1. Dean Livermore from Hot Rods by Dean handled the installation of the Vintage Air Front Runner on editor Brian Brennan’s Corvette. Here he installs the water pump. (The rumor that Brennan isn’t allowed to use tools isn’t entirely true; that rule only applies to power tools.)

By Ron Ceridono Photography by Brian Brennan

he saying “Build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door” is often attributed to poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson. While his original wording was more eloquent, the modern version still conveys the idea. The challenge is to find ways to improve existing products, and enhancing hot rod parts is exactly what Vintage Air achieved with the Front Runner accessory drive system.

Mounting engine-driven accessories in a hot rod has always been a challenge, both in size and strength. Getting components tightly packed against the engine to fit into a small engine bay was tough. Designing brackets that were sturdy enough to prevent vibration, look clean, and properly align all the pulleys was also difficult. All those issues disappeared when Vintage Air introduced the Front Runner, their smallest drive package ever, offering a better solution for these problems.

As Vintage Air’s Rick Love explains: “We introduced the first Front Runner drive system (small-block Chevy) in late 1999. We trademarked the name as well. The criteria was to design and develop a robust and rigid platform that mounted strictly to the engine block so that deck height, head, and intake manifold choices were irrelevant.” By securely mounting all engine-driven components to a rigid platform, it was no longer necessary to pivot them to properly tension the required V-belt array. Instead, a serpentine belt is used with a spring-loaded tensioner, which eliminates the need for belt adjustments. Additionally, serpentine belts save space and can handle more tension to prevent slipping without stretching. Today, many modern engines, such as the GM LS Series and the Ford Coyote modular engines, require the integrated mounting approach that a Front Runner provides.

Included in the small-block Chevy Front Runner kit is a Stewart water pump. These high-flow, reverse-rotation pumps are unique because they feature dimensionally accurate mounting surfaces (the depth of the holes that attach the pump to the block). This allows for perfect alignment of the Vintage Air main bracket and pulley, something that can’t be guaranteed with OEM water pumps.

The Front Runner kit includes a Mechman “hairpin” (Denso design) high-output alternator with a 170-amp output (130-plus at idle). It comes with a heavy four-gauge charge wire, wiring kit with terminals, and a crimping die. These Vintage Air alternators use an ignition switch-activated wire to excite the alternator, as this method offers better load response than one-wire versions. While 170 amps should be enough for most applications, Vintage Air now provides a 320-amp alternator for extreme electrical demands. Regardless of the alternator selected, a ground wire from the lower alternator mounting bolt to the engine block is highly recommended.

It is logical that the Vintage Air Front Runner would include an A/C compressor. Front Runner kits feature a compact A/C compressor that uses R-134a refrigerant and comes with a bolt-on, O-ring compressor block. Placing the connections on the side of the compressor makes connecting the refrigerant lines easier.

As Brennan’s C3 Vette has been updated with a Detroit Speed & Engineering (DSE) front suspension system with rack-and-pinion steering, a power steering pump is required. Vintage Air’s GM TC power steering pump (often referred to as a Type II), included with the Front Runner, supplies the 1,800-psi peak pressure and 3-gal/min flow that the DSE rack requires. This pump is also appropriate for conventional GM power steering boxes.

Vintage Air offers Front Runners in various finishes. Brackets are available in machined or black anodized options. Compressors and alternators come in natural, polished, or chrome finishes. Pulleys, clutch, and tensioner covers are offered in chrome or black anodized. All kits include ARP fasteners.

Currently, Front Runner kits are available for small- and big-block Chevrolets, as well as GM LS, LS7, LT1, and LT2 engines. Additionally, Vintage Air recently introduced cast-aluminum Front Runner kits for LT1 and LS engines. And Vintage Air hasn’t forgotten about Ford enthusiasts—Front Runner kits are available for Ford small-blocks and Coyotes. These kits are compatible with most Coyote generations, though some may require a timing cover change.

Vintage Air Front Runner systems are not only compact and sleek in appearance, but they are also more efficient than V-belt-driven systems. Thanks to their thoughtful design and high-quality control, Front Runners are easy to install and virtually maintenance-free. Emerson may not have been a hot rodder, but he had the right idea.

2. Vintage Air’s billet front accessory drive system for small- and big-block Chevys includes brackets, pulleys, water pump, high-amp alternator, A/C compressor, and drive belt—power steering pumps are optional.

4. Included in all Vintage Air Front Runner kits are top-quality ARP stainless steel fasteners. Prior to installation, the threads must be treated with antiseize compound.

6. All engine-driven components have minimum and maximum speeds for proper operation. Front Runner pulleys were designed to provide optimal ratios throughout the most common engine rpm operating ranges.

9. For power steering applications, the pump bracket slides over the lower water pump stud and bolts to the lower holes on the driver side of the block. For non–power steering applications, a pump delete bracket is included.

11. Vintage Air machines its billet Front Runner components in-house. Here, a solid block of aluminum is being turned into a main bracket for a small-block Chevy.

13. Included with all Front Runner kits is a Sanden or TCCI 7B10 compressor. These compressors ship with the correct amount of PAG oil; no additional oil is required.

15. Here, the A/C compressor and alternator have been mounted to the main bracket. The included compressor clutch cover has also been installed.

16. With the correct spacers in place, Livermore slid the main bracket assembly onto the mounting studs.

18. The spacer for the belt tensioner has two holes for the locating pin—one for power steering applications and the other for non power steering.

20. There are two pins on the tensioner that properly align it on the spacer. Note the pin in the “left” hole for this power steering application.

22. Chevrolet has carefully included the same threaded holes that were on the front of 1955-57 blocks for engine mounts on both sides. They also serve as great accessory mounting points.

24. At the bottom, the tensioner bracket is mounted with the supplied 4-3/4-inch ARP 12-point fasteners. At the top, it fits over the water pump studs and is secured with 12-point nuts.

26. Included with the Front Runner kit is a power steering pump with a flow rate of 3.0 to 3.4 gal/min. For early Mustang II rack-and-pinion applications, a lower flow-rate control valve (PN 8520010) is available.

28. When installing the power-steering pump pulley, it is mandatory to use the proper installation tool to install the pulley onto the shaft. These tools are readily available at most auto parts stores. Driving the pulley on with a hammer or attempting to press the pulley on from the front will destroy the pump.

30. Front Runners are available for Chevrolet’s big-block engines, featuring the same options as the small-block kits.

32. Small-block Ford Front Runner kits feature a one-piece forged aluminum timing cover with built-in accessory mounts.