I have an 87 L98 Formula and want to know If I would see any gains by switching to the serpentine set up. Also, what is the best way of going about this, cause I'm considering march pullies as well. Do they sell a kit or do I have to switch over and then buy the march pullies?

What gains can be seen, if any from just a non serpentine to serpentine conversion?

 

No gain. Zero.

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86 Camaro Sport
LT1 Induction
383 Speed-O-Motive Crate Engine, Raptor 700R4 Tranmission, Trick Flow Twisted Wedge G2's, 58mm Accel TB, 3.73 Auburn Pro, SLP Cold Air Induction and Headers, Hooker Cat-back, Serpentine Belt Setup, Dual IROC Fans, Jamex springs, 16" IROC Rims, 36mm/24mm Sway Bars, Global West Steering Brace. Hotchkis Rear LCA's,Panhard Bar and SFC's.
My Camaro Project
Moderator at SE ThirdGen

 

Gains ? Naw. Looks ? Maybe.

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1992 Z28 5.7 TPI

ZZ4 longblock
Harland Sharp roller rockers
Accel base and SLP siamesed runners,
52MM SLP Throttle Body
Hooker Headers & Flowmaster catback
MSD6A ignition
aluminum driveshaft
World Class 5-speed

 

Thanks guys, you just saved me some cash cause for some reason I thought it might free up some ponies.

 

Amazing I was pondring this subject today, as I do every month or so..
The serpentine system is supposed to free up some HP but I doubt it would be anything noticeable. I sure would make changing belts easyer though.
SSC

 

I'm gunna do it, I hate v-belts...you will need to get a reverse rotation water pump if you switch over. March systems are also underdiven so that will free up a few horses. Also march systems so not work with the A.I.R. system

 

Performance gains? Probably nill. But I swapped mine, and I like it way better then my old V-belts. Its also way easier to work on too.

Serpentine Swap

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If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen

1987 Trans Am 305
14.88 @ 92.81

[This message has been edited by GMTech (edited December 01, 2001).]

 

All I can say is it cuts the time it takes to change the water pump by at least half.

 

Power gains? Hm.. really hard to say. I couldn't answer that. It looks nicer and makes changing the belt easier..not to mention the engine seems to run smoother. I did it a few months ago.

 

Any horsepower gains would be negligable. It makes working on the car easier, though. At least, it does on the belt-driven things. heh. Of course, the downside is, if that one belt brakes, you're screwed.

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89 iroc-z 305 tbi
k&n filtercharger, open element air filter. nuffin' else

 

I'm not even starting over with this. If you want to know my (and a some other people's) opinions about this issue, look here:

https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/...ML/005318.html

I posted some short novels on that topic...... lol .

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1987 GTA L98 MD8
355, TFS Heads, LT4 Hot Cam
My GTA

The Minnesota F-body Club

 

Why bring up a dead horse Matt? Besides that post was asking "if" it was possible to convert to serpentine.
This post the guy wants to know if any performance increase was possible and that has been answered.
And again, everyone that's anyone already knows which one looks better... j/k!!!


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86 Camaro Sport
LT1 Induction
383 Speed-O-Motive Crate Engine, Raptor 700R4 Tranmission, Trick Flow Twisted Wedge G2's, 58mm Accel TB, 3.73 Auburn Pro, SLP Cold Air Induction and Headers, Hooker Cat-back, Serpentine Belt Setup, Dual IROC Fans, Jamex springs, 16" IROC Rims, 36mm/24mm Sway Bars, Global West Steering Brace. Hotchkis Rear LCA's,Panhard Bar and SFC's.
My Camaro Project
Moderator at SE ThirdGen

 

Well, John, I think most will agree that the prior thread on this subject covered pretty much every angle on the issue and is good reading for anyone considering or wondering about this subject.

And I couldn't agree with you more about how the v-belt setups look so much better than those craptastic serpentine setups.... lol.... .....

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1987 GTA L98 MD8
355, TFS Heads, LT4 Hot Cam
My GTA

The Minnesota F-body Club