LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion

Camaro and Firebird: How to Change Serpentine Belt

Replacing your serpentine belt is not only easy, but is good insurance for promoting the health of your engine.

By AJ Mawley - March 1, 2016

This article applies to the Pontiac Firebird and Chevy Camaro (1990-2002).

Your serpentine belt is responsible for transferring the energy from your crank pulley to the rest of the pulleys on your engine, like the alternator and A/C. Over time, the rubber grooves and material of the belt degrades and starts to make noise or crack. This is really annoying and can cause terrible results if left alone for thousands of miles. Eventually, the belt can snap and cause havoc in your engine bay. It is best to replace your belt every five years or 50,000 miles. Check out how to below!

Camaro and Firebird How to Change Serpentine Belt

Materials Needed

  • 15mm wrench or socket
  • New belt

Step 1 – Remove air box

Depending on the air intake that you have fitted to your LS1, you may find this easier to remove the lid before beginning. Remove the bolts holding the lid to the front core support, and remove the bolts holding the intake tube to the throttle body. Cold air intakes and other aftermarket solutions may be different in this regard.

ls1 camaro firebird corvette serpentine belt change DIY how to replacement
Figure 1. SLP lid on LS1.

Step 2 – Remove belt

Before doing anything, check to see if your belt routing diagram is still there in your engine bay. If not, take a picture of the belt routing so you have an idea of how to put it back on. Then, place your 15mm wrench on the tensioner pulley bolt and turn it clockwise as far as you can go. This will relieve the tension on the belt and allow you to slip it off the pulleys on the engine. It is easier if you have one person hold the wrench and release the tension while you remove the belt.

ls1 camaro firebird corvette serpentine belt change DIY how to replacement
Figure 2. Removing belt.

Step 3 – Install new belt

Now, route the new belt according to your belt diagram, but don't wrap it around one pulley. This pulley should be easy to access with your hands. The idea is to relieve the tension on the belt as you did with removing the belt, and slip the belt over the last pulley. Make sure the belt grooves all line up, then reassemble the intake and start your engine!

ls1 camaro firebird corvette serpentine belt change DIY how to replacement
Figure 3. LS1 belt routing.

Featured Video: LS1 Serpentine Belt Change on Transam

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