Found this will looking through my SDPC catalog. Not a bad price for what comes with it. What are the pros and cons of running a serpentine belt system? I'm tired of these belts, and throwing them and listening to them whine once in a while. Would this be a good system, and are there cons to this like hp limit. Any input would be appreciated. Also, would this work with a block out of a 88 GMC with the vortec heads? thx

Looking at this one > http://www.sdparts.com/product/12497697/SBSerpentineBeltDriveSystemDeluxeWOAir.aspx

to bad you don't have a big block.
i have the big block version comes with everything.
i am thinking about selling it.

to bad you don't have a big block.
i have the big block version comes with everything.
i am thinking about selling it.

Well, I do and don't have a big block. My dad has a 454 that he picked up from work. I guess some guy wants the heads off of it, I said I don't care I'll put some aluminum ones one. But I still haven't talked him in to letting me buy it from him.

But, do you like it? Any guess on what power it will put up with before belt slipping?


btw, could I see more pics of your car.

Serpentine belt systems are great as far as general and performance operation.

The key thing is to have the correct length belt and a proper tensioner pulley to maintain belt contact to all the pulley drives. The ribbed surface of the belt needs to be consistent and crack free, (the exception is the Goodyear Gatorback belts), and the pulleys must be in proper alignment.

The can handle over 500 HP engines and can take limited high RPM abuse up to 7500 rpm. Some are capable of even more but this is usually when the belts are stepped up from the conventional 6-ribs to a 10 rib.

+ they look cool =D but if it comes off u loose everything on the spot. couldnt that b dangerous?

+ they look cool =D but if it comes off u loose everything on the spot. couldnt that b dangerous?

I always carry a spare belt with me. Usually the old one I replaced. To me there was NO downside to putting the serpentine system on my car. No belt adjustments, no squealing belts, and only one belt to deal with.

what about putting on a 3rd gen camaro setup or even an LT1 setup?

only downside to the GM kit and/or the 3rd gen, is don't they have a huge honkin bracket up the pass. side?

looks like .. THIS
http://classictrucks.com/tech/0211ct_stroked11_zoom.jpg

3rd gen setup is the same as the GM kit.

Here is one possible negative for you, that I have found on my kit. If you deck the heads and the block it won't bolt up. It's looking like I'm going to have to mill the mounting holes to make mine work.
I had a good bit of material taken off the heads and the block was decked about .025" IIRC.

The big idler pulley on the top left is where the factory A/C went on, say, a 3rd gen Camaro- which is what that system is based on.

With a slightly stretched out belt turning high RPMs I have found that the belt can vibrate/rub against the backside of itself where the routing passes the two sides of the belt very close to eachother near the top of the water pump pulley (refer to picture above to see where they pass close to eachother). You pop the hood and..... hey, where'd all this rubber dust come from?? Never caused a failure, but it can be annoying.

The similar system used on 4.3L V6 and V8 trucks mounts the A/C and alternator a smidge higher and there is no chance of "belt rub" with those systems.