Hi everyone.

I have a question for a friend I'm trying to help out with his TPI install.

He has an '83 T/A 305 that he is installing a tuned port set-up on.

The engine originally had the V-belt set-up, but he wants to install the serp. belt set-up from the Camaro/Firebird.

My question is: Does anyone know if the serp. belt set-up for 90-92 is the same from a TBI car to a TPI car?

I've done some searching here and the internet but can't seem to find an answer. He has a lead on a 90-92 set-up from a TBI car but we're not sure if it is the same as the TPI set-ups. (Brackets identical)

Thanks in advanced for any help!

Andy

 

should be the same; my 89 TBI looked exactly like the TPI setup pictured here:
https://www.thirdgen.org/serpentine

make sure both of the heads have provisions for the brackets (should have 3 holes on each head); they may not if it was a v-belt setup

 

The serp system should attach fine, as long as the heads have the accessory bolt holes.

But - in swapping over, he'll need:

1) a new water pump (v belt is standard rotation, serp belt is reverse rotation)
2) A/C compressor for a serp car - they are different and I don't think the A/C compressor will attach to the serp bracket.
3) serp pulleys for harmonic balancer, p/s, and smog pump - p/s pulleys are pressed on, you need a 'free rental' removal tool for it, don't know about smog pump.
4) might have to get a p/s pump as well - different year models had different holes in the backs for attaching.

It's not a cheap endeavor, and the serp belt really won't do anything any better or different.

Now, after having said that, I swapped from the serp system to get away from it - I always hated the huge ugly brackets, and I had removed my A/C and smog pump anyway - so I went with a serp belt on alt/wp/crank and a v belt on p/s/crank - nice clean look and easy to deal with, but again it wasn't cheap to do - in the end I spent about $400 to do it in new parts, brackets, etc. But it's a personal preference thing - just wanted you to know that there's no advantage in a serp system but there is cost in swapping since most everything has to be changed, not just the brackets and the belt/pulleys (like the water pump).