LS1 AC compressor mounting solution

[PSWired]

Here is what I did to install the AC compressor on my gen III engine. I grabbed a 88-92 camaro AC compressor bracket to start and hacked the unnecessary parts (AIR pump mounting) off of that using a grinder and cutoff wheel. I then cut off the mounting points so the pulley sat the correct distance from the block. Next I built some supports using 1/4" steel barstock. They attach to tapped holes in the head and the water pump tensioner mount point.

For the tensioner I flipped the truck tensioner 180 degrees. This requires it to be mounted with only 2 bolts like the corvette tensioners are. You also must clearance the back of the tensioner with the trusty cutoff wheel and mill one of the bolt holes for the water pump to block bolts down a little bit to provide clearance. Since the truck pulley has ribs on it and with this setup the smooth side of the belt will be touching the tensioner, I used the tensioner pulley from the 88 bracket along with a small spacer to make it fit.

Amazingly I did all this with hand tools and no mill or lathe. I did use a welder to attach some washers to one of the brackets, but that wasn't truly necessary, just makes service easier in the future.

BTW, using the TPI camaro bracket was not my idea, I got it from someone else on this board.

Pics:

[NITROUS]

Excellent work! PSWired, Would you mind PM'ing me you number so we can talk? I have a question about wiring for you. Is your truck a 95, or 96?

[docgreen9]

Great job man that looks sweet and no frame mods or high $$$ compressors and brackets. Plus it looks stock. If you got any other detailed pics could you send me or post the links .... thanks.

[PSWired]

I will be getting all of my pictures together eventually on my website. I'll post a link here when I do that. In the meantime there are some at http://www.pswired.com/95silverado/

[RedHeartbeat]

Yeah, take it back apart and measure all your brackets so you can post it here on how to build what you did. Give us some photos of where you modified the original castings and what your new measurements are on them. I am going to be doing that conversion before long and would love to have some details.

[PSWired]

These pictures might also help:









Once you get the bracket you will see where it needs to be hacked up. Also the aluminum AC lines might need some minor bending so the rubber portions aren't at tight angles.

[PSWired]

Oh and the one problem with this setup is the belt comes close to the upper radiator hose there. I did some major hacking to that water outlet and it is shorter than it used to be, so that's one problem. If it turns out to be a problem I will either bend it up some or cut it again and reweld it at the correct angle.