Step by Step: Accessory Aspirin

Curing LS Engine-Swap Headaches with Holley’s Mid-Mount Complete Accessory System

- Wes Duenkel

Unless you’ve been sealed inside your garage tweaking your pro-street Vega’s dual-quad, tunnel-ram setup for the past 15 years, you’ve noticed GM’s LS engines stuffed under the sheet metal of practically every type of vintage vehicle—from Aspens to Zephyrs. Looking to give your project some modern muscle? Compact and relatively lightweight, the pushrod Gen III mill is tempting. After all, how hard can it be? Well, things can get complicated after an LS long-block is plunked between the shock towers.

If your project needs power steering, air conditioning, or an alternator, you’ll have to plunder salvage yards for a front-accessory solution. If you’re lucky, an existing setup from a factory-equipped LS car or truck will fit. Otherwise, fitting a power-steering pump, alternator, and air-conditioning compressor (if you’re crafty) leads to cussing, cutting, and compromises.