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LS-Series Serpentine Belts Can Take on a Whole New Appeal With This Simple Upgrade
When Chevrolet introduced the LS engine, many clever and effective innovations were incorporated to simplify operations and reduce engine weight and overall dimensions. An integral part of these new technologies was a compact serpentine belt system designed from the start to lower frictional losses, which in turn improved belt strength and longevity.
While this install focuses on an LS2, other systems are available for a variety of engines, or soon will be. The first step in this conversion is to remove the stock serpentine belt. As you can see, disassembly is much easier when everything is clean.
Although serpentine belt systems may seem complex in their design, to install or remove a belt, you simply loosen the belt tensioner pulley and slip the belt around and off the pulleys and out of the way.
In the years that followed, variations on these designs have been built and fitted to an impressive array of performance cars and trucks, including the LS2 engines used in GTOs and Cadillac CTS-Vs. These efficient V-8s also happen to be one of the most popular choices for a wide array of muscle car, street machine and street rod engine swaps. These engines are relatively lightweight, small enough to fit most projects, and, for what you get, relatively affordable. Unfortunately, LS2s and other LS derivations are not the most beautiful engines, even if they are one of the most efficient. First, there’s the issue of the individual coils above the valve covers; a simple fix is with a remote coil system. Then there’s the serpentine belt system, functional, to be sure, and as reliable as the day is long, but when you get right down to it, the parts and the system are rather unsightly for custom installations.
To remove the power steering pulley, a special puller was utilized to ease the effort and keep the pulley shaft in good condition.
Here’s a closer look at the pulley after it was removed. Note that the bolt serves as a press in this removal process.
The alternator is unbolted and removed from the stock bracket. Again, take care to place these components in a safe area, as you will be using them again.
Next, the power steering fluid reservoir can be unbolted and stored. Be careful not to spill the contents, as this can be messy stuff.
Now the pump can be removed from its recessed position within the bracketry.
With all the accessories removed, the primary bracket can be taken off. It will not be used again, since there are new brackets to replace it.
Since a reverse-flow water pump was installed during this assembly, the old water pump needed to be removed.
Once again, the water pump is being replaced with one that flows water in the opposite direction to increase cooling capacity.
When you lump together all the different pieces removed from the front of the engine, it’s surprising what was removed, what remains and what is new.
Fortunately, Route 66 Muscle Car Parts identified the problem and now offers Synister Products’ beautiful and innovative new serpentine belt system that will kick your cool meter into the redline. This belt system incorporates an impressive range of polished accessory pulleys, along with well-supported and -designed bracketry, idlers and other elements that unite in this easy-to-install system. As expected, this pulley system has been built within extremely tight tolerances, thereby reducing the opportunity for failure, and yet the beauty of these pulleys extends beyond simple function. Every component in Synister Products’ serpentine belt system was designed to combine both function and aesthetic virtues, as this is one of the most visited and visually important portions of most cars.
Stripped of the auxiliary hardware in about an hour, even in a car, the remainder of this relatively simple installation usually takes no more than a couple of hours.
The most attractive aspect of this system is the installation. Using basic tools, most enthusiasts will be able to tackle this installation within a day or less, depending on their skill level and any problems that arise along the way. And, if you’re worried something won’t fit as planned, know that every Synister Products component is test-fit with fasteners long before it’s packaged.
Available in a variety of finishes, including polished and anodized, deep black, subtle silver and soon chrome, the beauty of Synister Products’ serpentine belt system is undeniable. And whether you’re going for full reflections or simply a detailed appearance, this upgrade is within reach and more affordable than you might think. In only a matter of hours, you can build upon the functionality of the LS2 with improved capability and style.
To provide you with a real-world understanding of just how easy the Synister Products serpentine belt system is to install, Bill Jelinek at Route 66 Muscle Car Parts captured a typical install at his shop in New Lenox, Illinois. While certainly easier to install with the engine out of the car, this operation is still straightforward and can be accomplished in a surprisingly short time.
With the original pulley removed, the crankshaft snout is lubed to prevent galling between it and the Fluidampr vibration damper when it is installed.A high-quality unit to be sure, the Fluidampr is said to improve rotational balance across the entire rpm range, and it looks good, too.The Fluidampr is pressed on pneumatically to ensure a secure attachment. Note that the crank-trigger sensor is left in place during this procedure.
