OK, I just realized that early '85-'87 v-belt TPI setups are a pain in the royal AS*, expecially when a dumb bastard comes and 'cleans up' the garage where they were laid out nice and neat. Wonderful. Now I cant find my dial calipers, either. Anyway, I thought it would be easier to convert to serpentine belts, but can never find one for a good price. Also, are the accessories between a 1988+ serpentine and '85-'87v-belt setups similar? My accesories are OK, but if I find the parts, how would changing the A/C location and P/S pump location work? Also, I'm still not sure about removing my air injection (although I think I will, the pump's about shot). If anybody has one or can answer my question, please let me know. I don't have much $$$ right now. Thanks

 

http://www.tacreationsusa.com

They sell a complete serp. conversion kit . Includes all thats need even the later style water pump for $200 . All the parts are used , not new .

------------------
Derek 90 IROC 5.7
Mods: All the usual bolt ons , 2500 stall , 373's , SS hood , lotta reduced weight.
Best Et: 13.16@101
18" wheels , heads , cam and intake are on the way.

 

I have the serpentine belt setup off of an 88 Camaro on my 87. The worst part about the swap is lengthening the wires to put the AC on the pass side and the Alternator on the driver’s side. Everything else bolted right together. I used the 88 AC hoses, and had the smog hooked up until recently. I used the tubes etc from the 88, but if I was you I'd just ditch that stuff. Getting ride of the smog pump etc won't cause any computer trouble at all. Don't worry about that. In the tech article here on thirdgen.org for removing the smog pump it says that you need a shorter belt. Me personally, I think that article is a bunch of BS. I could be mistaken, but the original belt routing is the same as they say to change it too. I had mine belt routed that way with and without the pump, and with the same belt shown for an 88-92 f-car. Works fine.

If you are having a hard time finding S-belt setup off of an F-car, you should be able to get the truck set-up to work. It is very similar. The AC hoses may be different, and the power steering pump maybe different also . I'd check it out, or use your original pump if possible.

This swap is something very worth while IMO, esp if you toy with your car a lot. It is so nice to be able to take the belt off in 5 seconds, rather than mess with 4 belts that each have to be adjusted for proper tension. And it looks a lot nicer too, AC lines don’t run across the engine bay etc.

Good luck!
Austin

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87 IROC 350
Mods: 3:42 Torsen, pocket ported 083 heads, complete Edelbrock exhaust, Most free mods, Most little mods, aluminum d/s. Edelbrock STB, boxed rear suspension pieces, urethane bushings everywhere.
Stock cam, chip, runners, base, and trans
13.94@103mph, 2.25 60'
Recent stuff: SSM sfc's, Homemade relocation brackets, Ported SLP runners, ported base, EGR!
Current/future projects: homemade torque arm, and 27x10 Hoosiers (need wheels!), and Prom Burning
Planning new engine build, possibly 383 w/ TFS 23*

 

I'm about do the same modification myself and I don't complain about price for the conversion kit offered by TA Creations. Still, does anybody know if the accessories are the same for '87 and '88+?
Then it would be possible to replace just the pulleys and the brackets + the water pump. Don't like idea of installing a used water pump either.

 

I know for a fact that the alternator and water pump are different, and I am pretty sure that the smog pump is different. The AC has a different pully, I don't know what changing that involves or if it is possible. Not sure about the PS.

 

The alternator is different. I converted my 87 Camaro from a V6 to a 92 305 LB9. A good friend who is a mechanic did most of the work. He re-used my original alternator, but had to change the front plate that bolts to the bracket. The used engine I bought had an alternator but it was no good, so we combined parts between the two alternators and got one to work. We used my orginal power steering pump and AC compressor. They were just fine. The only difference in the AC compressors was the electrical connector, and I got an 87 V8 accessory harness so I had no issues there. We eliminated the smog pump and we did use a different belt. It is actually longer than the stock belt and routed a different way. The water pump is different between a serpentine and no serpentine setup. The serpentine setup uses a reverse direction pump. They are not interchangable. I don't know the part number of the belt he put on for me. I still have to get that information from him. I Hope that helps a little.

Edit: forgot to mention that some of the wires did have to be lengthened due to the accessories being on opposite sides of the engine bay.

[This message has been edited by cdartz (edited February 23, 2001).]

 

None of the accessories are the same. I myself converted my 1987 v-belt system to a 1992 serpentine.

