Got the idea from this thread on LS1tech http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=858611 With Kats help, its cost me about $50 or so. http://firebirdandcamaro.net/jason/ac_bracket/ I need to go back to the junkyard and find some more brackets, nad perhaps a different idler pulley on the bottom. Ok, so I started with an ac bracket from a mid 90's S10 with a 4.3 V6. Depending on how much cutting you want to do, you could use a stock serp bracket from a thirdgen. You basically cut off the lower portion of the bracket. Then, I had to cut off about an inch of the back of the mount to line up with the ls1 accessories. It is only held on with one bolt though. I took the idle pulley off, put it on the tensioner. Then I canabilized the the stock ls1 tensioner, cutting it apart, and putting it on backwards. Basically using it as a spacer, with a long bolt to support and relocate the lower idler pulley so it will clear the thermostat housing. The stock LS1 tensioner, when cut up and flipped around, supports the bracket from being pulled in. The turn buckle looking thing was just to get a feel for another brace. I was using a stock 3rd gen serp belt, but its going to be about 2" too short. I'll find out tomorrow. Again, I need to play around with a couple of different support braces for it. Ok, please tear it apart. Its shadetree engineering at its finest. -jason

Or you could have just bought a bracket that is made to do that LOL

That took 4 months to get for 300 dollars. Screw F-body/Youngs.

I did buy one..... and like Kat said, it took 4 months and costs $300.

I made a better one, for $50 and a few hours of my spare time.

Isn't that kinda what this hobby is about?

Thumbs up for ingenuity! Is there any way to use more than one bolt to fasten it to the head? That is the only problem I can see with it. More would be better to help distribute the load on the bracket? Do you have pics with the belt on? I may have just missed them.

I want to see how well it stands up to the load of the a/c compressor running.

Me to, the idea was to get stuff into place then add the factory style bracing to it..

I think that it will be fine.

I need to buy a longer belt, the TPI belt I had was about 2" short.

I tried to use both bolt holes in the head, but there is intereference with the water pump, and it will sit too high. Kinda strange.

Beleive me, I am wondering if it will hold up to the rigors of the compressor cycling. Especially with only one bolt holding it to the head. Thats why I need to go back to the boneyard and snag some different support braces. Or at least make one out of angle iron.

That is also why I posted pics. Figured someone would offer up suggestions to help it hold it up better. I even thought of running a brace across both holes in the head, then out to the other hole that isn't being used. That really wouldn't help too much on the rotational force though.

The whole purpose of this was to give people ideas for a cheaper ac setup. I live in South florida, and even in February I'm running the ac because its been so humid. The car still has a full charge of R12, and was blowing ice cold when the trans died and I decided to do the lsx swap.

-jason

I'de try a f-body bracket the 4.3 looks close to the 5.0 but it pulls the compressor closer towards the engine and higher. Maybe vette a/c brackets would work too.

Hrmmmm, I didn't think of that.... good idea.

I have access to a spare f-body bracket too. I didn't think of the height difference between the two

Any measurements for the vette bracket?

For clarification (set me straight), you're doing this to a) keep your 3rd gen compressor, and b) to avoid modifying/replacing-with-tubular the crossmember. Correct?

If so, a) doesn't help me, because my compressor is driver's side with v-belt.

It would seem like more work than b) to fabricate this bracket.

If I'm correct in my assumptions, I don't see any benefit (for me, at least) without buying more pieces than just the brackets.

Yep, I did it for those two reasons.

I didn't want to modify anything.

Also the Serp belt compressor is cheaper, and ac lines available over the counter. No fab work needed, other than to the bracket. Plus its just my labor......

That has merit.

(Of course, it also means the belt no longer is - need to keep the p/n you end up using in a safe place.)

I'd still have to find a compressor.

For some reason the separate belt for AC on the LS1 looked attractive to me. Perhaps because I was considering eliminating AC, and that makes it easier to do so.

Darn right!!

And if it isn't perfect on the first try, I wouldn't get too upset - that's what engineering is all about!

well i got a belt on it and the outlook isn't so good.'

The belt touches as it comes around the compressor, between the idler pulley and tensioner.

so I need to hit the boneyard again for a different tensioner. I'm thinking of putting a ribbed pulley on it, and have it lift up. I have more clearance around the upper waterneck than I do the idler pulley below it.

It appears to need a 96" belt, but that may change once I get it all sorted out.

I'll be hitting the yard on monday afternoon.... blah

-jason

some of them astro van 4.3's used metal serpentine brackets to mount accesories might be easier to work with then the huge aluminum bracket and easier to fab and weld.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look into it next week when I head back to the yard.

Its so close to working I can taste it..... just need to find the right array of junkyard parts to manipulate it... lol

Good Luck bro! Ive been following your tread at LS1tech and now here. I also bought that crappy A/C setup from F-bodymotorsport. Thank God i didnt put in on yet. Its been about 2year sitting in the box. I was going to get rid of the AC but since your determined to make this work i will support you all the way. Good luck

Joey J.

What exactly is "crappy" about the F-bodymotorsport version? I've never been enthused with their reputation here, so beyond that?

Thanks for the support. I hope to have an answer to the tensioner issue today. Was too tired to hit the junkyard on monday.

Whats crappy about the design (IMHO) is the lack of a belt tensioner and the use of spacers. It isn't welded, so the bracket isn't boxed either..... Just two steel plates bolted to each side of the compressor.

I've read about how the belt flaps around with the ac on. Well thats because the tensioner isn't there to absorbed the changes in belt tension as the compressor cycles. I also can't see there being a really long belt life when you have to pry it on with a screw driver. I want to be able to change a belt on the side of the road by myself if need be.

I did initially want to use a 3rd gen serp belt, but its just too short. Would've been cool to get it to work though.

Still open to ideas and suggestions. Please help me make this work. It will only benefit everyone doing the swap

-jason

Ok, so I found something from a ford truck, but the belt hits it , so that is a no go

Found a way to use the factory ls1 tensioner, but not 100% certain its going to work. I cut mine apart, so I can't recall which way its suppose to go.

Can't find in one in the boneyard either *shocker*

so off to advanced auto I go, to spend more money

-jason

Round two tonight.... once it dropped below 50* I quit for the night

http://firebirdandcamaro.net/jason/ac_bracket/AC_mount/

I started with an ac bracket from a 3rd gen. This changed a lot of the mounting points.

I used the outer mounting point, but still need to figure out something for the inner mount.

You can see where i cut the snot out of the stock bracket with a sawzall. The 3rd gen mount is definitely a better starting point for this. It took about an hour of test fitting and cutting.

still open to suggestions

-jason

how about using something like this

it may be just as easy to cut the thirdgen bracket down all the way leaving just the U-shaped part that holds the compressor. then take a chunk of aluminum plate 3/8" thick to bolt the the ls1 head. then draw a line on it where the U-shaped part needs to be welded on to it. you could place idlers or whatever you need and can even get the belt length figured out. welding it should be under 50.00 easy.

you can make the setup as clean as you want since everything can be placed where you need it

Great suggestion!

I might just look into that

thanks!

-jason

Any updates or anyone with new ideas? Pics links are dead

gave up and bought a set of brackets from a board member......

which are for sale lol

-jason