Ac compressor for ff ac/heater kit

[jwelch7818]

Once again need advice. I'm in the process of finding a front drive kit for the LS3/5.3L engine. Is there a specific compressor needed for the engine or heater unit? Would like brackets with ac and alternator and no power steering pump.

Of course any advice is well appreciated,
J-Dub

[JimLev]

Have you tried Vintage Air?
Which engine do you have?
LS3 is a 6.2
LS1 is a 5.3

[edwardb]

I did a lot of research when building my 35 Truck with an LS3. Same from the firewall forward as your 33 Hot Rod. I selected a Vintage Air 175011 frontrunner drive system. Included a Sanden A/C compressor, a 170amp alternator, an upgraded harmonic balancer with the proper belt spacing, and also a different water pump. No PS pump since I used the electric system from Factory Five. Not cheap, but everything about the setup was very high quality and worked great. Fit into the somewhat limited space in this chassis. Pictures and more details in my build thread linked below.

[jwelch7818]

Hey Jim, yes you're correct, it is a 5.3 LS1...my dyslexia shows up in numbers all the time...more likely my fingers are faster than my brain.. anyway, you've looked out for me before and I thank you once again.
edwardb gave me some good info and yes, it is vintage air stuff. I've seen pictures of your build, beautiful machine

[Kbl7td]

Brother please just find out what the motor came from. LS1 was never a 5.3, it is a 5.7. Are there 5.3 LS derivatives, yes. It you’re talking mostly truck versions, LM7/L59/LM4. This is going to make a big difference as far as pulley offsets etc.

So if it’s a donor engine and you’re using the same front assembly, just go on rock auto and buy the compressor that came with that engine.

[jwelch7818]

well, after much confusion I called the builder...I assumed it was an LS3 based on his ad but, it's neither a 1 or 3. And you are absolutely correct about the LS1 being a 5.7 with aluminum block...mine started as a LM7 then modified. The heads threw me off also which are interchangeable between LS1 to LS3. Whole lotta misinformation on the ol interweb...
Thanks for responding otherwise may have been going in circles assuming the wrong thing.