Alternator
Different! The mounting ear on the housing is at a different location.

Water Pump
Different! The serpentine system uses a reverse rotation water pump.

Power Steering Pump
Different! However, the 1987 and older V6 pump is the same as the 1988 and newer V8 pump.

A/C Compressor
Different! The electrical connector is different too.

Air Pump
Different! I do not know the physical differences, but GM has different part numbers for both.

If the donor car is a TBI and you're converting a TPI, one upper bracket on the passenger side is different. Luckily, it is still available from GM for less than $10.

The steel fuel and return lines are also different. This is the section from the base fuel rail assembly to the flexible hoses. Again, both lines are still available from GM.

------------------
Willie

Supercharged 1987 305 IROC-Z, Daily-Driver, Emissions-Legal.
Paxton (6-psig): 12.57 @ 111 mph.
Paxton (6-psig) & 50-hp nitrous: 12.04 @ 114 mph.
ATI D1SC (10-psig): ?

http://willie.camaro-firebird.org/

1987 "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" Z28 Convertible -- Super Chevy Show Class Winner, 1998.

[This message has been edited by Willie (edited February 23, 2001).]

 

Well, the smog pump will go and the CAT too (even legally!). Extended wires to the alternator should't be a big problem. New A/C hoses I probably need though.
Checked the shipping costs from USA to Finland (with UPS) and found out that the charge is close to the purchase price of the TAC kit. Therfore I'm a little bit reluctant to buy parts that I don't actually need.
I'm going through with the conversion regardless of the cost however, since the the main reason for the conversion is a future compressor kit.

 

Alternator
Different, clarified.

Water Pump
Different. (of course).

Power Steering Pump
The V8 PS pump was changed from ’87 to ’88, also apart from the pulley ?
(I have a 350 TPI, but it unfortunately has the darn V-belts)

A/C Compressor
The electrical connector is different. What about the mounting ears/dimensions ?

Air Pump
Will not be installed.

The steel fuel lines
Different also beteween V8 TPI 87-->88?

 

Yes, they are different units. The threaded mounting stud is in a different location. Note the 1987 and older V6 PS pumps are identical to the 1988 and newer V8 pumps. So if you can find a pre-1988 V6 pump, it will work.

Dimensions are the same. The mounting ears are different.

Very different. The 1985-87 fuel lines are long -- they snake from the fittings in front of the base (i.e. intake manifold), between the A/C compressor and cylinder head, make a 90-degree bend towards the rear of the car, then another 90-degree bend upwards. The 1988-92 fuel lines are very short -- they snake from the fittings in front of the base, between the alternator and cylinder head, make a 45-degree bend towards the front of the engine, then terminate. Note: Your existing body fuel lines point directly upwards where they terminate at the flexible lines. These lines must be bent towards the front to form approximately a 45-degree bend. Hope this clarifies it somewhat.

I know this pic doesn't help, but I wanted to show you what a 1987 car looks like with one small serpentine... and one very large one!!

<IMG SRC ="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1427158&a=10788180&p=40288615&Sequence=0&res=high">

Willie

 

Thanks Willie,
That's exactly where I'm headed. Except that Paxton is maybe not my final choice.
Anyway the the blower is next year's budget, the belt conversion would fit in this year.
Off the subject, do the 1 3/4 SLP headers without AIR tubes have a fitting for the oxygen sensor?

 

JP,

I used to have a Paxton. My webpage is really outdated. The pic above shows my new D1SC from ATI. What you can't see is the three-core intercooler (with air scoop)... but wait.... here it is!!

<IMG SRC = "http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1427158&a=10788180&p=40169208&Sequence=0&res=high">

The reason I converted to serpentine was to install this ATI setup. It is one awesome setup. Once I install a Superfueler system from Carroll Supercharging, I should be ready for my first 11-second run!

Willie



[This message has been edited by Willie (edited February 23, 2001).]

 

OK, lemme get this straight. I need a new alternator (obvious size difference), P/S pump(mounting locations), and water pump. Do I need to replace the A/C compressor or just change lines and connector? I know the air pump is different but I probably won't use it. It's about dead anyway. BTW: anybody know where to get Goodyear Gatorback belts? I won't use the air pump removal pulley so I don't know if the belt is available for the different routing (no pump). Anybody know? One reason I'm converting is to use a set of pulleys in the future, and maybe a blower. I appreciate your all your help.