frame notching for a f-fody ls1

I know you can use vette accesories to re-route the ac to the top of the motor but I have done so much work to my frame already that I am considering keeping the accessories low and notching the frame. ID like to see some pics of how much actually needs to be notched if anyone has some. In addition to being less costly I also am designing a very clean and uncluttered engine compartment so if I can hide them down low it would be even better! Im going to be buying a wrecked 98-02 camaro hopefully soon and swapping the motor/tranny into my 89 chevy truck.
thanks

i was wondering the same thing might as well go ahead and box the frame while the engine is out. whats up jimmy glad to hear youll be doin the swap too.

Quote:

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Originally posted by juztyn@Feb 4 2004, 09:51 PM
i was wondering the same thing might as well go ahead and box the frame while the engine is out. whats up jimmy glad to hear youll be doin the swap too.

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not much...trying to finish up my suspension/frame so I can get moving on this ls1 swap :D


Back to my question.....has anyone actually just notched the frame?

check this site! http://www.hpsalvage.com/ Click on project cars on the left blue box. Then look at '99 Camaro LS1/4L60E in a 98 C1500 the second one from the top. If you look at "more photos" and you will see how the frame is notched. I bought my drivetrain setup from Mark at HPSalvage. Mine and Farmtruk's rides are on that page!

http://www.hpsalvage.com/CM15003.jpg
http://www.hpsalvage.com/C1500CM.jpg


hmm more than i expected....doesnt look too bad though. I mean Ive done more to my frame already.

I went thru all the trouble of making a bracket for my ac, it bolted to the head and relocated the ac to the top of the engine. After all that time, I've decided to notch my frame too. Doesn't look too bad, we'll see how it goes. Sometime during the summer is when i'll start.

let us know how it goes,

allen

Hey Jimmy,
This probably won't do you any good since it's an 82 El Camino.I heated it with a torch and took a 3 lb short handeled sledge and worked it to form this.Don't know how to put more than one pic at a time,so you'll get 4 replys from me. :pics:

here's another :pics:

and another :jump: :pics:

and another :wave: :pics:

allen for the time being..i got dibs on your bracket when you take it off(unless you can make/get more?)

how can you use the corvette bracket to relocate the a/c? does it work much better than allens?

considering it retains the use of a short belt, yes. but allens is a nice piece...drawback being a long(er) belt drawing more power.

How much does the corvette bracket run? Does it draw any more power than leaving a/c in stock location? Why doesn't everyone use this then (or those that dont want to notch their frame)?

by saying "vette bracket" that means the entire bracket assembly as well as the accessories from a vette. that is the vette stock location and draws no more power than it would by notching the frame. most people spens 3-4k on a motor they dont wanna dish out another $1k on alternators, a/c compressors, p/s pumps, and the brackets for a vette...something that wont exactly improve their performance...if you've got the money..go ahead with the vette bracket/accessories.

for comparison(i havent actually checked) the LT1 vette accessories and brackets were around $1k.

I notched my frame for the 5.3 truck style accessories. I used those pics posted in this post as a guide. Borrowed a plasma cutter, but it didn't do like I wanted so I ended up using a sawzall and hacked it out of there. It took me $15 in saw blades and $30 in flat steel and about 1 full day to get the frame the way I wanted it (including motor mounts) It was smooth sailing from there!! All in all not a bad deal and the final product is well worht the effort.