Ken Sungela

My engine should be done being built next week and its time to start planning fitting it into the car. Are these engine accessory serpentine systems required to get them to fit in a C2 or is it all about the looks. $2600 seems like a lot to spend. I figure I can source all the stock components for ~$1000-1200. I see the ATI dampers are $3-400 compared to a stock takeoff for $100.
Anyone have any comments?

Ken Sungela

So doing some more research I see these aftermarket systems mount the accessories in a more compact configuration. First 2 pics below is the vintage air setup, pics 3 and 4 for the C1 pulley system, and 5 from billetspecialties.

Ken Sungela

...and the stock LS7 setup...

wolfman64

Ken,

Do you "need" the Front Runner?.....No.

Do you "want" the Front Runner?....Yes!

Fits, works and looks like what it costs!

I just bought another one yesterday for the '59 we're working on now.

Paul
San Antonio
(Home of Vintage Air)

Zoomin

Ken, those prices may include the water pump, a/c compressor, alternator and PS pump too. If you don't need those you may save some bucks. The stuff looks good, and it fits like a glove.

Don't go cheap now! (I love spending other people's money)

93Polo

The C3 guys are using the stock corvette brackets, if you are running AC, Kwik and Holley make brackets to mount a sanden compressor high on the passenger side.

mark6669

Ken
Vintage is the way to go have I them on my 63 and the 69 I'm building now. My other 69 has a street and performance system nothing but trouble search other build posts I think you will find others that went the cheaper route had regrets.
Mark

Ken Sungela

It certainly does look a lot better than the last pic. I posted of the stock setup. I just confirmed with them that the stock alt. and PS pump will not work with their setup. Their system used custom stuff to make it all work with one belt. My mind was almost made up before I started this thread, now I'm rethinking....

mike coletta

Frontrunner is the only one that works. I've used all of them. Save yourself a bunch of grief, and get the Frontrunner setup.

Mike Coletta

Mastr Fab

We added a compressor mounting bracket from Kwik Performance Inc. to our stock LS-7 front drive to complete our installation.

dcaggiani

I am living it now with my LS3. I had to spend a lot of time and $$ to correct a sub par system....

Dan

1coolC2

Ken,

For what it is worth....I have three LS conversions, all us GM accessories. My reasoning is based on cost and dependability. The Vintage system is by far the nicest of all the aftermarket versions, but they and the others all have drawbacks in regards to "unique" parts. If you drive your car on Power Tour or long trips and the waterpump, idler pulley or other part fails, finding a replacment quickly can be a problem.

The GM stuff is designed for every day driving in all conditions and is readily available all over the country. If you spend some time and detail the brackets, it can actually be made to look very nice and there are many different versions to help fit your application. As mentioned earlier, many aftermarket companies are making additional brackets to compliment the GM systems.

Yes, the VA system is pretty and pricey, and if I was building a car for show and some cruising that is the one I would get. If your intrest is getting a solid, dependable and easiliy servicable package, the GM stuff is a rock solid design and bargin. The LS Corvette package has some issues fitting a stock C2/C3 frame with the power steering pump, but the 5th Gen Camaro, GTO and CTSV have nice compact dimensions. Hope this helps.

R/
Jeff

Land Shark 64

I've got the Frontrunner system in mine and it works perfectly on the LS7 in my 64.

Ken Sungela

Thanks for all the input guys. Its the VA system or stock accessories for me. Leaning toward the VA.

Beggers

I just went through the same decision process for my 56 LS3, I bought the front runner and now that the cost is behind me I am feeling good for it, it looks great and will add to the bling of the engine compartment, I too though had a tough time considering the stock Gm system is quality and affordable. The main difference for me (other than the bling) was limiting it down to one belt with the front runner vs the two for the GM unit. Go for it, Brian

jerhofer

I used a Billet Specialties front runner kit on the LS1 that I had in a Pro-touring Camaro I used to own. Fit perfectly and I really liked the manifold on the AC compressor which allowed me to bring in the AC lines from the bottom.

Ken Sungela

Old thread, but wanted to thanks everyone one for helping me spend my money. I bought the frontrunner setup. Having some install problems that V.A. can't even figure out.
I converted my LS7 to a wet sump which then gives me more crankshaft sticking out the front than the LS3. But, V.A. says to use the LS3 frontrunner. The spacer needed to push the hub all the way on the crank that Scoggs and Dickey sells won't fit inside the V.A. hub. V.A. thinks the inside diameter of their hub is the same as the stock hub which the spacer was designed for. But she don't work. The only other build I've seen with a frontrunner on an LS7 converted to a wet sump was Jim Toma's car.
Does anyone have any experience with this setup that can provide any ideas how to fix this?

Beggers

Ken, at first blush I would say that you either have the wrong spacer or (more likly) you need to heat up the hub to allow for expansion so that you can press the spacer on. It is a tight fit, I put mine in a bucket of boiling water for a few minutes before pressing it on, it will not go on without pressing. you can rent or borrow an installation pressing tool that will thread into the crank to get the job done. Brian

Ken Sungela

Thanks, I took some measurements. Inside diameter of Hub is 2.051", outside diameter of spacer is 2.1085". So .0575" difference. Looks like too much of a difference to press on, at least that's my guess.

Beggers

Ken, you may want to try the boiling water method and then measure it to see how much expansion you get. Mine wouldn't even start without doing that. Brian