drews_camaro

I finally got my LS3/4L65E combo sitting in my 69 Camaro! Biggest problem is that I have very little clearance (about 1/8") between the crank pulley and the front sway bar. I used Dirty Dingo Sliders with Energy Suspension 3-1114G motor mounts. But, I'm thinking at this point I need taller motor mounts to get me a little more clearance.

Has anyone else run into this situation? How did you solve the problem?

Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

glitchz71

iTrader: (1)

You could switch to an underdrive pulley. I had considered one on my build (not a camaro), but decided to move my motor mounts instead to help in other areas also.

drews_camaro

Do you know how much smaller the underdrive pulley is than the stock crank pulley?

glitchz71

iTrader: (1)

With the truck set up I was looking at, the stock pulley was 8" diameter, the underdrive units typically said a 25% underdrive, meaning 25% less belt rotation, so 6" diameter. Should give an inch more clearance.

S10xGN

iTrader: (11)

Can you not put spacer blocks under the swaybar mounts to lower it? Or use longer/shorter links to move the center?

drews_camaro

glitchz71: Definitely worth looking into, thanks for the info! I'm not that familiar with underdrive pulleys, are there any drawbacks to using one?

A friend of mine suggested using a different front sway bar, one with a larger center bend. He suggested the Detroit Speed one, does anyone know how deep the center bend is?

glitchz71

iTrader: (1)

I know there's a number of guys running underdrive pulleys on performancetrucks.net without any issues. When running one, it slows down the rotation of all your accessories, the biggest issue that can come from this is your alternator not being able to produce the same amperage, so an overdrive pulley on the alternator (also smaller, so it spins more often per belt travel) might also be wise if the car will have aftermarket stereo and accessories. There may be other, better, ways to work around the issue that guys who have done the 1st gen Camaro swap would be more familiar with. The pulley is just what came to mind for me, and I don't hear it discussed much when these problems arise (probably because they typically will have similar clearance issues with the oil pan at the same time).

drews_camaro

I hadn't thought of that, but that seems like potentially a very cheap solution! Thanks, I will take a look at that.

drews_camaro

I'm glad you suggested it, if I'm going to spend more money I might as well get some horsepower out of it. I'm seriously considering the ATI Super Damper (917246), just wish it didn't cost so much!

i r teh noobz

iTrader: (4)

I've had an underdrive on my LM7 for 2 years without issues. You will need a shorter belt.