$60 bucks isn't bad for the bracket, but if you have to buy another altenater with different mounting points, there goes the money you just saved.

 

How much is this alt and bolts? Good point BTW. Do they make that 200amp version of that style?

 

I'm not sure anyone payed attention to this.
"Will work on all LT-1 engines by using a 2 1/8" thick Corvette balancer and a G.M. CS130 alternator with the 6 & 10 o'clock mounting points."
Not only do you have to change the alternator, you have to get another balancer.

You also loose the AC and the power steering as far as I can tell.

 

Ding ding. Couple of things here:

The Thunder Racing (that is the Madman piece. Madman is working out Thunder now) and Alan Grove piece ditch the power steering.

From my experience of trying the relocated style keeping the pwr steering (the first design by Jon Addis), you're better off just sticking with the stock bracket. It is the strongest, most reliable way to go. Plus, the belts for the above two setups cost 2x as much as a stock belt.

Ryan

Ryan

 

I get a kick out of people who think that the Speed Specialty alternator relocation kit is an unreasonable price. I went around and did alot of research on available aftermarket bracket setups that would fit an LT1 engine AND situate the accessories in such a manner that they would fit inside the tight confines of a 4th gen engine bay. Needless to say, choices are severely limited for this application. I finally came up with a combination of brackets that would relocate the alternator down to a mid mount position and move the power steering pump to a low mount driver's side position. You'd be amazed at the domino effect that takes place when you want to change one part around and the subsequent amount of OTHER parts that need to be changed to accomodate the first one:



After it's all said and done, I'll have about $1,200 wrapped up in this. Why so much? Basically it's because moving the power steering pump to the other side of the engine and having the belt routed in such a manner that it will spin the pulley in a clockwise position requires switching to an aftermarket pump, because the stock pump is designed to spin counter-clockwise. Moving the pump required a different mounting bracket and all new custom hoses. All new custom hoses using AN fittings required a new reservoir that was plumbed for them. The alternator bracket required using a CS130, which meant a new alternator. Since the bracket situated the CS130 in FRONT of the passenger's side head instead of recessed back into the valve cover like the stock one is, this required using a billet spacer on the balancer to line it up with the alternator pulley. Then of course, the aftermarket power steering pump's shaft was a different diameter than the stock CB pump's shaft, which required a new pulley. Let's not forget all the custom fittings that adapted the aftermarket power steering equipment to the stock steering rack either. Domino effect. This stuff adds up quick.

So in terms of the Speed Specialty alternator relocation kit, having a setup that allows you to keep all of your stock accessories and save you the expense and headache of sourcing custom parts that will all be compatible with eachother once the parts are moved: a bargain at twice the price.

 

Sound: I think you are a real believer in your 2nd quote . No offense, but why would you reengineer the wheel?

Ryan

 

Why do we build and modify our engines, drivetrains, and exhaust systems?

Why do we modify the appearance of our cars?

Why do we install loud and elaborate sound systems?

How is modifying the engine accessories any different than these other things?

 

Do you have a turbo/supercharger setup that requires you to juggle the accessories around for clearance/packaging? I'm just asking why you'd spend that much to move the accessories around . Like I said, no offense.

While I think you have more cents than sense, if you like it, more power to ya!

Ryan

 

It'll start making sense when I start winning trophies at shows.

All I was intending to do with my post is show that the Speed Specialty, Madman, etc. bracket setups are actually a pretty good deal when you compare those prices to the rest of the market and put things in perspective. Hell, what I spent for my stuff wasn't even on the high side. Have you seen what companies like March, Billet Specialties, Street & Performance, Zoops, etc. charge for one of their complete custom bracket setups? A March Futura kit runs in the neighborhood of $2,700. Billet Specialties Tru-Trac is right around $2,300. You could buy a chrome alternator, power steering pump and A/C compressor all for under a grand if you sourced the parts from other vendors. This leaves an average of about a $1,200-$1,500 deficit just for brackets and pulleys if you went with one of those kits. Putting that in perspective, does $250 for the Speed Specialty bracket/pulley setup seem like such highway robbery anymore?

 

I installed the speed specialty alt relocation kit on my car and it wouldn't work without removing my ABS system. That was a big headace itself flaring and installing the new brake lines. So that kit will cost you probably double because I have to buy the SMJ line lock ABS delete kit as well to make it work. Still half of $1200 though.

 

Dang that sucks. Their site doesn't mention anything about having to do an ABS delete for the kit to work either. Where was the interference at?

 

I didn't know I had to either. I went to install the alternator and it just wouldn't fit. I removed the abs bolts to move it around a little bit, and the front sway bar, crank pulley. It still wouldn't go in the hole. After taking the ABS out it fit in perfect. I took a pic when I installed it where it was hitting:

http://lt1engine.com/images/personal/abs.jpg

I sent them a few emails about my issue and so they know. I told them they should add it to there website but they never did.

 

Hey, I'll give you props for doing something different . I think most people that actually try things that aren't "off the shelf" have a good idea of how much it costs to start building "ideas" into reality. Those that like to buy cookie cutter stuff expect cheap, high quality, and perfect fitment .

Ryan

 

Yours was the first and only problem like that to happen with my bracket. It is running on ALOT of cars in the three years since we created it, and yours is the first. As I said, the only known problem that is consistent is the need to locktite the case bolts to keep them from wiggling out due to the lack of the rear support bars that are stock.

Q

 

Now you know how Header manufacturers feel when someone says "it don't fit worth a ___ (expletive)" .

Ryan