I'm in the process of converting my roadrace-only '97 camaro away from the LT1 specific block, including water pump and accessories and I'm trying to figure out how to route the accessory belt(s) while using the stock power steering pump. The only accessories will be alternator, PS and water pump. Am I better off going with an aftermarket PS pump and bracket?

Anybody ever messed with anything like this? Any clues and/or pictures would be VERY helpful!!

Thanks!

Don

 

I have been thinking of this same thing......Mr. Horsepower has a non-LT1 SBC in his car....he would be the person to talk with; however, he is kinda hard to get a hold of (in the past).

Jason

 

I know a couple of drag guys that have done it easily enough, but none of them use power steering.

 

I am about 95% sure that Chuck (MrHorsepower) has PS on his car. At one point last year he was asking if anyone would be interested in a "kit" that came with everything necessary for converting an LT1 car to a non-LT1 SBC motor (accessory bracket, etc...). I know he was refering to "street friendly" setups (ie. PS), and I expressed to him that I was interested but never heard back from him.

Let me know if you find out anything as well.

Thanks, Jason

 

I don't know if this will help because I don't have any pictures. I have a 94 Lt1 and I took off the AC, put the alternator where it was left the PS pump where it was and moved the tensioner up where the alternator was. It took a while to get everthing to line up. I use a 1/4 in piece of alumunum plate but first made one out of cardboard. The tricky think was the tensioner has to be messedwith because you have to change the way it tensions the belt.

 

I originally built my car to SCCA american sedan specs which mandate a carbed 305. I used a power steering pump and bracket from a third Gen firebird('84 model). Using the fittings you were looking for in the previous post allowed me to plumb the old style pump to the rack. The alternator will need to be lowered some to clear the 4th gen hood. I modified the factory bracket to solve this problem. Feel free to e-mail me direct if you have any more questions, since it seems you are going down the same road I've traveled!

 

Apex: that's an interesting idea. I actually have the 3rd gen bracketry off my drag car, so I'll have to take a look at that. I ordered the adapter fittings, so hopefully that will get me sorted out.

Thanks!

Don