C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Serpentine conversion questions?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 7, 2017 | 08:05 PM
  #1  
busynick's Avatar
busynick
Thread Starter
Advanced
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 91
Likes: 7
From: stokesdale north carolina
Default Serpentine conversion questions?

got a 1987 TPI into the 1982 vette, trying not to break the bank with a serpentine setup.
thoughts on serp conversion? 
what troubles would i run into with the below on fleabay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-SBC-Serpe...dZLyVH&vxp=mtr
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2017 | 08:16 PM
  #2  
SH-60B's Avatar
SH-60B
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
Default

That's the same truck setup I put on my '79 carbureted. The TPI motor probably already has a reverse rotation water pump and a balancer, right? It looks like a complete bracket and pulley set with fasteners, just minus the accessories.

Last edited by SH-60B; Jun 7, 2017 at 08:18 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2017 | 11:09 PM
  #3  
bmans vette's Avatar
bmans vette
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
Default

Anyone install a spreader bar between the two towers while using a serpentine system?????

Bman
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2017 | 12:31 AM
  #4  
cagotzmann's Avatar
cagotzmann
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,114
Likes: 598
Default

Originally Posted by bmans vette
Anyone install a spreader bar between the two towers while using a serpentine system?????

Bman
There are many using different bars some DIY and some purchased. I made my own.

ZZ383 with GM kit for SBC.

Reply
Old Jun 8, 2017 | 06:41 AM
  #5  
MIKE80's Avatar
MIKE80
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Default

I used a setup from an 89 305 Firebird with the Firebird CS130 alternator, and ps pump. Bought a Victor JR reverse flow waterpump, 87 vette ac compressor, and March underive pully kit.

Name:  Frame009.jpg
Views: 1501
Size:  133.8 KB

Name:  photo4-1.jpg
Views: 905
Size:  172.7 KB
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2017 | 11:23 AM
  #6  
carriljc's Avatar
carriljc
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,713
Likes: 1,372
Default that's beautiful....what are those braided hoses?

Very nice adaptation. Just curious what those braided hoses at the front of the engine are?
Did you mean "reverse rotation" for the water pump?
I considered doing this, but I'm quite happy with having the redundant belts. The tidiness is quite attractive though.


Originally Posted by MIKE80
I used a setup from an 89 305 Firebird with the Firebird CS130 alternator, and ps pump. Bought a Victor JR reverse flow waterpump, 87 vette ac compressor, and March underive pully kit.




Last edited by carriljc; Jun 8, 2017 at 11:25 AM. Reason: fixed spelling
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2017 | 12:46 PM
  #7  
MIKE80's Avatar
MIKE80
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Default

Originally Posted by carriljc
Very nice adaptation. Just curious what those braided hoses at the front of the engine are?
Did you mean "reverse rotation" for the water pump?
I considered doing this, but I'm quite happy with having the redundant belts. The tidiness is quite attractive though.
Thanks. Hoses are fuel lines going to the regulator, which then feeds the BG carb. I sold the TPI setup.

Yes, reverse rotation. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-8881
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2017 | 05:19 PM
  #8  
bmans vette's Avatar
bmans vette
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
Default

Originally Posted by cagotzmann
There are many using different bars some DIY and some purchased. I made my own.

ZZ383 with GM kit for SBC.

Hey...thanks for the reply and the pic. I have a friend who built a few of the tower brace ends and then bought the rest of the pieces from Speedway.
Problem is it does not fit with the serpentine setup.
Yours obviously does.
I think it has to do with how far forward all the bracketry, water pump, etc comes out.
Txs again.

Bman
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 8, 2017 | 07:12 PM
  #9  
busynick's Avatar
busynick
Thread Starter
Advanced
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 91
Likes: 7
From: stokesdale north carolina
Default

thanks all.. Having issues finding one from a vette, camaro, firebird
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2017 | 04:58 AM
  #10  
redcruz1120's Avatar
redcruz1120
Drifting
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 206
From: Pearland Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
Default

This set up came with my engine package and the Idler pulley on the bottom left, I had to flip it around to keep it from rubbing on the A arm. and had to get a longer belt for it to ride on Top of it.
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2017 | 09:46 PM
  #11  
cooper9811's Avatar
cooper9811
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 664
Likes: 89
From: Marysville Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by busynick
got a 1987 TPI into the 1982 vette, trying not to break the bank with a serpentine setup.
thoughts on serp conversion? 
what troubles would i run into with the below on fleabay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-SBC-Serpe...dZLyVH&vxp=mtr

I did this on my 79, and used a setup off of a 92 Camaro. I got the basic pulley/bracket set off of Ebay for less that $150. However,more was spent on the alt, water pump, PS pump, and other additional parts - some of which was required, some of which was not. I didn't track all the costs.

The brackets basically bolted right up. This setup is exactly the same as the GM serpentine kit you can buy at Jegs or Summit. In the interest of full disclosure, the GM setup does require some adjustments - so expect some modifications to make all the parts come together. I would still do it again - none of these are big problems, just a list of "to-do's" that you may want to be aware of.

Here is a summary of what I dealt with:

•I switched over to the Camaro power steering pump (not required, I just needed a pump anyway and I got one with the correct pulley) - If you do this, take the inlet fitting from your old PS pump and put it on the new one, so your PS hoses still bolt up. Either steering pump will work. The C3 pump from a 79 will bolt into the Camaro bracket. You have to change the pulley. In my case, I found a pump for a camaro (with the pulley) so I just used that and swapped inlets.

•I had to experiment with water neck and radiator hose combinations to avoid rubbing on the belt. I found one that pointed straight forward from the intake and looked for a suitable hose at a local parts store.

