The Summit Racing Lost Bracket Front Accessory Drive System replaces complex mounting hardware with a single water pump casting that supports components with specific torque requirements, such as 37 ft-lb on the crank bolt. The system eliminates traditional brackets and spacers by mounting the alternator, power steering pump, and A/C compressor directly to the housing. The Summit Racing Lost Bracket system suits hot rod builders seeking an uncluttered aesthetic while LS engine swap owners can skip the bracket-hunting process because the kit includes every necessary component.
Who the Summit Racing Lost Bracket system is actually for
Readers who should buy the Summit Racing Lost Bracket system
- LS engine swap owners should choose this kit because it provides a complete, modular solution that fits F-body, truck, and Corvette spacings in one box.
- Hot rod builders should purchase this system to achieve a clean, uncluttered engine bay aesthetic with a slick front-mount layout.
- DIY mechanics should use this kit to simplify the build by avoiding the need to drill into the engine block or deal with milled head spacing issues.
Readers who should skip the Summit Racing Lost Bracket system
- Owners of non-LS engines should look for accessory drives specific to their engine family, such as Small Block Chevy or Coyote systems.
- Professional racing teams requiring custom-engineered high-pressure systems should look for professional custom fabrication guides instead of this off-the-shelf kit.
What to do next about the Summit Racing Lost Bracket system
- Check pricing and availability on the Summit Racing website.
- Purchase a power steering puller and install kit, such as the OTC model, for pulley removal.
- Acquire a belt tension tool to properly seat the serpentine belt.
The Lost Bracket system eliminates the need for brackets and spacers
The Lost Bracket system operates on a design philosophy where no brackets or spacers are used to mount accessories. Instead, every component is modular and bolts directly to a specially designed water pump casting. Mike, a developer of the kit, notes that the system is designed to fit almost any application by consolidating the mounting points into a single hub.
The design simplifies the LS swap by removing the need to hunt for specific brackets or spacers that match your unique engine spacing. Think of the water pump housing as a central hub, allowing all accessories to branch out from a single point of attachment rather than hanging off separate brackets. This centralization reduces aesthetic clutter and simplifies the physical layout of the front end.
The Summit Racing Lost Bracket LS Accessory Drive System includes off-the-shelf components
The Summit Racing kit includes a comprehensive list of off-the-shelf components to ensure everything fits at once. The package contains a power bond balancer, a Made in USA alternator, a water pump, a Sanden SD7 compressor, and a Type 2 GM power steering pump.
Additional components in the box include a power steering pulley, a thermostat housing, a 187 thermostat, all necessary hardware, and the serpentine belt. The inclusion of a cartridge filter allows for easy maintenance using widely available parts.
Step-by-step installation and critical torque specifications
Installation begins by mounting the one-piece water pump housing using the provided gaskets and bolts. The water pump cartridge is then inserted into the housing, which features a dowel pin to ensure it is oriented correctly. You must torque the water pump cartridge bolts to 85 in-lb to secure the unit.
The alternator is installed next, requiring an 8mm wrench to snug the top bolt to 36 ft-lbs. For the Sanden SD7 compressor, you should torque the bolts to 18 ft-lbs, though you may need an M8 125 thread chaser to clean out any powder-coated holes. Finally, the power steering pump is mounted with its slick line fitting, which includes a banjo bolt and two washers.
The crank bolt, which holds the power bond balancer, requires a torque of 37 ft-lb. These specific values ensure that the modular components remain secure under operation.
Customizing fitment for clearance and power steering
The thermostat housing offers three different positions to accommodate various radiator hose and clearance requirements. By providing three distinct housing positions, the kit offers 3x the layout variety of a standard single-position housing. This allows builders to find the perfect fitment regardless of the radiator style being used.
The power steering pump features a specialized line fitting that reroutes the pressure side out the back of the pump. This design provides an AN fitting for easier installation when building hot rods with custom power steering lines. It also pairs directly with Summit Racing’s build-your-own power steering line kits.
Maintenance advantages of off-the-shelf components
The Summit Racing Lost Bracket system prioritizes maintainability by using components that are readily available at most local parts houses. If a component like the alternator or the Sanden SD7 compressor fails, it can be replaced quickly without sourcing proprietary parts. This strategy ensures that the vehicle remains reliable and easy to service in the field.
Recommended tools for a successful install
Successful installation of the accessory drive relies on specific tools for pulling pulleys and tensioning belts. Summit Racing recommends an OTC power steering puller and install kit for removing existing pulleys safely. Additionally, a belt tension tool is recommended for sliding the new serpentine belt over the water pump pulley.
The Summit Racing Lost Bracket LS Accessory Drive System lacks a confirmed retail price
- Summit Racing has not announced the specific retail price for the Lost Bracket system.
- The source has not confirmed the long-term durability of the water pump casting under extreme high-heat racing conditions.
- Summit Racing has not specified compatibility with engine families other than the LS engine.
A modular hub for high-performance LS swaps
Suppose Marcus is installing an LS engine into a vintage truck and is worried about the front end being cluttered with brackets. Because he has also milled his cylinder heads for higher compression, he is concerned that he no longer has enough material to drill traditional bracket holes. Marcus chooses the Summit Racing Lost Bracket system because it is mounted entirely to the water pump housing. By avoiding the engine block and heads, he avoids the risk of compromising his head thickness. He ends up with a clean layout that fits his specific needs.
If Marcus had not milled his heads, he might have settled for traditional brackets to save the cost of the specialized water pump housing. However, the housing-based system provides a more robust solution for his high-performance requirements.
Source: Simplify & Shrink Your LS Accessory Drive with the Lost Bracket System from Summit Racing (Summit Racing).