Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Anyone ever make a front runner style accessory drive?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 19, 2008 | 06:21 PM
  #1  
matty b's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Default Anyone ever make a front runner style accessory drive?

hey guys, being a DIY guy to the bone I was considering making a front runner style accessory drive. I wanna do it to keep the alternator and power steering in front of the engine to clear the way for a pair of hairdriers. I was thinking that I could fab brackets out of mdf to get it fit then make it out of aluminum plate and spacers. I want to make a truss style bracket not like the S&P brackets more or less cause it looks better. My plan would be to make a back plate, a front plate and bolt it together with spacers and through-bolts. What I was looking for is any suggestions from anyone that may have done anything anywhere near this type of thing. Id just buy a setup but they are freakin expensive. I just cant afford ~$3k for an accessory drive. I have an alternator and power steering pump already and the stock brackets but Ill probably have to start completely from scratch. So if you have any advise about how to build the brackets and maybe any tips on aligning them or where to find idler pulleys ect Im all ears. Im sure alot of guys in this forum would find any info really useful since we all normally have to at very least modify the drive to fit our differnt cars. thanks in advance hopefully I get some replies :crossedfingers:
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2008 | 09:14 PM
  #2  
1970-Cloned's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by matty b
hey guys, being a DIY guy to the bone I was considering making a front runner style accessory drive. I wanna do it to keep the alternator and power steering in front of the engine to clear the way for a pair of hairdriers. I was thinking that I could fab brackets out of mdf to get it fit then make it out of aluminum plate and spacers. I want to make a truss style bracket not like the S&P brackets more or less cause it looks better. My plan would be to make a back plate, a front plate and bolt it together with spacers and through-bolts. What I was looking for is any suggestions from anyone that may have done anything anywhere near this type of thing. Id just buy a setup but they are freakin expensive. I just cant afford ~$3k for an accessory drive. I have an alternator and power steering pump already and the stock brackets but Ill probably have to start completely from scratch. So if you have any advise about how to build the brackets and maybe any tips on aligning them or where to find idler pulleys ect Im all ears. Im sure alot of guys in this forum would find any info really useful since we all normally have to at very least modify the drive to fit our differnt cars. thanks in advance hopefully I get some replies :crossedfingers:
If you have the time and ability do it. However I would caution you that sometimes reinventing the wheel costs more. Might be cheaper to get an F-body setup by piecing it together. I got my entire Corvette drive brand new for around $1200 and many here brag about getting there F-Body setups for $500 or less. Just some food for thought.
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2008 | 09:44 PM
  #3  
Horsepwraddict's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
From: Rutland, MA
Default

coming from a SBC world before I came to the LSX I know where you are coming from, lots of people make their own brackets. It wont be hard to make something, especially with the ideas you have and obviously the know how. If your stuffing two snails under the hood, I think you can rig up a bracket for an alternator and PS pump.
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2008 | 07:49 AM
  #4  
subtlez28's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: Janesville WI
Default

Do it. After you make the patterns, have a couple sets of aluminum plates made up by a water jet company (they do aluminum to, right?) and sell the extra sets to recoupe the investment. You could end up w yours for free.
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2008 | 08:15 AM
  #5  
rockytopper's Avatar
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default

I've been there and done it already. (water jet that is) you can check my listing on ebay. And I don't want any of you cheap no money whining babies post in here in about the price of such products. It cost money to get quality and no they aren't making this stuff at Auto Zone in mass quantity so you can pick it up for 20$. Else I'm a DIY myself and I would have bought mine there. I did my own for the exact reason this post was started. I bought an entire engine and trans for 3500$ and I’m not about to spend 3000$ on accessory brackets. That is because I too am a no money baby but I don’t whine to someone else about it.
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2008 | 10:19 AM
  #6  
garys 68's Avatar
TECH Junkie
15 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 39
From: Camdenton, MO
Default

Yep, I'm doing the same thing out of necessity.
I only need the AC compressor and alternator mounted high on each side of the engine for my 68 vette.
I did some searching here and on corvetteforum and was able to find templates. I'm doing a trial fit with 1/4" plywood but will either cut my own (metal band and chop saw) or send out to a machine shop.
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2008 | 01:22 PM
  #7  
LS1GMCTruck's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 907
Likes: 2
From: Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.
Default

