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C4 Serpentine Setup

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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 07:11 PM
  #21  
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I'm going to do the same mod to my '70 convertible. I'd like to run most of the C4 A/C system (my car has most of the factory air parts still in it but I'd like to modernize it), 89 accessory drive, Jeep steering box, hydroboost, and an electric fan. I don't know if the old iron vette heads have all the correct holes to bolt the brackets to. You could always drill them if you're careful with the heads. I'm already using L98 heads so I wasn't too concerned with that problem. Wish I had more info for you. I'm going to subscribe to this thread though!
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by 1mpalss
I'm going to do the same mod to my '70 convertible. I'd like to run most of the C4 A/C system (my car has most of the factory air parts still in it but I'd like to modernize it), 89 accessory drive, Jeep steering box, hydroboost, and an electric fan. I don't know if the old iron vette heads have all the correct holes to bolt the brackets to. You could always drill them if you're careful with the heads. I'm already using L98 heads so I wasn't too concerned with that problem. Wish I had more info for you. I'm going to subscribe to this thread though!

I'm fairly certain that the stock heads all had the same three bolt pattern all the way up through the LT1s. If nothing else, they stopped AT the LT1s.
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Old Oct 31, 2006 | 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by 1mpalss
I'm already using L98 heads so I wasn't too concerned with that problem. Wish I had more info for you. I'm going to subscribe to this thread though!
I have been looking for some L98 heads, for the weight savings alone. The bolt holes should be the same. For now, I will just have to stick with the iron heads.
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Old Oct 31, 2006 | 09:48 AM
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Originally Posted by 71rdster
I have been looking for some L98 heads, for the weight savings alone. The bolt holes should be the same. For now, I will just have to stick with the iron heads.

How much weight are you looking to lose? Got a goal front and back?
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Old Oct 31, 2006 | 11:44 AM
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Spare tire is not mounted. L98 heads would reduce front end weight by close to the same amount (40 lbs). It won't be raced. If it was, I would probably go for some more performance rated heads either from GMPP Dart, or AFR.
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Old Oct 31, 2006 | 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by 71rdster
Spare tire is not mounted. L98 heads would reduce front end weight by close to the same amount (40 lbs). It won't be raced. If it was, I would probably go for some more performance rated heads either from GMPP Dart, or AFR.

For the same price as the heads you could get a set of L88 buckets and lexan light covers. Both fron stock light setups probably weight that much at least.
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Old Oct 31, 2006 | 11:50 AM
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I've got a few pics of my old serpentine setup under My Corvette Photos.
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Old Oct 31, 2006 | 11:51 AM
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I guess it would help if the link was still there. Where's my photos????
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Old Oct 31, 2006 | 02:11 PM
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The LS serp seems very different. He seems to be asking about serp pre-LT1.
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Old Oct 31, 2006 | 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Budman78
I guess it would help if the link was still there. Where's my photos????
They are there. Thanks. Good photos.
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Old Nov 1, 2006 | 09:23 AM
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As far as the Vette goes, how many serp systems have come stock? Exclude the LT5, and C6.
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Old Nov 1, 2006 | 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Durango_boy
The LS serp seems very different. He seems to be asking about serp pre-LT1.
You have to actually look at the pics young grasshopper.
I've done the C-4 set up when I had a TPI system. It worked perfect. Never lost a belt.

I guess the forum turns off the "my corvette photos" during peak usage.
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Old Nov 1, 2006 | 06:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Durango_boy
As far as the Vette goes, how many serp systems have come stock? Exclude the LT5, and C6.
C4: 84-91 are similar but 84-85 have 1 alternator while 86-91 have another. 84-87? use an R4 a/c compressor, while 88?-91 use a Nippendenso. Main left mount is same 84-91. Right main mount changes with the a/c compressor. p/s pump and water pump is the same all years. air pump mounts are different for the different alternators-buy air pump eliminators based on which style alternator you plan to use. These fit nicely in a C3.

92-96 LT1 (and LT4) are all the same as far as I know and will not fit the pre-LT1 engines (no water pump, etc.). ZR1 is by itself.

