Old School vs Vortec 5.7 Swap

Doppleganger · Dec 10, 2019

Getting ready to drop a fresh Vortec 5.7 into my 85 and have multiple questions on the details. Debating between serpentine and v-belts - leaning towards serpentine. Also am going to replace with new/reman the alt, PS pump, and already have the Vintage Air kit ready to go in.

Did the 97's originally have a serpentine? Whats the difference between the PS pump on an 85 and that of the Vortec? They are 2 different PN's - just for the pulley? Or is one better? Are the serpentine pulleys easily available new, or do I have to source the JY? Also....are the accessory brackets different on the later 5.7's or can I use my originals?

My guess is I'll have to contact VA about a serpentine pulley for the compressor as its a kit for an 85 w/o factory AC.

TIA

bucket · Dec 10, 2019

Are you going with the full Vortec setup with Injection, or just installing the Vortec long block?

Doppleganger · Dec 10, 2019

Duh....should have mentioned that.

I actually bought new Edelbrock e-tec heads and the ProFlo4 EFI.

Frankenchevy · Dec 10, 2019

Serp brackets on Vortec are different than your 85 brackets. Yes 97 was originally serp. Pulleys are available. The PS pump is clocked differently. My guess is the VA compressor for an 85 won’t mount to a Vortec front drive bracket.

Frankenchevy · Dec 10, 2019

Here’s a picture of mine before I put the actual ac compressor on. In this pic it still has an ac delete pulley.

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bucket · Dec 10, 2019

Doppleganger said:
Duh....should have mentioned that.

I actually bought new Edelbrock e-tec heads and the ProFlo4 EFI.

You could run the stock v-belts on that setup and use your VA kit. The stock water pump has a built-in bypass port, but the Vortec block does not. You can still run the stock pump, the heater core just becomes the bypass hose. As long as the VA kit doesn't include a heater shutoff valve, then you need to take other measures.

Doppleganger · Dec 10, 2019

Frankenchevy said:
Here’s a picture of mine before I put the actual ac compressor on. In this pic it still has an ac delete pulley.

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Thats awesome - thanks for that pic!

The 97 motor was a long block minus the intake. There's enough of them floating in-out of the yards to collect them......or feebay. I'm going to call VA about the compressor.

Yours is a Vortec 5.7?

Doppleganger · Dec 10, 2019

bucket said:
You could run the stock v-belts on that setup and use your VA kit. The stock water pump has a built-in bypass port, but the Vortec block does not. You can still run the stock pump, the heater core just becomes the bypass hose. As long as the VA kit doesn't include a heater shutoff valve, then you need to take other measures.

No idea what all the VA kit has....its the whole setup (heater/AC). I'll call VA and see what they suggest. I hear they have great customer service....will find out. I bought the kit a year ago and still haven't even opened the box yet.

Thanks for the info!

Frankenchevy · Dec 10, 2019

This is an oe type compressor for a Vortec and how it mounts up.

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eskimomann209 · Dec 10, 2019

@Frankenchevy
What did you do/use on the frame?

Doppleganger · Dec 10, 2019

Frankenchevy said:
This is an oe type compressor for a Vortec and how it mounts up.

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That motor is beautiful. Does the compressor have to mount on top? This is my intake:

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Frankenchevy · Dec 11, 2019

eskimomann209 said:
@Frankenchevy
What did you do/use on the frame?

Sand blast, ospho, rustoleum professional red primer/thinner through hvlp, rustoleum professional black/hardener/thinner through hvlp. Nothing special, but it seems pretty durable.

I’ve used Por-15 in the past on vw projects and I actually like this better so far.

Frankenchevy · Dec 11, 2019

Doppleganger said:
That motor is beautiful. Does the compressor have to mount on top? This is my intake:

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Not sure about the compressor...

I’m pretty interested in how that edelbrock setup will work!

Craig 85 · Dec 11, 2019

Doppleganger said:
Does the compressor have to mount on top? This is my intake:

Your intake is very similar to the Ram Jet. Most of the images I'm finding have the A/C on the passenger side.

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Doppleganger · Dec 11, 2019

I thought I have seen the compressors there before. There was a dealer installed aftermarket system on mine that was mounted on the driver's side.

The devil's in the details....funny but my biggest panic at the moment is finding the correct brackets, pulleys, etc. to finish it all. Another thing that catches my eye is the tight fit of thermostat housing underneath the intake. Was going to call Edelbrock and ask them what they used.

Most I see with this system have the TBI-carb looking setup. I was semi-indifferent except they had 2 of these in stock and were back ordered on the others. I got their E-Tec heads to go with it.

Old School vs Vortec 5.7 Swap

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