You may need an 8-rib serpentine drive conversion to handle the power and RPM of your small block Chevy. It's now easier than ever to achieve 500-plus HP. At that power level, you've probably spent a lot of time considering cylinder heads, fuel injection, and other components. These same factors also enhance RPM potential to 6000 RPM and beyond without much effort. Any hot rodder worth his gear shift would do anything for more power. Managing all that performance potential is a different challenge, especially when selecting an accessory drive system. While it is possible to get by with a 6-rib serpentine belt, you may upgrade to an 8-rib setup. There are a few things to consider. Can your alternator...

Serpentine conversion is a smart upgrade to enhance the reliability and performance of your Small Block Chevy engine. The conversion process remains the same whether you are converting a 350, 400, or any Gen-1 Small Block Chevy. Let’s compare an old-school V-belt setup with a modern serpentine accessory drive. The differences and benefits go far beyond the belt types, including bracket design and modern drive components. Modern Accessory Drive Components Drive components like alternators, power steering pumps, and AC compressors have advanced significantly since the ‘60s and ‘70s muscle car era. Unless you’re aiming for a concours-correct restoration, upgrading to a modern R134a AC compressor with a serpentine pulley is a smart choice. For instance, traditional AC compressors and their...

The only way to guarantee proper belt alignment and bolt-on installation is to buy a complete system that includes the accessory drive components.