Before the new water pump can be
positioned, new gaskets are placed at the adjoining ports in the block
As always, care was taken to seat the water pump properly before it is bolted down.
Once the system is in place and double-checked, the feeling of satisfaction seeing this new twist on clever engineering in action is rewarding. Aside from improving the looks of your engine compartment, you’ll have refined the function of a critical engine system.
Before the new water pump can be
positioned, new gaskets are placed at the adjoining ports in the block
As always, care was taken to seat the water pump properly before it is bolted down.
In every case during this assembly,
anti-seize lubricant was applied to the fasteners, again to avoid galling and to allow accurate torque readings.
Now the first of several brackets is attached as a foundation for what’s to come.
With the primary bracket fixed, spacers are attached to bridge the gap to the adjoining components.
The alternator bracket is fitted to the base bracket.
As with many of the fasteners used in this system, Allen bolts provide
additional security.
A new polished alternator was now ready to attach. Just be sure all the mounts are fully tightened.
Note how tight the alternator pulls in to the bracket and the cylinder head. It also looks great!
Further beautification comes in the form of a polished alternator pulley faceplate, machined from 6061 T-6 billet aluminum, as all of these components are.
Next is the pulley itself, which is bolted against the faceplate with a recessed fastener.
Lastly, the cool milled cover for the pulley is attached with small flush-mounted fasteners for a great look.
An Allen wrench is used to tighten the pulley cover, and once it’s on, it’s nearly impossible to see how it’s done.
Again, flush-mounted Allen bolts are used to secure the bracket and are flush-mounted after everything is in place.
These are just some of the milled-aluminum spacers used to precisely place every component in alignment.
A spacer is ready to be attached to the risers on the LS2 block, creating a stable platform.
To provide more space, the belt tensioner was moved closer to the crankshaft pulley. The tensioner now provides a mounting point for the A/C bracketry.
Much better-looking than its factory counterpart, the tensioner is as durable as ever.
Take care when tightening these fasteners, as you are securing them in aluminum and don’t want them stripped.
Note how cleanly the bracket adjoins the
tensioner housing, as if it was made for it.
We can’t emphasize how important it is to lube the fasteners, because not doing so can cause big problems.
Now it’s time to mount the new A/C
compressor, which will look great.
Be sure to support the A/C compressor
during the installation to prevent it from binding against the fasteners.
To provide a better mounting position for auxiliary hardware, the cover plate on top of the compressor was removed in favor of something better.
This billet aluminum cover not only looks better, but it also provides a mounting position for other options.
In keeping with other pulleys in this system, even the tensioner pulley is sculpted aluminum.
To make the most of the A/C compressor, a new billet pulley has been milled to fit right over the existing pulley.
Allen-head bolts were used again because they are almost invisible and strong.
In keeping with other pulleys in this system, even the tensioner pulley is sculpted aluminum.
Again, an Allen bolt is used to make the
most of looks and function.
A new power steering pump was installed,
as the original had seen better days.
The centerpiece of this pulley system is the cool-looking water pump pulley, built with the same care as every component here.
Most of us are chafing at the bit at this point, as it’s all looking so good.
Now the great-looking primary crank pulley can be attached over the Fluidampr unit.
Take care not to cross-thread the pulley bolts, and when you do tighten them, be sure to follow recommended torque values.
Next is the power steering pulley, which requires a special tool for installation.
Combining the forces of the Allen bolt running through the primary nut on the power steering pump shaft secures the pulley.
From an overhead view you can see how closely everything fits with this Synister Products serpentine belt system.
In less time than you can imagine, you can transform the look of an LS2, and other engines, simply by replacing the factory belt system with Synister Products’ serpentine belt system.
While you may think this sort of installation would be difficult, it actually requires just a few ordinary tools, proper instructions and just a little skill. From there, you, too, can change the way everyone looks at your engine, and you!
By 
When Chevrolet introduced the LS engine, many clever and effective innovations were incorporated to simplify operations and reduce engine weight and overall dimensions. An integral part of these new technologies was a compact serpentine belt system designed from the start to lower frictional losses, which in turn improved belt strength and longevity.
