I've heard if you don't have the serp. belt setup like from 88-up its REALLY hard to put on a supercharger. is this true? thanks. also what is a good supercharger? I'm wanting to do aluminum heads or a supercharger this summer. so just gettin info bout both of em. thanks

 

Well your actually in the same boat as i am. I have an 87 T/A which does not run serpentine either. And i'm trying to get a poll goin of either vortec, or Procharger for superchargers. Right now, i'm leaning towards procharger because of the intercooler, its self contained, the PSI rating, and it does have a good warranty as well. But talkin to a procharger dealer and installer nearby they said it isnt too bad, Plus i deleted the a/c and emmissions stuff so i'm running just 2 belts. But good luck and fill me in if you come upon any decision

 

I converted my '87 to serpentine. It's not that hard. The "hard" part is shelling out the cash for not just the brackets and braces, but accessories as well:

The alternator is different -- mounting hole ear is at a different location (clocking).

The power steering pump is different -- different mounting holes. But if you have a pump for a 1985 - 87 V6 Camaro, it is the same.

A/C compressor is different as well as the compressor lines.

The AIR pump is different, including discharge tube.

The water pump is different -- reverse rotation on serpentine system cars.

In essence, all accessories must be replaced.

 

I too would like to add a ProCharger to my 87 TPI, and need to do the conversion to serpentine. I hate to be so cluelesss, but any help would be greatly appreciated. So here goes...

If I get all new accessories, how can I verify that my new accessories will have mounts in the proper location:

a) Alternator w/proper mounting holes
Is there a model that anyone suggests so I get it right the first time ?

b) Power Steering pump with proper mounting holes
Part No. ?

c) A/C mounting and compressor lines
Can anyone suggest an A/C Compressor Model No.
I guess I should get myself a bender also in order to bend some A/C lines too?

d) AIR Pump
Part No. ?

d) Water Pump
Will I be ok if I go with a Stewart - Stage II SBC reverse flow LONG PUMP?

Can I pull all of this stuff (minus H2O pump) including brackets, from an 87+ TBI or 88+ TPI car that uses serpentine, and still be ok? If anyone can help make sense of all this it would be great. When I have finished the upgrade, I promise to help the next clueless person that comes along asking the same questions.

Thanks in Advance...

-Jason

 

If you can find an '88+ TPI, all hardware will work. If you find an '88+ TBI, all will work with the exception of one brace. Fortunately, the brace you will need is still available through GM. I got all my parts off a '92 305 TBI. Also note that a TBI alternator is rated at 85 amps. The TPI alternator is 105 amps.

To find the correct accessory part numbers, specify any '88+ TPI as your application.

The remaining modification is in the wiring. The alternator gets moved from the passenger side to the driver's side and the compressor vice-versa. You'll have to lengthen/shorten the appropriate wires.

Willie

 

Thanks Willie.

I read the HOW-TO over at http://sethirdgen.org/serpentine.htm and it talks about the shortening/lengthening of the wires. I really appreciate your help. I'll let you know how it all works out.

-Jason

 

My question is this, I'm very happy with my set up of only two belts, and i'm not gonna switch to serpentine by spending like $600 dollars for maybe 10 horse, So i'm still able to run the supercharger without the serp set up right?

 

anything is possible, but you'll probably have at least $600 in modifications to the kit to get it to fit, why not just goto the local salvage yard and get the pieces that you need, i'd bet you could get away with all the pieces you need for under $200

later
larry

 

On the ATI kit, the blower bracket is designed to work around the factory serpentine bracket. So in order to retain a v-belt system (minus the AC compressor), I believe custom fabrication of at least the spacers would be necessary. The primary blower bracket bolt is an extended version of the primary alternator bolt. Because the alternator is not on the driver's side, more fabrication would be necessary. Also, the blower bracket brace bolts to the backside of the alternator, the same location as one of the factory bracket brace. You won't have this either.

Another issue is the crank pulley. I'm assuming the v-belt and serpentine crank pulleys are different thicknesses. This would necessitate fabricating a spacer for the blower pulley.

It seems to me that if you're going to attempt this, it would be more economical with a lot less headaches to just convert to serpentine. I was able to find everything I needed off a '92 RS, except the one brace used on TPI's. Have patience and I'm sure you can find everything you need at a junkyard for $200 or less.

Willie

 

There's a place that sells everything you need from dead cars to do the swap. I'm not sure off the top of my head but it could be transamcreations.com.

That's what I'm getting for when my time comes.

Robert

 

http://www.fairautoparts.com/ these guys seem to have plenty and cheap (sepentine parts)

 

Does this mean I should also grab the crank pully from the donor car if I am converting to serpentine?

-Jason

 

Does this mean I should also grab the crank pully from the donor car if I am converting to serpentine?

Absolutely. All pullies in fact. Remember, these pullies are made for one serpentine belt.

Willie

 

procharger pulley fits inside your stock one and the votech comes with a double serpentine pulley.

 

procharger pulley fits inside your stock one and the votech comes with a double serpentine pulley.

My concern is that if the v-belt crank pulley is wider than the serpentine pulley, the ProCharger pulley which is designed around the serpentine pulley, might not seat into the stock pulley.

Willie

 

the procharger, and vortech both use a separate belt for the blower on the third gen kits. if you switch to serpentine then wont the bottom pulley be serpentine anyway?

 

the procharger, and vortech both use a separate belt for the blower on the third gen kits. if you switch to serpentine then wont the bottom pulley be serpentine anyway?

I think you misunderstood. The original poster was asking if a Vortech/ProCharger kit would work on a v-belt system. That means the crank pulley has v-belt grooves. If the overall thickness of this pulley is greater than the thickness of a stock serpentine pulley, which the blower kits are designed around, the blower pulley might not seat inside the v-belt crank pulley. I do not know which GM pulley has a greater width (or thickness).

Granted, if you convert to the GM serpentine system, this necessitates changing the crank pulley. If this is done, there is no question that the blower pulley will work.

Willie