Ls3 conversion bracket kit?
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Ls3 conversion bracket kit?
Hi all that have done this swap. What bracket kit did you use? I am going with a stock frame so would imagine a kit for Alt, Ps, AC etc must be available? Also would think the sanden type compressor would mount on the bottom with the smaller compressor that vintage air sells (however I have seen these on top)? Any sources or part#s would be very much appreciated. 
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 116
From: AUSTIN Tx
For price, it is pretty hard to beat a stock C5 corvette drive setup. You can buy them discounted for about $700, and they include the Alternator, power steering pump and reservoir. For the A/C compressor, I like the street and performance low mount passenger side bracket, as it put the compressor down low, under the engine like the stock LS compressor location. A bunch of guys like the Kwik bracket, but it mounts up top, and I do not like the compressor sitting up on top where it is visible.
There are lost of drives that offer bling, but they all pretty much will exceed $2000.
Regards, John McGraw
There are lost of drives that offer bling, but they all pretty much will exceed $2000.
Regards, John McGraw
Thread Starter
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,550
Likes: 0
For price, it is pretty hard to beat a stock C5 corvette drive setup. You can buy them discounted for about $700, and they include the Alternator, power steering pump and reservoir. For the A/C compressor, I like the street and performance low mount passenger side bracket, as it put the compressor down low, under the engine like the stock LS compressor location. A bunch of guys like the Kwik bracket, but it mounts up top, and I do not like the compressor sitting up on top where it is visible.
There are lost of drives that offer bling, but they all pretty much will exceed $2000.
Regards, John McGraw
There are lost of drives that offer bling, but they all pretty much will exceed $2000.
Regards, John McGraw
I really appreciate the help!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 671
Likes: 105
From: Sydney NSW
These days, with GM 430HP LS3 crate motors shipping ready to run, I am surprised one of the corvette vendors hasnt looked at doing a swap kit for the various generation cars.
There has to be a growing market for people wanting a reliable, fast, 30MPG midyear and there are probably a lot of owners sitting on cars with tired old motors that could be pulled across if the kit was well thought out and easy enough to assemble ?
There has to be a growing market for people wanting a reliable, fast, 30MPG midyear and there are probably a lot of owners sitting on cars with tired old motors that could be pulled across if the kit was well thought out and easy enough to assemble ?
Thread Starter
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,550
Likes: 0
These days, with GM 430HP LS3 crate motors shipping ready to run, I am surprised one of the corvette vendors hasnt looked at doing a swap kit for the various generation cars.
There has to be a growing market for people wanting a reliable, fast, 30MPG midyear and there are probably a lot of owners sitting on cars with tired old motors that could be pulled across if the kit was well thought out and easy enough to assemble ?
There has to be a growing market for people wanting a reliable, fast, 30MPG midyear and there are probably a lot of owners sitting on cars with tired old motors that could be pulled across if the kit was well thought out and easy enough to assemble ?
Still trying to find the correct lower mount ac bracket! The Holley bracket kit sends the AC up top and without cutting fiberglass not going work due to width of compressor (not an option of course). Someone could make out very well as a vendor selling this in kit form.
Still looking.....
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,798
Likes: 12
From: Southeastern VA
For price, it is pretty hard to beat a stock C5 corvette drive setup. You can buy them discounted for about $700, and they include the Alternator, power steering pump and reservoir. For the A/C compressor, I like the street and performance low mount passenger side bracket, as it put the compressor down low, under the engine like the stock LS compressor location. A bunch of guys like the Kwik bracket, but it mounts up top, and I do not like the compressor sitting up on top where it is visible.
There are lost of drives that offer bling, but they all pretty much will exceed $2000.
Regards, John McGraw
There are lost of drives that offer bling, but they all pretty much will exceed $2000.
Regards, John McGraw
You can find a complete low mileage used OEM C5/C6 set up cheap if you have some time to look around on the forum and Flea Bay. It's tough to beat them for reliability and function. The lower mounting S&P AC bracket that John mentioned works nice and hides the compressor down low giving the engine bay a cleaner look. Not cheap, but I have no complaints with mine and it's been run under some extreme conditions
Are you sure the Holley mount won't work for you? They now have a mount for the Sanden style compressor and the diagram looked like it would keep it low enough to clear the hood. As far as aftermarket versions, Vintage air front runner is about the nicest out there, but runs over 2K with accessories.
R/
Jeff
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 116
From: AUSTIN Tx
You can find a complete low mileage used OEM C5/C6 set up cheap if you have some time to look around on the forum and Flea Bay. It's tough to beat them for reliability and function. The lower mounting S&P AC bracket that John mentioned works nice and hides the compressor down low giving the engine bay a cleaner look. Not cheap, but I have no complaints with mine and it's been run under some extreme conditions
Are you sure the Holley mount won't work for you? They now have a mount for the Sanden style compressor and the diagram looked like it would keep it low enough to clear the hood. As far as aftermarket versions, Vintage air front runner is about the nicest out there, but runs over 2K with accessories.
R/
Jeff
Did you pull the OEM tensioner and install a manual tensioner? I had some slippage under acceleration with the A/C on and a stock tensioner. I pulled it and replaced with a Katech manual tensioner, and the belt squealing went away! I would love to be able to drive the A/C off the rear belt position like GM intended, but it just ain't going to happen with the motor mounts where they are.
Regards, John McGraw
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,798
Likes: 12
From: Southeastern VA
Hey Jeff,
Did you pull the OEM tensioner and install a manual tensioner? I had some slippage under acceleration with the A/C on and a stock tensioner. I pulled it and replaced with a Katech manual tensioner, and the belt squealing went away! I would love to be able to drive the A/C off the rear belt position like GM intended, but it just ain't going to happen with the motor mounts where they are.
Regards, John McGraw
Did you pull the OEM tensioner and install a manual tensioner? I had some slippage under acceleration with the A/C on and a stock tensioner. I pulled it and replaced with a Katech manual tensioner, and the belt squealing went away! I would love to be able to drive the A/C off the rear belt position like GM intended, but it just ain't going to happen with the motor mounts where they are.
Regards, John McGraw
I pitched the factory tensioner on my LS7 from the start and have been running the Katech tensioner with no issues. The factory tensioners will "bounce" and cause belt slippage, or worse, let the belt jump/walk during high rpm operation and rapid rpm changes like auto X racing.
Agreed, I would love to use the seperate belt system as designed, but without some changes to the motor plates, that aint happening. I am still looking at that option though
R/
Jeff
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 137
From: Nashville TN area
I used kwikperformance brackets, but I don't have p/s. With the C2 original chassis, the corvette p/s location doesn't work (interferes with A-arm). The camaro brackets are useable though IIRC.
I'm running an OEM tensioner on the kwikperformance brackets with vintage air and alternator as my only accessories. No issues.
I also used a 4th gen camaro oil pan.
Note, my car is LS2, so not sure how many differences for LS3.
-mike
I'm running an OEM tensioner on the kwikperformance brackets with vintage air and alternator as my only accessories. No issues.
I also used a 4th gen camaro oil pan.
Note, my car is LS2, so not sure how many differences for LS3.
-mike