If you perform an LS swap in an older classic it may look like you’ve got plenty of room, but dig a little deeper and you just may encounter problems-especially if you’re planning on running air conditioning. While there’s plenty of room all around the motor, the stock mounting location for an A/C compressor (which is on the bottom) will most likely interfere with your frame.
To address and answer that problem, LSX Concepts has engineered an easy-to-install, high-mount A/C bracket system.
This simple, clean, and cost-effective solution delivers correct belt alignment, factory stability, and great custom styling. Each of their brackets are water-jet profiled and CNC milled and drilled for a precision fit. Designed by a staff of racers, their brackets are made from 6061-T6 aluminum, and their kits are compatible with your junkyard LS1 or your high-dollar LS.
They are designed and engineered to fit Gen III and Gen IV small-block Chevrolet engines, including: LS1, LS2, LS3, L99, LS4, LS6, LS7, LSA, LS9, LSX, and custom-built engines using aftermarket blocks (4.8-, 5.3-, 5.7-, 6.0-, 6.2-, 7.0-liter), including standard deck and tall deck blocks (9.200 deck height up to 9.740 deck height).
For project “Helldorado” we purchased the LSX bracket, PN 10005LSA. The kit comes pretty much complete, with the exception of your A/C compressor, as well as an eight-rib serpentine belt. The instructions included in this kit are both extensive as well easy to follow, so we suggest following their recommended steps.
For this particular tech piece, we will go over the basic steps for this install, but following the supplied instructions is really easy and highly recommended. While the installation can be done with some mechanical prowess and tools, we opted to have Jessie at Custom Dimensions install the unit.
Before we begin here’s a few tips:
1. Before removing anything, snap some pictures with your phone to note the original hose and belt routing. This may come in handy if you decided to remove the kit.
2. Do not install the pulley onto the tensioner until instructed to do so.
3. You can install the tensioner puck four different ways but use the one recommended in your instructions.
4. Test-fit all parts before applying Loctite to the tensioner bolt.
5. Do NOT remove the tensioner without removing the idler pulley.
6. Have a torque wrench handy to make sure that you have all the bolts correctly tightened.
Special Note:
If you are installing this unit on a lowrider, and find that the A/C compressor runs close to the hydraulic cylinders, be sure to cycle your cylinders to make sure that they do not rub on the A/C compressor when fully lifted or laid. As for us, our install did NOT require the shaving of the A/C bolt tabs. This was a complete bolt-on unit.
With that done and out of the way, here are the basic steps required to install this kit:
1. For starters, begin by removing the intake or any other engine components that may interfere with access to your pulleys and belts. For this particular install we began by removing the engine cover as well as the AIRAID intake system.
2. Begin by pulling back the spring-loaded tensioner pulley to remove pressure from the belt.
3. From there remove the belt and the remove the two tensioners and the idler. Once those have been taken off, remove the idler bracket.
4. Assemble the LSX front and rear brackets as shown in the diagram and keep all the bolts loose. For this step you will also be using the pulley from the Corvette tensioner.
5. Once complete, attach the bracket assembly to the passenger side cylinder head.
6. Attach the A/C compressor.
7. Torque all 10mm bolts to 25 lb-ft
8. Install serpentine belt.
9. Attach all necessary lines, charge the system, and enjoy the chilled air.
Monthly Tech Tip
Clear, Sand, and Buffin Two Hours!
by Axalta Coating Systems
This month’s Axalta Paint Tip is for all you painters who don’t have the convenience of a spray booth heater or are just plain impatient to get to the final paint finish results. Axalta LE 5600 productive “air dry” clearcoat is a special clearcoat that you can use without needing heat from a spray booth. There are a lot of painters out there who don’t have the comfort of baking capabilities and if you do happen to have those comforts this is something that will help you save on your gas bill over a longevity of time. Other benefits from this clearcoat product is that the dry time is amazing as well as being dust free in just 10 minutes. You can also sand and polish your finished product in just two hours. It’s pretty simple to cover too as you spray it out of a 1.2 to 1.4 spray gun tip size. Spray two medium wet coats continuously without flash time on multiple panels. This will help you prevent less dirt trapping between coats. This clear can be used especially for collision repair shops or custom shops. Right after two hours of clearcoat applications on multiple laid-out patterns of color, you can smooth down the hard lines with 800- to 1,500-grit sand paper. To get the job done quality quick, get your hands on Axalta LE 5600 Clearcoat.
For more technical advice please feel free to contact Axalta’s product specialist Steven Chaparro at steven.c.chaparro@axaltacs.com.
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