website that had pics of the setup that a friend sent me but I lost it.

[curtis73]

I just did a similar thing. I just went to the junkyard and looked at a few setups (but sorry I don't remember specifics)

All of the block/heads from chevy smallblock V8s and 4.3 V6s are the same bolt patterns. So regardless of what serpentine setup you get they will all bolt on and work, provided your accessories fit in those locations. Most of the accessories themselves are the same, just the brackets and pulleys are different, so there is a good chance that all of your things like alternator, powersteering, and other current pieces will bolt onto the serpentine brackets. If they look the same, they'll fit.

Most chevys started getting serpentine belts in 87 or so, so maybe just looking to newer F-bodies is your ticket. Almost all chevys started using the long water pump in the 70s except 'vettes, and to the best of my knowledge, all common serpentine systems use the long pump. They're easy to spot. If you can see space for a small finger between the back of the pump and the timing cover, its long. If you can't its short. Even if you have to go from one style to the other, just get the right pump and then all the pulleys from the donor and it will line up. For instance, if you have a short pump and want to convert to the common long pump serpentine, just buy a long water pump as well.

Remember to get a reverse rotation water pump. Enjoy.

[DHMag]

just did this swap last weekend on my 79 Malibu. easy as pie, and spent less than $400.

[Rambo_The_Dog]

How about a serpentine setup for a GM 454 without power steering - anyone know of a setup that would work?

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by ChevyThunder

You may be interested to know that TBI serpentine setups and maybe the TPI ones too... not sure, swap the location of the alternator and a/c from a carb setup. That is instead of the A/C being on the drivers side like a carb it gets move to passenger side and vice versa for the alternator. So slight changes in wiring and remembering to take the lines for a/c is important.

I also have an 86 IROC LB9 TPI and want to use the serpentine from the 88/ and do want to move the AC compressor to the right side and the ALT to the left side to cleanup the engine compartment. The high and low lines run across the front of the engine presently and adds a lot of clutter.

I have to keep this swap OEM (factory setup) due to emission standards here (Thermactor) and have to retain the pump. I also want to ditch that ugly butt R4 and mount a Sanden, but I can find no mounting bracketry for just a simple replacement.

I found the below post during a possible Sanden changeover;

One other possible solution is to use the brackets that came on some of the TPI C4 vettes and use the Nippendenso compressor, but this from what I know is very expensive.

Since I am BOW TIE CHALLENGED, can anyone give me information on the Vette setup?

I want/need this upgrade to appear factory when the hood is opened.

THANX!

[Mustangsaly]

the serpentine belt system will work on the newer 1 piece rear main blocks and ON the OLDER MOTORS. but on the older blocks YOU HAVE TO TAP AND PLUG A SMALL HOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WATER PUMP PORT, THE NEWER WATER PUMP DOES NOT USE OR COVER THAT HOLE you can see in the picture what the style of the front of a motor this came off.


on the serpentine belt swap I did, I used all the accessories that came with the serpentine belt setup.

[Mustangsaly]

you can get a serpentine belt setup and accessories off a 4.3 v6 or a 305 v8 or a 350 v8 1987 trucks & cars. but my 87 suburban has what I was told is a mini serpentine belt setup. it has 4 belts. my 89 suburban has a 1 belt serpentine belt setup like pic below.