[nbjczk71]

I am installing a 502 ram jet in a 69 camaro. I am TRYING to stay away from billet stuff, and right now I need to find a serpentine belt system for my accessories. It is a power steering car, without A/C. Vintage Air sells a Frontrunner system that you can buy without the billet, just a darker natural look, I guess they want you to spent the $$$ on their A/C as well because it is NOT offered for non A/C cars......(what the F****?) Anyway, I know that GM Perf. sells a kit, but I was wondering if anyone either has used the GM kit, or knows of another option?

[clwilcox33]

The GM kits are great from the posts here that I've read about them. Try a search.

[1stgenCR]

GM kits are great expecially for reliability and automatic tensioners. The advice I give to people considering one is to ensure you either get the bracke that is for vehicles without smog pumps or get it from the junk yard.

[novaderrik]

i'm all for going to the junkyard, but really, how many later model trucks do you ever seen in the boneyard that have 454's and all the front accessories on them?
another option is using a small block setup- i know someone around here has done it, and i believe someone sells adapter brackets. small block setups are easy to find in the boneyard- every 4.3 powered S10 or Blazer built since about 88 has had this setup, as well as Camaros, Caprices, and fullsize trucks with 4.3's, 305's and 350's. of course, there are about 5 different setups, so get everything off one vehicle and remember what it was.

[bigtyme]

What does the Front runner system cost? I considering just because of the time it's going to take to find something out of the junk yard. I've looked Billet and Zoops there around $2200.00

[1stgenCR]

You can buy the GM serpentine setup new from GM if you don't want to hit the junk yard.

[cr8zy68]

I have a 502 Ram Jet and the Front Runner setup... highly recommended!!!

[nbjczk71]

Hey there cr8zy68, thanks for the info a couple of months back. I really like the front runner, but again I am not running a/c, and they don't have a non-a/c kit available. That would be the one I would buy, but the shoe don't fit. Anyway, it looks like a new GM performance parts kit is my best option if I am staying away from billet.

[69 Ghost]

If you can go to some of the larger yards you can get a setup pretty cheap. I picked up a full set with a heavy duty alternator from a Caprice cop car. The full set including the factory oil cooler as a bonus was $120. It would have been cheaper if I didn't pickup the A/C or the smog which I will not do next time. I would just buy the A/C new and get the idler for about $40. I was originally thinking taking out the guts on the pump and running it that way but didn't.

[bigtyme]

I may do the junk yard deal as well if I can find something for a 454, How do I eliminate the smog pump?

[novaderrik]

leave the smog pump off and get a shorter belt. that's if the HD trucks even used a smog pump at all.
as for not using the AC, they also probably had a "no AC" option that had an idler pulley.

[nbjczk71]

FYI - I just today bought a brand new GM performance serpentine system. Comes with everything including a 130 amp alternator, long reverse water pump, brackets, belt, and hardware....$560. That is tough to beat. Summit has the kit for $620. GM part #12498741

[bigtyme]

Big block or small block?

[nbjczk71]

Mark - Big block. It is mating up to a 502 RJ. However, I know that the small block kit should be close if not cheaper.