Big block serpentine conversion

[Funkatation]

I saw that GMPP offers a serpentine kit that includes an alternator, ac compressor, power steering pump, water pump, and all brackets/hardware for around $850.

Has anyone done this conversion? Any tips? I'm assuming I would need different hoses than my A6 style compressor, anything else to make a/c work? I am looking at buying a compressor and alternator at very least anyway.

[LTZ C20]

I did this on my small block, accept instead of buying the kit I went to the local wrecking yard and found a donor truck, took both all brackets, a crank pulley, water pump pulley and all the bolts. Then I cleaned up all the brackets with a wire wheel and die grinder, made all the edges nice and smooth and had the 2 main brackets powder coated satin black. Then I went to work (chevy dealer) and got new belt, ac comp, alternator, idler pulley, tensioner, p/s pump, p/s pulley, ac comp manifold hose set, ac comp wire harness pigtail, crankshaft bolt, water pump and maybe 1 or 2 other things. Stuff like this that is a functioning part or bears some kind of a load I was not wanting used pieces, that's why I went to the dealer.

I had to take the brand new manifold ac hoses and the truck to a local ac hose shop and show them what I was doing, they cut my lines and the ends of the brand new lines and welded the sets together to make the new lines fit onto the older system. I believe I also had 2 modify one or both of the p/s hoses to fit the pump, I think the threads were different types or something, don't remember exactly, it's been 2 years since I did it.

It sounds like a lot of work but it was totally worth it and if your ok with used parts then you might be able to do it for less but I think over all I spent about the same as the kit and it looks in my opinion better. One thing I noticed about GMPP'S kit was the idler pulley is bolted in place where a smog pump is normally bolted, this creates a large half circle shaped void. All of the parts were off a 95 1500 GM truck. The main passenger side bracket, which has the ac comp on the 95 has no smog pump so the bracket doesn't have the large half circle void, in my opinion this looks better. For some reason GMPP decided to use the bracket with a space for a smog pump that no hot rod would ever need. So that's why I used the non-smog pump bracket.

So for 2 years now I have had no issues with the system. I love it and it looks really nice.

My setup:




That's all I have on my phone but I believe I have alot more pictures on s build thread on this site somewhere.

[Funkatation]

I just saw this from Speedmaster: http://store.speedmaster79.com/p-5253-chevy-bbc-454-aluminum-serpentine-complete-engine-pulley-components-kit.aspx

It looks like it has a Sanden style A/C compressor... Is this opening a can of worms if I want it to work with the rest of the A/C system?

[Engineer]

I like the route LTZ C20 took. My son did a similar thing on his 350 with a serpentine setup I gave him off of a 4.3L V6.

I have a serpentine setup I'm putting on my 454 in my '77 if and when I ever get that thing back up and running. (Should hear it run sometime this winter).

[Funkatation]

I also see a kit from March for about 1200. Getting pricey there.

[FlatBlack77]

I also see a kit from March for about 1200. Getting pricey there.

pricey and way too flashy if you ask me.

Like LTZ said you can get a complete setup from a pick n pull for a decent price. and you dont have to get all new parts like he did(although it is a good idea) but you can buy them here and there slowly upgrading to all new components

[Funkatation]

I'm leaning towards the speed master one.  It has a newer sanden style compressor, looks like they rob less hp than R4s. I shy away from the junkyard stuff simply because everything else on my engine will be new and shiny. I just want the best bang for the buck.

[LTZ C20]

I'm leaning towards the speed master one.  It has a newer sanden style compressor, looks like they rob less hp than R4s. I shy away from the junkyard stuff simply because everything else on my engine will be new and shiny. I just want the best bang for the buck.

Everything that has to preform a functionan, water pump, ac comp, p/s pump, idler pulley, tensioner, alternator, they are all new, the brackets and all that I got I cleaned up and they all look new. March and other companies like that create a specific type of product, one that not only has to preform well but look extremely expensive and nice. That's because they are extremely expensive and nice. Until you have to clean them.

Have you ever had to clean an engine when there is a ton of pieces that are chrome or black billet this and hot rod shiny that. It's alot of work, all my stuff looks good but is easy to clean, I just spray some light degreaser and hose the whole area down, everything always looks new.

And look how many pieces those kits have, brackets that go every which way and you have to put the whole thing together. My setup is 2 main brackets, that's it. If something stops working I  can get a replacement at any dealer of auto parts store. What happens if one of the pulleys for those kits gets bent. Your not going to have a new one of those anytime soon. Also, I have not noticed any real drop in hp or torque because of the style of compressor, really it feels the same with the ac on as it does with the ac off power wise.

If you want bang for the buck, a factory setup type kit or a donor kit from a wrecking yard to the way to go. It all looks totally normal, not super flashy or loud.

All you have to do is go to a local wrecking yard, find a truck with a 454 and serpentine and then take it all or the pieces you want and get new for the rest.

And as far as I know, all big and small blocks from about 1988-1999 have serpentine so that shouldn't be to hard to find a donor.