C5-6: 97 up LS engines I am not familiar with, but assume they are probably the same for C5 years. Different than C6? Don't know.
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Old Nov 2, 2006 | 11:21 AM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by markdtn
C4: 84-91 are similar but 84-85 have 1 alternator while 86-91 have another. 84-87? use an R4 a/c compressor, while 88?-91 use a Nippendenso. Main left mount is same 84-91. Right main mount changes with the a/c compressor. p/s pump and water pump is the same all years. air pump mounts are different for the different alternators-buy air pump eliminators based on which style alternator you plan to use. These fit nicely in a C3.

92-96 LT1 (and LT4) are all the same as far as I know and will not fit the pre-LT1 engines (no water pump, etc.). ZR1 is by itself.

C5-6: 97 up LS engines I am not familiar with, but assume they are probably the same for C5 years. Different than C6? Don't know.

Good job. That's a terrific way to summarize it all.
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Old Nov 5, 2006 | 11:42 AM
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Has anyone used the setup off a early -mid 90's pickup?
I have a 95' chevy p/u & the serp system looks real compact & looks like it will bolt right in with no problems. Plus the truck systems should be very pleantiful at the wrecking yards.
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Old Nov 5, 2006 | 11:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Rdavis
Has anyone used the setup off a early -mid 90's pickup?
I have a 95' chevy p/u & the serp system looks real compact & looks like it will bolt right in with no problems. Plus the truck systems should be very pleantiful at the wrecking yards.

By bud has a '91 with serp, and I don't think it was stock, but it's just like the one that I got off a '92 Camaro. Could be the same brackets as a Camaro...between it and the truck.
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Old Nov 5, 2006 | 12:42 PM
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Durango

Heres a couple of pics of the truck system:

To me it actually looks more compact than the car systems Also looks like it is not as tall. I measured from the lip of the valvecover on the intake side & both the alt & ac compressor are only 6" above the bottom of the valve cover. also note the position of the tensioner where it bolts to the ac bracket vs the center of the engine, looks to me that the setup is somewhat narrower than the system that you are instaling. Also the idler below the compresser is smaller.





I run elec fans so I don't have to worry about fan clearance.
What do you think?
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Old Nov 5, 2006 | 12:46 PM
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I looked over the pics, and it does look more narrow. I don't know by how much, but it seems the A/C bracket is pulled in tighter.

Originally Posted by Rdavis
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Old Nov 5, 2006 | 01:16 PM
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Couple of ??

The problems that I am forseeing here is:

1. what is that extra connection on the back of the ac compressor (green & tan wire), as my vette only has the wiring to the ac clutch.

2. I am assuming that the p/s pressure hose is going to have a dang metric fitting. I asume that there is an adapter made to go from the metric on the back of the pump - the standard vette p/s pressure line. OR is my vette pump able to be substitutted for the pickup pump.

3. Alternater wiring conversion, Think that I have that covered from madelectric,as they make a pigtail to adapt the old style - the new style. What series is the alt on the truck?

4. The origional compresser on my vette is the long style so I'm sure that the hi/lo pressure lines are going to be diffrent. Maybe ones for a later model vette would work?

5. The compressor on the truck seems to be of the type that "cycles". I don't like that as it will make for an unstable idle on a carbed car since there is no computer to keepe the idle speed constant. any fix for that?


Other than that looks like a bolt in swap.
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Old Nov 5, 2006 | 04:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Rdavis
2. I am assuming that the p/s pressure hose is going to have a dang metric fitting. I asume that there is an adapter made to go from the metric on the back of the pump - the standard vette p/s pressure line. OR is my vette pump able to be substitutted for the pickup pump.
The pump on the pickup will work just fine. If it comes with the btacket, just use it.


Originally Posted by Rdavis
3. Alternater wiring conversion, Think that I have that covered from madelectric,as they make a pigtail to adapt the old style - the new style. What series is the alt on the truck?
It should be a CS130. Even if it's a CS144 it'll have the same plug style.
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