Does S & P make anything like what you guys are looking for?
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2008 | 02:10 PM
  #8  
matty b's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Default

yep but even s&p is over 2k. Ive been looking at a car in the shop with a march setup and the only issues I forsee is that to sit a cs144 alternator (its about 3 inches shallower than a stock ls1 alt) you have to some how space the waterpump and crank pulley out about 2". Im wondering if using a truck waterpump pulley and crank pulley would get the spacing out enough to pull it off. Also the more I look at it, the more this would be really easy to make. Does anyone know of a place to find idler pulleys? I think Ill need two down low since Im gonna run a high mount drivers ps pump and high pass alt. As far as cutting it out I did in fact plan on having it waterjetted. A shop right around the corner from mine does it and they dont charge much to program the cuts and jet it out. Last brackets I had made were .25" aluminum and for materials and time to draft it out costed me about $200 bucks. Id be well ahead of the game if I got a CS140 alt for around a $100 possibly reuse my ps pump and had a few brackets cut. Itd be WAY under a grand and I get to say I made it myself. Its all well and good to buy stuff out of the box but Im not rich and even then it may not be exactly how you want it, making it custom takes care of that. So Im gonna plug along on this and try to get a plan together. Once I do Ill take pics for you guys and try to post up some measurements. Thanks
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 22, 2008 | 03:01 PM
  #9  
rojs234's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 452
Likes: 2
From: Sparta, Mo. in southwest Missouri
Default Accessory drive

To *matty b*. I built the drive setup for my '34 Ford with an LS2 engine myself and it was'nt all that difficult. It did take a little time, but I've got a lot more of that than I have money. I built mine out of steel but it would be simple to also use aluminum. Mine is a carbureted setup but the same ideas would work on an injected engine I would think. I would be happy to post some pictures, but I am so dumb when it comes to computers that I simply have no idea how to do it. If someone would PM me or e-mail me and tell me step by step how to do it, I will give it a try. Or, if you will PM me your e-mail address or post it, I will e-maill you 5 or 6 pictures and some of the details of my setup if it would give you some ideas. My e-mail is ( ronjsjrkm@aol.com
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2008 | 03:32 PM
  #10  
philntx's Avatar
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 801
Likes: 3
From: DFW
Default

[QUOTE=matty b;9589690]hey guys, being a DIY guy to the bone I was considering making a front runner style accessory drive. I wanna do it to keep the alternator and power steering in front of the engine to clear the way for a pair of hairdriers.

You must have some really long hair if you need to install hairdriers in your car!

Just kidding.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2008 | 05:37 AM
  #11  
sparkwirez06's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
From: brunswick, ohio
Default

http://www.schwartzperformance.com/products.htm, Here's a layout if you have this much room in the front of the engine.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2008 | 10:51 AM
  #12  
Carshopinc.com's Avatar
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
From: Moline, ILLINOIS
Default

We offer front drive kits in a few different configurations:
alt only 550.00
http://carshop.carshopinc.com/produc..._id/88927/9998

Alt powersteering 850.00
http://carshop.carshopinc.com/produc..._id/88928/9997

Full kit 1350.00
http://carshop.carshopinc.com/produc..._id/88926/9999
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2008 | 11:47 AM
  #13  
rojs234's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 452
Likes: 2
From: Sparta, Mo. in southwest Missouri
Default

I am going to try and post some pictures of the drive system I built for my carb'ed LS2 with L92 heads. Since I know nothing about computers, this may or may not work. If it does, I will post again to elaborate a little if it will help anyone.
Attached Thumbnails Anyone ever make a front runner style accessory drive?-ls2-install-128.jpg   Anyone ever make a front runner style accessory drive?-ls2-install-129.jpg   Anyone ever make a front runner style accessory drive?-ls2-install-132.jpg   Anyone ever make a front runner style accessory drive?-ls2-install-133.jpg   Anyone ever make a front runner style accessory drive?-ls2-install-134.jpg  

Reply
Old Jun 23, 2008 | 05:30 PM
  #14  
Pop N Wood's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,402
Likes: 8
Default

Anything is possible. Denso alternators off of imports are a good bit smaller than the GM ones. Belts come in every length imaginable. Here is my LS2 set up which has the Corvette accesories (closer to block). Not as much belt wrap as most guys, but with only an alternator on a carb'd vehicle it works.

Idler pulleys are available from Autozone, summit, jegs, you name it. For alignment I clamped a straight edge to the crank pulley and measured back from there to the first pulley groove.

The truck pulley and WP does move things out a inch and a half I think from the vette stuff.

Reply
Old Jun 24, 2008 | 10:36 AM
  #15  
Carshopinc.com's Avatar
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
From: Moline, ILLINOIS
Default

To insure proper alignment you should use a laser liner, we do this on everykit we sell prior to shipping to insure a trouble free install.


Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:13 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE