Maybe the Serpentine Kit will Work!

So I got an email back from March Performance.  They suggested just removing one of the added idlers.  Not sure if it would be better to remove the passenger or driver side idler.  If I remove the driver side I get the normal amount of surface contact on the A/C compressor's pulley, but if I remove the passenger side, I get more clearance over the water pump and more bite on the alternator.  Removing the passenger side also loses a little of the A/C compressor bite, but not a lot.  I could leave the driver side idler on and just go over the top, but that seems a little silly since it wouldn't really be providing any useful functionality.  Anyway, I took a couple pictures with twine going around the system, so we'll see what March thinks.

As for the power steering bracket...  They did update their design to eliminate the third mounting hole.  They just haven't updated the instructions yet (and apparently didn't tell the packaging department since they sent 3 bolts).  Still waiting to hear back from them about whether or not to shim the bracket out just a tiny bit with stainless steel washers to allow the pump to be attached while the bracket is attached to the motor.  As it is I can't squeeze the pump on there.

Anyway, once I hear back on those final thoughts, I'll redo all the bolt with some blue loc-tite.  Right now they're just on hang tight.

Oh!  And the other big news!  I got the transmission ordered today!  It's a 200-4R automatic transmission with overdrive, so I won't have to change my driveshaft length.  I'll just need to file my mounting holes a bit in my cross member.  I'm getting it through Bowtie Overdrives (BTO) and it'll be a level 2 which means they've beefed it up to handle 450 HP and 500 ft-lbs of torque.  I'm getting the complete setup through them.  The shifter update, the TV update (not television), braided stainless steel cooler lines, dip stick, wiring harness, and torque converter.  Scott Sperry had recommended a 1800 stall torque converter, but when I mentioned that to BTO they didn't think that was enough stall.  I sent them the specs of my cam and they thought 1800 would be alright for street cruising, but still thought I should go with the 2200.  So that's what I did...  Anyway, that should show up in about 2 weeks!  Now just need to get the u-joints...

Pretty soon there will be no excuses to get this thing working again!  Getting excited!