Serpentine Conversion
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Serpentine Conversion
Looking for some direction as to the most direct fit candidate
for converting an 81 5.7 Corvette to Serpentine drive.
I have heard late 80's Camaro or "Bird" 5.7L but what to do about
the A.I.R. Pump and the A/C pump?
(Tired of dealing w/all the belts and that loud belt screeching!!)
for converting an 81 5.7 Corvette to Serpentine drive.
I have heard late 80's Camaro or "Bird" 5.7L but what to do about
the A.I.R. Pump and the A/C pump?
(Tired of dealing w/all the belts and that loud belt screeching!!)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 62
From: West Kingston RI
I'm going to be using the complete setup from a 90 Camaro. %.0 or 5.7 doesn't matter. I have already changed my 5.0 in my 90 Camaro to a 5.7 and everything bolts right up. Don't forget you need to change your water pump as the serpentine system runs reverse direction of your vette.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,161
Likes: 17
From: coffee
I'm using a early/mid 90's truck system on my '81. My a/c wasn't working, so I got a 1LE delete pulley off of fleabay. The truck AIR pump location was there, but I bypassed it (and hacked a bit of it off to make room for the fuel line (which you will have to custom build, I used braided hose).
You won't be able to use all of the support brackets, and unless you get them drilled and tapped, your heads will not have all of the bolt holes for either a truck or F-body system. I have the high point on the tensioner braced now and am going to figure out a way to brace the alternator as well and will be hoping for the best there.
Another point, you'll have to get a truck or f-body power steering pump (at least the reservoir) as the low pressure line on the back interferes with the block when you try to use the stock pump.
Here are a few pics, hope this helps...
You won't be able to use all of the support brackets, and unless you get them drilled and tapped, your heads will not have all of the bolt holes for either a truck or F-body system. I have the high point on the tensioner braced now and am going to figure out a way to brace the alternator as well and will be hoping for the best there.
Another point, you'll have to get a truck or f-body power steering pump (at least the reservoir) as the low pressure line on the back interferes with the block when you try to use the stock pump.
Here are a few pics, hope this helps...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,161
Likes: 17
From: coffee
Oh yeah, not sure how you would use the mechanical fan with this setup either as you have to use the truck/f-body reverse rotation water pump too. I'm using e-fans.
It seems simple but gets remarkably complex.
LINK to my saga...
It seems simple but gets remarkably complex.
LINK to my saga...
Last edited by nate99; Mar 2, 2011 at 09:39 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
Yep, another "bolt on" myth. It can be done, but it's not nearly as simple as you might think. Nate's right, there is some fabrication that has to be done. I also use a 90's set up, but was able to use my stock PS res, I just bent the return tube a bit for clearance.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 190
From: Zion NC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 62
From: West Kingston RI
Nate99 and the others are right. Thanks for pointing it out, as soon as I saw Nate's valve covers in his first photo I realized I had the newer style heads on my Camaro 5.7 swap. Sorry for the confussion from an old guy.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,161
Likes: 17
From: coffee
That is on my eventual wish list, though after going through the trouble of the conversion that I have already done, I may just go sweaty!
belt, c3, cheap, chevy, cogged, conversion, corvette, forum, gilmer, millerspeed, pulley, serpentine, serpintine, system, truck, w
