Just curious. It seems I've read some about the tubular k-members not working well with the ls1 a/c compressor and f-body manifolds. Anybody doing this?

I've collected everything to notch my k-member (engine brace, poly mounts, good jack stands, etc.) and am thinking if a tubular k-member would be worth the extra $$$.

Jon

 

Ghettocruiser has a tubular K and AC. Seems to fit his car great

Manifolds are more compact than LTs, you shouldnt have any interference

 

I seem to remember reading about Spohn's having an issue, but looking at their website now it doesn't mention anything...

 

As I understand it, the F-car LS1s will fit. The Corvette LS1s were a problem for someone last Fall. As I recall, he said the A/C lines (on the back of the compressor) hit the A-arm bolts.
This is so because the face of the balancer (and presumably the rest of the accessory drive) is 3/4" farther forward on the F-car. 4.875" F, 4.125" vette/ block to face of balancer.
I do not know if he solved the problem.

 

That sounds familiar - Spohn used to mention something like that on their website but it's not there anymore.

 

I am running the F-body AC compressor with a PA Racing tubular K-member and Hawk's "swap" AC lines, fits great with no problems. Can't say anything about the Spohn piece though.

People have complained about the quality of the PA pieces but mine is perfect.

 

Thats a good looking under carriage

 

Im actually running the stock k-member with notches for the A/C and oil pan.

I dont see why manifolds would make any difference. If anything they should give more room.

Same with the compressor. I would think the tubular k-member would allow the compressor to fit fine. I thought that was one of the selling points to those things years ago when they first came out?

J.

 

Thanks! I basically ended up replacing every part of the suspension with performance tubular parts. However, the point is that ALL of the f-body accessories, esp. the AC compressor, fit with a tubular K - no problems. As you can see a ton of space is freed up under the engine, plus it weighs a lot less.

 

One thing to note though, the Hawks AC swap lines don't work with f-body manifolds.

I suppose I'm just delaying the inevitable k-member removal by dreaming of more parts...

 

Small update - I took the plunge and ordered a tubular k-member and a-arms from Hawks. I've got the stock k-member and a-arms removed right now, with the engine brace holding everything in place until the k-member comes in.

Also of note - the GTO trans dipstick I got is a no-go. It just doesn't fit well between the engine and firewall. I ordered a no-name dipstick recommended on ls1tech and will give it another shot. I suppose if that doesn't work I can order another lokar, but I'm hoping not to as the lokar I've got now is super hard to read (Anybody else's like that?)

I'll say one thing - removing the k-member with the engine in is definitely doable given the right tools. Big thanks to ghettocruiser for the engine brace idea.

 

I have stock manifolds and thought I would still try to give the Hawks ac lines a try and they do not fit at all. I bought them because they said they said they did not work because they have never tried with stock manifolds. So now mine are for sale in the classifieds. Having custom lines made.

 

Here's what it looks like to me.
A/C will never work with a 'vette LS1. The accessories being 3/4" back puts the K member square in the middle of one end of the A/C compressor.
PLUS, the vague statements about the passenger side K-member brace being incompatible with A/C look to be well founded. The brace bracket stands a good deal away from the K member, and that puts it in what would look to be where the F-body A/C compressor would be. It looks like there is room, otherwise.
There is a ton of room for the Bat-Wing oil pan.
The F-body manifolds have no problem with the pan or the Spohn K-member.
My exhaust crossover will be on the order of those for the long tube crowd. There looks to be no place else to run it.
Fun, fun.