History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
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I have an 87 z28 with 305 4bbl T5. It has a v belt setup. I was at napa a little while ago and the guy said 87's only came with the serpentine belt. as far as his computer says anyway. Is he wrong or do I have an 87 body with 86 engine? My VIN says I have an 87. Im lost. I think his computer is wrong.
In 88 they went to a serp. belt. 87 had 3 belts I believe, 2 vbelts and 1 multi rib belt (like a serp. belt). Anyway, yes, 87 did have vbelts so his computer is wrong.
88 was 1st year of serp only, 87 has a serp for WP & alt. and a v belt for AC and P.st.
Changeover to serp only also moved the alt and AC comp around, the fuel lines are different (running low instead of with the loops up high) and other differences.
88 was 1st year of serp only, 87 has a serp for WP & alt. and a v belt for AC and P.st.
Changeover to serp only also moved the alt and AC comp around, the fuel lines are different (running low instead of with the loops up high) and other differences.
Thanks for the info! I have the serp belt on my 89 and I like it better, easier to work with IMO.
The 88 just came in, the 87 was taken the day I took delivery...it looks the same now but still needs a lot of work. It's not as bad as the 88, just a little messy and too much hoses and crap snaking around. You're touching a nerve there LOL I hate messy engines or rust for that matter. All my other cars are super clean. I'm going to pull the car apart pretty soon to redo the suspension and engine bay and whatever comes along.
Soon it'll look as clean these, and they all started off even worse (except the 2 C4 vettes, they just needed a lil cleaning):
Actually to do a swap from the V-belts to the Serp setup is about a weekend job, a good afternoon if you have everything ready to go and the tools you need without any troublesome bolts.
The only thing that many people do not realize is that the Water pump spins the opposite direction for the serp setup, so you have to change the H2O pump. I bought a set of the Serp Fuel lines from GM for $20 a few years ago for my swap. My friend simply bent his original fuel lines to work but it is a bit of a PITA IMHO.
Afterward you have to recharge the AC, remember to deliberately exhaust your AC to the air is a felony and you can go to jail...
The only oddity that I have found is the 1988 Belt is different than the 1989-1992... not sure why honestly.
Actually to do a swap from the V-belts to the Serp setup is about a weekend job, a good afternoon if you have everything ready to go and the tools you need without any troublesome bolts.
The only thing that many people do not realize is that the Water pump spins the opposite direction for the serp setup, so you have to change the H2O pump. I bought a set of the Serp Fuel lines from GM for $20 a few years ago for my swap. My friend simply bent his original fuel lines to work but it is a bit of a PITA IMHO.
Afterward you have to recharge the AC, remember to deliberately exhaust your AC to the air is a felony and you can go to jail...
The only oddity that I have found is the 1988 Belt is different than the 1989-1992... not sure why honestly.
John
I plan on taking both cars off the road for a bit of time so I can take my time doing all this and do it right. Im going to put the 89 engine on a stand and work on it when I have the time and when its ready to go in take the 87 off the road and do the swap. When I do get around to doing all this Ill start a thread with my progress and photos. Can never have enough photos! haha. And im not too worried about the a/c, thats coming out since I never use it. It just adds to the clutter in the engine bay.
It is really a pretty straight forward job, there are not a whole lot of surprises along the way. The biggest hassle is the rewire of the AC and the Alt. And there are some replumbing of the AC stuff, beyond that its not too bad.
John
__________________ 87 FORMULA - 5.1 LB9/A4 T-tops 3.73 Modified (Yellow/Black)
87 FORMULA - 5.0 LB9/M5 T-tops 3.45 (Yellow/Gray)
89 FORMULA 350 - CONVERTIBLE 3.27 All original (Red/Gray) www.3rdgenformula.com
I think the biggest hassle could be the fuel line/pump and getting everything to run without the computer. The 89 has an electric fuel pump in the tank but the 87 has a mechanical. Im assuming the easiest thing to do would swap fueal lines and fuel tank, but i dont know. And all I know as of now for the computer deal is having to use a non cc distributer and non cc carb.
My 87 LG4 had an in-tank (Pusher) Fuel pump, AND a mechanical (Sucker) pump.
You may have to make a custom fuel lines to the passenger side, they may be fine, it will depend on several things, but ultimately I do not think it will be impossible... Honestly If I remember my routings right I am not sure if you will have to do anything special for the fuel lines on the LG4... I want to think that they were pretty well tucked under everything anyways.
The only way to find out is to start on the RH (Passenger) side of the engine bay and see what interferes...
Good luck.
__________________ 87 FORMULA - 5.1 LB9/A4 T-tops 3.73 Modified (Yellow/Black)
87 FORMULA - 5.0 LB9/M5 T-tops 3.45 (Yellow/Gray)
89 FORMULA 350 - CONVERTIBLE 3.27 All original (Red/Gray) www.3rdgenformula.com
