In the process of adding back AC to my Z28. I've read every LS AC Bracket thread I can find, combed through some others and still don't have definitive answers.

I was going to do the Holley R4 setup, but decided since I'm starting over anyways, I might as well update to the better/quieter Sanden options.

Who is using what? How does it fit with your stock overflow, what fits under the hood the best? ETC.

My top picks are the Sanden 508 or 7176 brackets from ICT Billet right now, for the money they seem like the best bet, and I think I can fit both under the hood. It looks like 17" from the center line of the crank to the top of the 7176 unit, the 508 setup puts it close to the overflow bottle. Not a huge issue, I'm not afraid to relocate and do something different if needed. With anything, the less work the better!

 

Refresh us of your set up and k-member that you are using? If LS, are you set on which spacing you want?

 

Stock k-member, F-body accessories. LQ9 w/LS6 intake. Pocket harness. I'm an "old man" on this board, my car has been together for quite a long time(7-8 years actually), I don't drive it as much as I should and AC would change that... northeast KS summers are hot and humid!

There isn't really a good thread for the AC stuff and descriptive pictures are lacking, anything with some real meat and potatoes is dated. Lots of development in recent years. Hell I was the first one on the board to use the Hedman Hustler(BRP Muscle Rods) mid length headers, so whatever I use will get documented well.

 

6.0 with an ls6 intake. Ict Billet R4 Compressor bracket in the stock location.

 

If you have the 4th gen F-body accessories I would just go with a sanden and 4th gen AC bracket. You will have to notch the k-member to make it clear but there is plenty of info here to help you on that. There are other options too from Kwick performance to adapt the AC almost anywhere you want it.

 

Punkmaster...thanks for the info!

 

I know you din't ask, but I'm using the Holley R4 bracket. I like that I can use the same parts for the AC as the parts store is going to be able to provide. All I had to do was tweak the lines coming off the compressor slightly and trim the plastic tab off the small overflow reservoir. I also like it because almost everything under the hood looks like a factory product. Not basing the aftermarket brackets, but I don't like the way they look. I wanted my engine to look like GM put it there and I think I got that look, with the exception of the fuel line from the rails to the hard line on the frame rail.

 

This was my initial thought also...and I had intended to go the same route. But I like that the Sanden compressors are quieter, more efficient, and more durable with the R134a. My engine bay no longer looks "stock" with the LS, so I'm ok with more changes at this point. Nothing will ever be as "pretty" as the TPI that was replaced.



For clarification, I'd like to get pictures/measurements/etc, whatever you can share about your AC in this post. Collect it all in one area rather than having to search multiple threads with dated info or broken links.

 

I hear you. I am not enamored with the way the Sanden compressor looks, especially up top of the engine. To each their own.

Holley also sells a Sanden compressor bracket for the LS engines, just FYI if you didn't already know

 

Just for documentation purposes I ordered the ICT Billet 7176 bracket. I'll be reporting on the fit in the coming week.

 

I was able to get the compressor on and the new heater core shut off valve installed. Everything clears, I just need to be careful how tall the fittings are coming out of the top of the compressor and find a new solution for the oil cap. I'll try a pickup/suv cap extension and go from there. Could always swap the covers if it came down to it.

 

This is ICT's heavier bracket setup with a manual tensioner, fits just was well as the other setup. Compressor is nice an quiet.

 

that turned out really nice.....

 

Thanks!

 

Where do the fittings sit relative to the top of the intake and the coolant overflow? I'm looking at this bracket for a Firebird and as long as the fittings are at or below the level line between the coolant overflow cap and the top of the intake manifold, I should have hood clearance.

 

Fittings are as shown. Level is 2 3/16" higher than the coolant reservoir bottle and intake tube, at the top. I have about 3/4" clearance with my Camaro hood.

 

Can you provide parts number for the hoses?

 

No I can't, they are custom made.