LS A/C relocation

[chevynut]

Found this site that has brackets for relocating the A/C compressor on an LS engine:

http://www.kwikperf.com/lsx_ac.html

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

Kwik was one of the first to market LS relocation brackets including A/C. I use to have an alt relocation bracket on the market myself for f-body which I developed doing my swap. There are many options out there now and most of the major aftermarket A/C companies offer them also. Holley makes a very nice A/C bracket and it looks like it came from gm.

[Rick_L]

As rocky said, Holley makes an OEM looking a/c bracket that mounts the compressor high on the passenger side. It's what I purchased. It is compatible with the GM Corvette accessory drive for p/s and alternator (must use Corvette balancer and water pump), or the Holley accessory drive. For gen4 Camaro and truck balancers and water pumps, it's compatible with the Holley p/s and alternator accessory drive with the appropriate installation kit, which is just spacers and longer bolts.

Chevy Performance also sells Corvette accessory drive that includes a similar bracket with compressor, but it's quite a bit more expensive than the Holley bracket/compressor and either a Holley or GM p/s and alternator drive.

[Bluegrass Trifive]

As rocky said, Holley makes an OEM looking a/c bracket that mounts the compressor high on the passenger side. It's what I purchased. It is compatible with the GM Corvette accessory drive for p/s and alternator (must use Corvette balancer and water pump), or the Holley accessory drive. For gen4 Camaro and truck balancers and water pumps, it's compatible with the Holley p/s and alternator accessory drive with the appropriate installation kit, which is just spacers and longer bolts.

Chevy Performance also sells Corvette accessory drive that includes a similar bracket with compressor, but it's quite a bit more expensive than the Holley bracket/compressor and either a Holley or GM p/s and alternator drive.

Here's my Holley setup. I just got it powder coated and bolted on yesterday. It's the Corvette setup as well.IMG_1238.JPG

[chevynut]

So if all a guy wanted to do is move the A/C from the low passenger side to the upper passenger side, what all parts do you need? I have customers who need to do that. Sounds like it's not just a different bracket, pulleys, tensioner, etc. The Holley bracket says you also need an "installation kit". What would it cost just to move the stock LS A/C compressor.

[Bluegrass Trifive]

So if all a guy wanted to do is move the A/C from the low passenger side to the upper passenger side, what all parts do you need? I have customers who need to do that. Sounds like it's not just a different bracket, pulleys, tensioner, etc. The Holley bracket says you also need an "installation kit". What would it cost just to move the stock LS A/C compressor.

I could only speak to the Corvette set up as that's what I have, however I do think the other f body and truck systems would be the same. You would need the bracket assy based on your choice of A/C compressor SD7,SD508 or R4, I honestly don't know what type a Corvette comes from GM with so I assume it's wrong and you need to replace it. If so you'd have to buy the A/C Comp, tensioner, idler and install kit which spaces it to match your type of current set up with the then correct bolts. Holley sells a kit with every thing except the install kit for about $480. The install kit is then about $50. That's prices from their website, I suspect you might find them cheaper elsewhere but I haven't looked. If you happened to have the correct compressor type you could knock $250 or so off the $480.

[Rick_L]

The Holley "installation kit" is just spacers and bolts. For the Corvette drive, it's a spacer that goes behind the a/c bracket, along with bolts. For Gen4 Camaro and trucks, there's spacers and bolts for both brackets.
Using this spacer scheme, they can sell the same brackets for any LS application, and for them they only need to make two castings instead of 6.

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

Blue grass do you have a belt part number for your setup?


Cnut as I stated above vintage air & old air products now carry many options for mounting the a/c up high or keeping it down low if desired on its on belt if it fits your application.

Thanks
Rocky

[chevynut]

Thanks guys, that's good to know. Wade actually notched his k-member years ago instead of moving the compressor up . I think that would be a bad choice today with all the bracket options out there. I'm sure I'll get this question from some of my customers because we've done quite a few LS-based conversions.

[Bluegrass Trifive]

Blue grass do you have a belt part number for your setup?


Cnut as I stated above vintage air & old air products now carry many options for mounting the a/c up high or keeping it down low if desired on its on belt if it fits your application.

Thanks
Rocky

SD5 compressor uses a 6PK2540, A SD7 uses a 6PK2515. If you want to move the idler away from the power steering pump for fitting clearance you move the idler over one hole and add 1/2 inch to the belt length.

[Bluegrass Trifive]

Thanks guys, that's good to know. Wade actually notched his k-member years ago instead of moving the compressor up . I think that would be a bad choice today with all the bracket options out there. I'm sure I'll get this question from some of my customers because we've done quite a few LS-based conversions.

I would also add that on the Holley website there are PDF documents with drawings that do a really good job of explaining the differences between the different types of brackets. In addition to that there are instructions that clearly show and explain what's going on with them and parts lists of all the required components with multiple vendor part numbers that are very helpful in procuring the needed parts including small fittings and such to make the install much easier. They have really done a good job with this product line.

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

Thanks guys, that's good to know. Wade actually notched his k-member years ago instead of moving the compressor up . I think that would be a bad choice today with all the bracket options out there. I'm sure I'll get this question from some of my customers because we've done quite a few LS-based conversions.

It is good to keep it low so that it can run on it's on belt. However I agree cutting the k member on a stock frame is a pain so to speak I guess but If I was having you build me one from scratch like you offer I would ask for it to be notched if possible just to keep the a/c on its on belt.

[Rick_L]

The flip side of a low mount compressor is the difficulty in servicing it, and it makes the plumbing more difficult. Also I'm not convinced that two belts is a good thing.

[chevynut]

It is good to keep it low so that it can run on it's on belt. However I agree cutting the k member on a stock frame is a pain so to speak I guess but If I was having you build me one from scratch like you offer I would ask for it to be notched if possible just to keep the a/c on its on belt.

Why is is good to have an A/C compressor run on it's own belt? I thought the whole purpose of a serpentine setup was to use one belt and make a more compact system. And no, I wouldn't do that k-member modification but if a customer wants it that way he can do it or have someone else do it for him.

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

Only reason I have found is GM does it to reduce NVH. Seems now they have went to a single stretch belt and eliminated the idler all together for same reason. But honestly I always thought it was a long range reliability thing sense these engines don't get serviced to 100k that maybe a/c clutch bearings might fail earlier or something to that effect. Unless your just anal about NVH not worth a concern I stand corrected. I knew GM didn't do it cause they like it lol they are way to greedy for that lol. I mean they don't even put 2 bolts in the oil pickup tube that has leak issues just to save a penny per car lol.