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Hello world .. my first post on LS1 Tech so please go easy on me. I've done some searching, and I haven't been able to find an answer my question.
I'm looking to swap an L33 into an older car, and space is limited. Most swaps of this type use the accessories from an LS1 F-body (or just an F-body LS1), but sourcing those parts locally hasn't been as easy as I'd like. I;d actually prefer to use an F-body LS1, but again, finding a good one at a reasonable price and available with within 500 miles or so has been difficult.
My question is: Could I use the the external accessories from a gen IV LS4 like PS, AC, etc. with a different or modified harmonic balancer on an L33? What pats would I likely need to change, and would there be other interference issues like possibly with the heads, valve covers or oil pan?
Please forgive my lack of LSx knowledge, I'm a transplant from the turbo-four import world.
Ack .. I probably should have posted this on the Gen II external forum.
Last edited by erioshi; Jun 20, 2014 at 05:50 PM.
Reason: Pardon my mistake .. looks like this belongs on the Gen III external forum...
The accessory drive will physically bolt to the front of the block and heads. Some blocks (iron) are missing a hole or two in the casting that the aluminum blocks generally use, but I don't believe it effect the LS4 drive (even if it did, it would simply be a matter of drilling and tapping.
The issue you are going to run into is with the balancer.
The LS4 crankshaft is a total of 13mm shorter overall (10mm on the snout, 3mm on the rear flange). Basically what this translates to, is that if you bolt the LS4 accessory drive onto a standard block, the crank pulley is going to sit 10mm further outboard than the rest of the accessory alignment.
This guy used a LS4 waterpump on his LS engine that he swapped into a Fiero but Im not sure what all he did to the crank to get it work. You might read the thread and find out- http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum3/HTML/000083.html
The LS4 balancer is the tightest balancer to the block of all LS balancers. It places the belt drive right in front of the timing cover (which is why its used in swaps with space limitations on engine overall length).
Even on the LS4, the crankshaft is recessed in the balancer (I think more than the 13mm that the crankshaft was shortened), so sliding it on a RWD LS engine shouldn't be any issue (been done for the porsche swaps and the 427 LS Fiero linked to above).
The biggest issue with using the LS 4 balancer is that the belt drive is too close to the block to use any other mechanical driven LS water pump. Here is a rough idea where the belt drive is on the LS4 vs. the LS3:
LS4:
LS3:
The LS4 alternator bracket is heavy cast iron and places the alternator up high on the passenger side. It has a bulge on the backside side that needs to be removed to clear most LS car fuel rails.
Here is a stock LS4 accessory drive with the LS4 water pump:
I've done this to install LS engines in kit cars. You have to use all of the LS4 accessories and the harmonic balancer will push onto the crank with some of the crank sticking out from the front of the balancer. Just use a washer over the end of the crank so that the bolt pulls the balancer up tight on the crank snout.
The LS3 balancer is 35.5mm thick/long at the center. The LS4 is 30.6mm. The machined snout going into the engine is actually longer 27.8 vs 24 mm so no worries about the seal interface.
With the bolt removed the crank is recessed over 3mm so the bolt is clamping the balancer down. With the LS4 pressed on the crank sticks out 2mm so the bolt will not press on the balancer. Machined snout is longer on the LS4
LS4 Harmonic balancer spacer for install on other LS engines
Spacer should be <51mm in diameter O.D. to fit into machined balancer pocket. The hole >37.45mm to fit over crank. About 4mm thick to ensure a gap and get a good clamp on the balancer. I found washers for 1-3/8 bolts that were just under 4mm thick. The hole measuring 38.8mm. I had to turn the O.D. down to fit the pocket.
My crate engine came with a jumper and bracket for the crank sensor. Be sure to remove such or the mounting bolt will lead you to a bad day. The balancer ended up with a scant 1.7mm gap to the oil pan. That is as tight a belt package as you can get. broken edge from jumper bracket Tight to oil pan flange
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LS4 accessories on an L33 or LS1? 
