In the last five to seven years, swapping an LS engine into a classic car has become commonplace. Heck, even the Ford guys want to go fast by doing an LS swap into their Mustangs. But, one area that can be a real headache when attempting the swap, is the front accessory drive.
The stock accessory drive is designed to fit in particular late-model vehicles, and depending on which accessories you wish to keep, more often than not, clearance can be a problem — especially around the A/C compressor. In the stock configuration, it’s mounted low on the passenger’s side of the engine, and usually contacts the frame rail or the upper A-arm when used in an LS swap scenario.
Let’s not forget to mention the power steering pump and alternator on the other side of the engine. When installing an LS engine in a classic car, the factory steering gearbox gets in the way. So, unless you have a custom chassis designed for clearance, no matter how you look at it, the stock accessory drive can cause all sorts of issues.
When considering an LS swap, you need to keep in mind that each accessory drive on the Gen III and IV Ls engine is based on two components: the water pump and the harmonic damper. LS engines come with two water pump options, long and short. The crankshaft pulley is part of the damper, and there are three balancer designs used on LS engines. The Corvette damper is the shortest, the F-Body (also GTO) is ¾-inch longer than the Corvette, and the 4.8-. 5.3-, and 6.0-liter truck engine is 1 1/2 inches longer than the Corvette unit.
So now that you have an outline of different LS drive accessories, what are you supposed to do for a drive system for the engine you’re swapping into your classic? That’s where March Performance can offer some assistance. When it comes to installing an LS or any engine for that matter into your classic or street rod, the March system not only alleviates the fitment issues, but looks a heck of a lot better than the stock set up.
What’s more, is you have choices about what kit and what parts you need to include. The March kits come in multiple variations to fit your budget and application.
For you budget-minded guys, that are not planning to install air conditioning, the Custom Series Pro-Track gives you that option. If you are looking for the coolest of the cool, the Style Track is unbelievably cool. So now you know you have choices.
If you have a plan to install an LS mill in your ride, now you no longer need to endure the headache of trying to decide how to run your engine’s accessories, March Performance has eliminated that headache for you.