•The lower rad hose is the stock hose, but required trimming and may sit tight against the lower cross member.

•You will have to convert to the later style alternator (CS130 or similar). I used a pre made pigtail from Summit to ease the conversion.

•I used the water pump for a 92 Z28.

•If you have AC, you may need a later pancake compressor; I was not able to convert my stock C3 pancake compressor to a serpentine pulley. Going with a later AC pump may also require an adapter to the older style AC hose block. AC specialists can set you up with an adapter. I called Classic Auto Air and they set me up with a washer/adapter kit that works well. If you don't have AC just run the AC delete pulley.

•The air pump delete pulley is not required, and I didn't use it. If you choose to run it. You may need to clearance the bracket and flip it over. The long straight run between the AC compressor and crank pulley has not given me any problems.

• I also had to reroute the fuel line - if you go with hard lines, will take a little massaging to ensure you don't rub anywhere. I still ran up the front of the block, but you have to work around the brackets so stock line won't work. Not hard, just took a little patience.

•Stock 92 Camaro pulleys all worked and cleared the crossmember - some claim you will need underdrive pulleys. I did not need to go that route.
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2017 | 06:10 AM
  #12  
Ian Marshall's Avatar
Ian Marshall
Intermediate
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 34
Likes: 6
From: Benoni, South Africa
Default Serpentine Conversion on '69 350 Vette

I need information and advice on converting from V belt. I don't want to go the bright billet look, and cost. I only want to drive OE water pump and alternator. So I would need crank pulley, water pump pulley, alternator pulley and a tensioner pulley. And maybe a non adjustable alternator bracket. Does anyone have part numbers required, or even which historical vehicles had these parts? Thanks .
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2017 | 06:20 AM
  #13  
Ian Marshall's Avatar
Ian Marshall
Intermediate
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 34
Likes: 6
From: Benoni, South Africa
Default

Originally Posted by Ian Marshall
I need information and advice on converting from V belt. I don't want to go the bright billet look, and cost. I only want to drive OE water pump and alternator. So I would need crank pulley, water pump pulley, alternator pulley and a tensioner pulley. And maybe a non adjustable alternator bracket. Does anyone have part numbers required, or even which historical vehicles had these parts? Thanks .
And i want to keep the original engine driven fan, and alternator on driver side.
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2017 | 08:13 AM
  #14  
derekderek's Avatar
derekderek
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Default

The fan will spin backwards. It is on the water pump.
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2018 | 10:44 PM
  #15  
Johnnypegs's Avatar
Johnnypegs
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 250
Likes: 20
From: Boca Raton Florida
Default

Originally Posted by redcruz1120
This set up came with my engine package and the Idler pulley on the bottom left, I had to flip it around to keep it from rubbing on the A arm. and had to get a longer belt for it to ride on Top of it.
Do you know the part number of the belt you ended up using? I’m having the same clearance issue. Looks like I’ll have to flip the pulley around
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2018 | 04:54 PM
  #16  
cooper9811's Avatar
cooper9811
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 664
Likes: 89
From: Marysville Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Johnnypegs

Do you know the part number of the belt you ended up using? I’m having the same clearance issue. Looks like I’ll have to flip the pulley around
That looks like the GM serpentine setup, or very close - same one I took from a 92 Camaro.

GM sells it as a kit, you can get it from Jegs or Summit - or scrounge ebay/junkyards/etc. and probably get it much cheaper. In either case some minor modification or tweaking is required for our cars (see my earlier post)

Relative to the pulley issue - I run without it altogether, as do several other forum members. I have not had a problem or heard of anyone having one yet.
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2018 | 07:28 PM
  #17  
cagotzmann's Avatar
cagotzmann
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,114
Likes: 598
Default

Originally Posted by Johnnypegs

Do you know the part number of the belt you ended up using? I’m having the same clearance issue. Looks like I’ll have to flip the pulley around
The Belt that came with my GM Kit was "GM 88986814"
97.24 in.

The napa part # 25 060980 is what I used when I reversed the one pulley. 98.64 in.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Serpentine conversion questions?

Old Mar 8, 2018 | 07:53 PM
  #18  
Johnnypegs's Avatar
Johnnypegs
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 250
Likes: 20
From: Boca Raton Florida
Default

Originally Posted by cagotzmann
The Belt that came with my GM Kit was "GM 88986814"
97.24 in.

The napa part # 25 060980 is what I used when I reversed the one pulley. 98.64 in.
Ok thank you, so no belt change was needed for slipping the pulley?
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2018 | 12:09 PM
  #19  
mrvette's Avatar
mrvette
Team Owner
Active Streak: 120 Days
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Default

I have a roller 350 L98 heads, and a modified LT1 injection....many years ago when it was a L98 injection, I got a serp setup off an 88-91 vette had the hoses made up by an a/c shop here in Florida....back 20 years ago it was less than 150 bux....no bets today......I kept the OEM style p/s fluid res.....even with the switch to rack steering winter 01-02.....and then a little later the conversion to HB brakes.....I have the OEM '72 p/s pump valving in inside the serp pump.....

I also have dual spal fans, aluminum rad, and a cross support, it has plenty of room.....

see pix below......
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2018 | 07:21 PM
  #20  
cagotzmann's Avatar
cagotzmann
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,114
Likes: 598
Default

Originally Posted by Johnnypegs

Ok thank you, so no belt change was needed for slipping the pulley?
No the orginal GM Belt is to short. The Napa part which is longer ~ 1.5" which I used once I reversed the 1 pulley.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:45 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE