With the almost insane popularity of GM's LS-based engines, many companies have stepped forward to offer front drive systems. While they perform roughly the same task of transferring rotational energy to the various pumps and accessories, they vary greatly in terms of both looks and packaging. This really helps the builder get a system that won't interfere with other aspects of the car. We decided to try out Concept One's Victory Series drive system on the 5.3L LS engine that will be stuffed into a first-gen Camaro. These kits will fit LS series and other GM Gen-III and Gen-IV engines, including the LQ9 and L92 GM crate engines, and they will work with LS1- and LS2-style throttle bodies. We needed something fairly compact, since the car will have AC and we needed the compressor to clear the crossmember. In terms of looks, the idea was to have a system that was clean and understated. On paper, the Concept One serpentine system looked perfect. It came with everything from the damper to a very trick power steering pump with an integrated aluminum mini-reservoir. The big question was, Would it all fit as advertised? To find out, we packed up our tools and headed over to Best of Show Coach Works to do an installation dry run since that's where the motor is. 1 Here’s our starting point, a 5.3L all-aluminum mill. The great thing about LS engines is that if a pulley system fits one, it will fit them all. The Fluidampr SFI-approved damper was installed before the photo shoot, but it is included in the Concept One kit.1 Here’s our starting point, a 5.3L all-aluminum mill. The great thing about LS engines i 2 The Concept One kit (PN LSV01AB, $2,495.00) came nicely packaged and ready to go. In addition to this sweet black anodizing, the kit also comes in polished, natural machined, and clear anodized. Not shown in the picture but still included in the kit is a small polished Sanden SD-7 compressor with billet manifold, cast-aluminum water pump, 105-amp polished Powermaster one-wire alternator, Fluidampr SFI-approved harmonic damper, and a Goodyear Gatorback belt.2 The Concept One kit (PN LSV01AB, $2,495.00) came nicely packaged and ready to go. In ad 3 First up was installing the water pump with some ARP fasteners we had left over from an LS engine accessory kit.3 First up was installing the water pump with some ARP fasteners we had left over from an 4 This small aluminum ring needed to go on the damper before the pulley. 5 With the ring in place, we then attached the crank pulley using the supplied hardware. While most of the fasteners are metric, a few are standard so make sure you have tools on hand for both.5 With the ring in place, we then attached the crank pulley using the supplied hardware. 6 Next up was the machined billet water neck. Later on we noticed that you could run a factory water neck if needed for hose routing, but this one sure looks better.6 Next up was the machined billet water neck. Later on we noticed that you could run a fa 7 We then attached this small bracket to the passenger-side cylinder head. Later, it will help support the A/C condenser. Anytime we inserted a fastener into aluminum we made sure to dab a little anti-seize or lubricant on the threads. Having one seize up is really no fun. Trust us on this.7 We then attached this small bracket to the passenger-side cylinder head. Later, it will 8 Another bracket was then attached to the driver-side cylinder head. 9 Four fasteners secured the water pump pulley to the pump’s snout. Since these fasteners were going into steel, we dabbed on some threadlocker.9 Four fasteners secured the water pump pulley to the pump’s snout. Since these fasteners 10 A stand-off bracket was then bolted to the large Concept One bracket that we had earlier attached to the driver-side head.10 A stand-off bracket was then bolted to the large Concept One bracket that we had earli 11 Before putting the power steering pump in place, we needed to install this spacer.11 Before putting the power steering pump in place, we needed to install this spacer. 12 The power steering pump is the modern GM type, but it’s been modified by Concept One and comes fully assembled. To make plumbing the system easier, the reservoir is integral to the pump and both the inlet and outlet have attachments.12 The power steering pump is the modern GM type, but it’s been modified by Concept One a 12 The power steering pump is the modern GM type, but it’s been modified by Concept One and comes fully assembled. To make plumbing the system easier, the reservoir is integral to the pump and both the inlet and outlet have attachments.12 The power steering pump is the modern GM type, but it’s been modified by Concept One a 13 With the pump secured, we then installed the pulley. Again, we used blue threadlocker on all the fasteners since they were going into steel. The design of the pulley is such that if we need to pull the pump we won’t have to remove the pulley first.13 With the pump secured, we then installed the pulley. Again, we used blue threadlocker 14 The Powermaster alternator that was supplied with the kit came to us polished. Since we wanted everything to match we took it apart and had the casing powdercoated in a satin black that almost perfectly matches the system’s anodizing. Total cost was $40 to have the alternator torn apart and put back together and $20 for the powdercoating—well worth it in our opinion. You can also see where we installed the three standoff sleeves.14 The Powermaster alternator that was supplied with the kit came to us polished. Since w 15 With that done, we could then install the alternator and tighten down the fasters.15 With that done, we could then install the alternator and tighten down the fasters. 16 We used an Allen wrench to hold the shaft and a socket to turn the nut and secure the alternator pulley in place. Once done, an O-ring–equipped cap made it all look good.16 We used an Allen wrench to hold the shaft and a socket to turn the nut and secure the 17 The Sanden SD-7 compressor is part of the Concept One kit. It bolted to the earlier head bracket using a small spacer. There was a small widget in this hole on the compressor that we needed to knock out so that he bolt would fit through.17 The Sanden SD-7 compressor is part of the Concept One kit. It bolted to the earlier he 18 The Goodyear tensioner was then secured to the A/C compressor bracket. 19 The bracket assembly was then used to put the Sanden compressor in place. Note that the lower two holes use two long spacer sleeves.19 The bracket assembly was then used to put the Sanden compressor in place. Note that th 20 Concept One includes this cover to dress up the compressor. After all, there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of form along with your function.20 Concept One includes this cover to dress up the compressor. After all, there’s nothing 21 Just to get an idea for how it all will look, we went ahead and installed the block for the A/C lines. They route under the A/C compressor and exit just above where the heater lines go on the water pump.21 Just to get an idea for how it all will look, we went ahead and installed the block fo 22 Mark this as done. Installation took well under two hours and was easy as well as drama-free. We really liked the overall fit of the kit and it’s fairly compact design. The high mount of the A/C compressor will ensure that it doesn’t hit the subframe when the LS is eventually dropped in place.22 Mark this as done. Installation took well under two hours and was easy as well as dram SOURCES Automotive Racing Products 1863 Eastman Ave Ventura CA 93003 800-826-3045 www.arp-bolts.com Best of Show Coachworks 1011 Rancheros Drive Suite B San Marcos CA 92069 760-480-0227 www.bestofshowcoachworks.com Concept One NA AK 877-785-5397 www.c1pulleys.com By Steven Rupp Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
