8 rib conversion on LSA/LS3

[Valkyrie14]

I did my LSA conversion two years ago or so. I used LSX kit retaing the 6 rib belt using the outer ZL1 band on the lower pulley and all of the existing placements for the rest of the fixtures.

I did a dyno today and there was some belt slip, little bits around the bay from the belt were there. He recommended going to an 8 rib assembly.

How do I convert my converted system to an 8 rib? I don’t want to start over, is there a kit or options to swap out the pulleys? Or just the wheels? Will I need a new alternator? What else?

[Valkyrie14]

Update, talked to Innovators West. They don’t do a LSA conversion for LS3, they do a LS3 conversion though. So I can swap out my OEM pulleys on everything except for the damper.

What does everyone that did an LSA conversion doing for an oversized damper? How do you make sure it will line up? I could just keep the ZL1 harmonic that I am running, but I want to get bang for my buck on this project.

Other concern is the water pump, it is the width of a 6 rib. Will it throw off an 8 rib belt?

[the_w]

It may not help you much, but just throwing my 2 cents in. I am building a lsa in a truck. I am going the route of a zl1 stock balancer, corvette water pump, then lsx concepts has a kit that will finish off the accesories for a 8 rib. I will run a gates 8 rib belt on the outer just for blower then 6 rib for all accessories. I could be wrong but in my research putting the blower on its own belt helps.

[Valkyrie14]

Originally Posted by the_w

It may not help you much, but just throwing my 2 cents in. I am building a lsa in a truck. I am going the route of a zl1 stock balancer, corvette water pump, then lsx concepts has a kit that will finish off the accesories for a 8 rib. I will run a gates 8 rib belt on the outer just for blower then 6 rib for all accessories. I could be wrong but in my research putting the blower on its own belt helps.

Running the 6 rib for accessories and 8 rib for the SC would be ideal. I haven’t found a way to do that for the LS3. My 6-rib set up is an LSX concepts kit. I will take a look and see if they have one that is a three belt set up for the LS3.

I think the issue is the location of the alternator and A/C for the LS3. If anyone knows how to modify the LS3 to run three belts let me know.

[Valkyrie14]

I didn’t find a LS3 kit to utilize a 3 belt setup on LSX without moving the AC and Alternator. I’m not sure if things will fit where the kit puts them. The alternator would run into my CAI and the AC would be close, but might fit.

Innovators West has pulleys to replace the 6 rib with 8 rib pulleys. And ATI has a damper and SC pulley that will replace the ZL1 harmonic balancer. Might not be as good as a three way belt setup, but it will be 8 rib and that should handle the extra hp.

[the_w]

Ya you will probably be alright with that. I have seen people get some legit pulleys and tensioners that handle the horsepower without belt slippage. I guess room is a factor in a ls3 car and placement. I haven’t been around the new ones much.

[Ashen 6.2]

I have looked at this a lot. I looked at and considered the IW system. The one thing that bothered me with that is, if the water pump or alternator goes out, you just cant go to the parts store to get a replacement and be on your way. you would have to get the pulleys swapped out.

I am doing the LSA 3 belt accessory drive conversion on mine using a mixture of factory LSA parts, ICT Billet accessory idler and a DSX triple supercharger idler pulleys. I hope to have it mocked up later this week. It does require moving the alternator and AC closer to the engine.

ADM sells an AC bracket that helps move the compressor back some but also says it "may require some modification to the motor mount". I haven't decided if I'm keeping the AC yet or not. GM also sells the AC kit for the LSA 3 belt drive conversion and it comes with the compressor as well.

[Valkyrie14]

Originally Posted by Ashen 6.2

I have looked at this a lot. I looked at and considered the IW system. The one thing that bothered me with that is, if the water pump or alternator goes out, you just cant go to the parts store to get a replacement and be on your way. you would have to get the pulleys swapped out.

I am doing the LSA 3 belt accessory drive conversion on mine using a mixture of factory LSA parts, ICT Billet accessory idler and a DSX triple supercharger idler pulleys. I hope to have it mocked up later this week. It does require moving the alternator and AC closer to the engine.

ADM sells an AC bracket that helps move the compressor back some but also says it "may require some modification to the motor mount". I haven't decided if I'm keeping the AC yet or not. GM also sells the AC kit for the LSA 3 belt drive conversion and it comes with the compressor as well.

Please update. For my next stage I think I am going to add a 10% damper and a 2.38 pulley (currently 2.8) and go to a RPM belt. Hopefully that will not slip. If I get slip then I will either go to a single 8 rib or convert to the 3 belt set up.

Ultimately, if I port and polish the snout and go to a bigger TB I will be in the 700 neighborhood and the 8 rib or 3 belt set up will be necessary.

[Ashen 6.2]

Originally Posted by Valkyrie14

Please update. For my next stage I think I am going to add a 10% damper and a 2.38 pulley (currently 2.8) and go to a RPM belt. Hopefully that will not slip. If I get slip then I will either go to a single 8 rib or convert to the 3 belt set up.

Ultimately, if I port and polish the snout and go to a bigger TB I will be in the 700 neighborhood and the 8 rib or 3 belt set up will be necessary.

Will do. I have it mocked up now minus the balancer and will add a pic later.

I am still pretty new to all of this - seems like moving down to 2.38 pulley would reduce the contact patch the belt has on the upper pulley and still slip? With already having some belt slip, it seems like you would want to go bigger with the lower and leave the upper alone. just thinking outloud..

[Valkyrie14]

Originally Posted by Ashen 6.2

Will do. I have it mocked up now minus the balancer and will add a pic later.

I am still pretty new to all of this - seems like moving down to 2.38 pulley would reduce the contact patch the belt has on the upper pulley and still slip? With already having some belt slip, it seems like you would want to go bigger with the lower and leave the upper alone. just thinking outloud..

I have done some digging and found a chart made by Ligenfelter that gave safe combinations for LSA. On a 10% lower, 2.55 was the smallest upper they recommended. I have a 2.8.

Was also told by a rep from CVF that 2.3 always has slip, so they agree with you.

Right now I am considering going in stages, but can’t decide where to start. I could just get the 2.55 and a 6 rib belt as a $320 start. OR do that but also get the ATI Damper. Swapping the stock size pulley for the 10% pulley is easy, which then makes me want to do that now. But the added spin will need the 8 rib, and probably the L1 water pump that has the wider wheel. When you want to eventually do all of it the challenge is in deciding to break it up.