madmatt9471

I was wondering if anyone has bypassed the power steering pump at the track for better times(some guys I used to race with would do this on their Trans Ams and Firebirds, TPI's L-98's).

My Vette is a '90 L-98(no under drive pully's, Yet!)

If you have and or you do this at the track, which way are you routing the serpintine belt and what length is the belt?

Any suggestions on how to route it, if even possible!!!

Much thanks!

Thanks Matt

rocco16

Ever try to drive your C4 with the power steering gone??

I would think your lap times would increase, not decrease.
IMHO only


EDIT: Ooops! Are you talking about drag racing or road racing????

Larry
code5coupe

kalister1

Maybe he is talking 1/4 mile? I cannot help with your question I don't bypass

Mr Mojo

I honestly don't think you'll see a tremendous gain.

madmatt9471

Yes! Drag racing. A power steering pump can take as much as 25-30 HP to run, Hence a gain 1/4 mile and less drag on the motor.

All I want to know is if anyone has the route for the serpintine belt!

Thanks, Matt

Slalom4me

Here is some LTx info - I do not know how relevant it is to your L98.

from C4 Dry Sump

The F-body looks like a straightforward deal, might take a different
belt but the tensioner placement means it would still handle the slack.

Y-body appears more complicated.

.

madmatt9471

I appreciate the info. and I'll have to look at it closely to see if it is possible.

Thanks, Matt

VR'92

Slalom4me

I just skimmed the '87 TPI f-body conversion link
where those images reside. Did not see a photo
of an F-body TPI. See you can rustle one up
with a google search. 3rdgen.org might be forthcoming.

Post what you discover.

.

neat

The F and Y body accessory routing is completely different, what works for an F-body will not work for a Corvette.

With some creative thinking it might be possible, I don't know of anyone actually doing it, but that doesn't mean it can't be done. The only accessory that might be able to be driven backwards is the alternator, so look into that when you are trying to figure out the belt routing.

I know on my 91, once I removed the smog pump, there was no way to run the accessories, regardless of belt routing sequence. I tried every possible way of routing the belt, and nothing would work. I imagine that you'll run into the same thing with the power steering. However, if you remove the power steering and the smog pump from the system you might be able to make it work.

I'll have to go out and look at my car here in a bit and see if anything comes to mind.

cv67

You wont notice any difference, leave it on.

..30hp

mis.information

MarkBychowski

It almost looks like you could try removing the PS pulley completely and running a shorter belt. You'd have a little less belt area on the alternator, but I would think it would be OK.

I'd be interested if it worked at all if nothing else because LT1/4 PS pumps and hoses have a nack for taking a dump during hard roadracing. It would be nice to at least get the car home under it's own power after that!

madmatt9471

Thanks for the tip I'll check into that and give a test run!

Thanks, Matt

froggy47

Bypass alt too, good for xtra 75hp.

Seriously.

madmatt9471

DANG! REALLY?(hee!hee!)

Cold_B

That's not a half bad idea actually (if you were serious about bypassing the power steering).

The water pump is driven off the cam, so you could pull the belt and run the race, and if you charged the battery before and after with a charger you could determine what difference it makes. Thats a big pain for such a small gain, but it would be kinda cool to have the numbers.

neat

He has an L98, not an LT1. His waterpump is belt driven, not cam driven like an LT1.

I don't want to come off like a butt head, but imagine what would of happened if this guy would of listened to you. It could of cost him an engine. I know you didn't intentionally give out wrong information, but in my opinion you have to think about the fact that someone might actually do what you say around here. Try to be a bit more responsible and a bit less hap-hazard with your advice.

I'm not trying to be mean, just telling you what I think. Have a good one man.

MarkBychowski

Thanks, I missed that -- I was looking at the pics above. Please disregard my post above since I was looking at the LT1 belt routing picture.

Matt383

My two cents.

How often do you drag this car?

Is it worth the hassel, as I don't think you will gain 25 hp, but that's just my opinion not fact.

I drag my car alot, and I keep my PS attached.

Last spring I blew an oil seal under the car at the 1000 ft mark.
(that's why I installed a pro stock evac system) and looking back,
I was dam glad I had Power Steering. Oil under slicks at around 130 MPH, is like driving on ice at 130. Real squirley.

Again, my two cents. I know I won't do it.

An elec water pump? Maybe.

Matt383