Kwik Performance, Inc.

07/14/2026

If you’ve ever tried plumbing a modern Sanden AC compressor into a classic C10, you know the struggle is real. You’re usually stuck choosing between paying massive custom shop rates or wrestling with a DIY hand-crimper, praying your lines don’t leak all that expensive refrigerant.

We figured it was time to put an end to the "AC specialist tax" and the garage headaches. We engineered a line of ready-to-bolt-on AC hose kits built by square body guys, for square body guys.

Check out the full breakdown and find your kit here:
👉 https://www.kwikperf.com/blogs/news/square-body-ac-stop-overpaying-for-custom-ac-hoses

Here’s how we’re saving you time and cash:

No Guesswork: Factory-quality, machine-crimped hoses built to the exact length for your specific year-range and compressor.

The Kwik-Exclusive Fitting: A custom-engineered fitting with built-in service and trinary safety switch ports to keep your engine bay clean.

1973-1980 Trucks: Why we include a high-efficiency condenser to fix GM's old driver-side routing mess.

1981-1987 Trucks: How to keep your good factory condenser or upgrade it with an optional add-on kit.

Whether you're running a classic SBC, a massive BBC, or doing a modern LS swap, we've got the plumbing to get your cabin ice-cold. Give it a read and stop overpaying for custom hoses!

Until now, you've had two choices for C10 AC hoses: Custom shop rates or DIY nightmare. No more. We've engineered a ready-to-bolt-on solution.

07/09/2026

Trying to track down factory accessory brackets for a Big Block Chevy (BBC) is getting harder by the day, and aftermarket setups can get real expensive, real quick.

Meanwhile, every local salvage yard is overflowing with cheap, reliable Small Block Chevy (SBC) serpentine systems from ’88-and-up trucks and SUVs.

Ever wish you could just grab those abundant small block brackets and bolt them right onto your big block? Well, you can. We’ve perfected an adapter system that lets you bridge the gap, saving you major cash on your BBC build.

Get the full step-by-step guide here:
👉 https://www.kwikperf.com/blogs/news/how-to-run-affordable-sbc-serpentine-parts-on-your-bbc

Inside, we break down exactly how to do it:

Identifying the Donor: How to tell if you have an "Early" ('88-'95 TBI) or "Late" ('96+ Vortec) SBC setup, and why it matters for your AC compressor location.

The Crank Pulley Decision: Whether you need a full conversion kit with our custom crank adapter or just our base plates.

The Mandatory Hardware Checklist: The exact water pump, pulley, and swivel water neck you’ll need to make sure your alignment and cooling are spot-on.

Don't break the bank trying to dress up your Big Block. Read the guide, make a trip to the junkyard, and get that project moving!

Finding factory accessory brackets for a Big Block Chevy is hard and expensive. Here's how you can bolt lightweight small block brackets onto your big block.

06/29/2026

If you're mapping out an LS swap, figuring out where to bolt the AC compressor can feel like playing a game of Tetris. Space gets tight fast when you start trying to clear frame rails, steering boxes, and motor mounts.

We get asked all the time: "Why do you guys offer so many different LS AC brackets?" The short answer is because no two swap projects are exactly the same. In our latest blog, we’re breaking down the puzzle so you can find the perfect fit the first time around.

Check out the full LS AC guide here:
👉https://www.kwikperf.com/blogs/news/choosing-the-right-ac-compressor-bracket-for-your-ls-swap

Inside, we dive into:

The 4 Mounting Styles: Wide Mount, Low Mount, High & Tight, and Street Rod—and exactly when to use each one.

The Balancer Blueprint: Why your harmonic balancer (Corvette, F-Body, or Truck spacing) dictates your entire bracket choice.

Compressor Comparison: Breaking down the differences between the Sanden Mini, Sanden HD, and the classic GM R4.

The "Pull Out" Trick: How mixing a Corvette water pump and balancer on a truck engine can save you major real estate.

Before you buy a bracket that hits your inner fender, give this a quick read. Got a tricky engine bay? Let us know what you're building in the comments!

Picking the right AC compressor & bracket is crucial for proper fit, belt alignment, & ensures all your parts work together. Here are the key considerations.

06/15/2026

If you're looking to swap a modern powerhouse with serious grunt and great fuel efficiency, the GM Gen 5 LT engine is a killer choice. They’re plentiful in the yards and have massive horsepower potential.

But as great as they are, Gen 5 swaps come with two massive headaches right out of the gate: No hydraulic power steering (GM went electric) and factory AC compressors that won't work with your aftermarket AC kit.

Before you start scratching your head in the garage, we've got the fix. We broke down everything you need to know about navigating the Gen 5 swap puzzle in our latest blog.

Get all the swap tips here:
👉https://www.kwikperf.com/blogs/news/swap-tips-for-chevy-gen-5-lt-engines

What we're diving into:

The Truck Divide: How to instantly spot the difference between an L83/86 (2014-19) and an L84/87 (2020+) by looking at one simple pulley.

The AC Solution: Why that factory variable-displacement compressor won't play nice with aftermarket air, and how to adapt a Sanden.

Adding Hydraulic Steering: How our bracket kits solve the "no power steering" problem while keeping as many factory front-drive parts as possible.

The Camaro LT Hack: Our newly redesigned bracket that clears the lower throttle body on Camaro intakes.

Don't let Gen 5 engineering stall your classic car or truck project. Check out the guide and let us know what you're dropping an LT into!

GM Gen 5 engines were first introduced in 2014 in Corvettes and GM trucks and 2016 in Camaros. This engine series is becoming popular for engine swappers because of its direct fuel injection, variable valve timing, and allows for high horsepower potential while maintaining good fuel efficiency. It's...

06/10/2026

One of the biggest headaches in an LS swap is the "parts bin" puzzle. If you’re dropping a modern LS into a classic muscle car or truck, you’re suddenly dealing with a mix of vintage SAE threads and modern metric fittings.

Trying to find the right power steering hoses to connect a 2010 pump to a 1968 steering box can drive anyone crazy. We got tired of the guesswork, so we put together a universal kit that handles it all.

Check out the full breakdown and see the kit in action:
👉https://www.kwikperf.com/blogs/news/power-steering-hose-kits-to-fit-any-ls-swap

In this post, we cover:

The "Canned Ham" vs. Type-2: Identifying your pump style.

The 1980 Divide: Why GM switched from SAE to Metric and what it means for your fittings.

What’s in the Box: From banjo bolts to -6 AN adapters, we show you the hardware that makes the connection happen.

Bonus: A quick video walkthrough of how the kit simplifies your plumbing.

Don't let a leaky, mismatched hose keep your project in the garage. Read up and get those wheels turning!

When you're doing an LS swap, you might find yourself with both SAE and metric style fittings on your power steering pump and gearboxes. Here's how to solve that issue.

06/01/2026

If you’ve ever scrolled through an LS swap forum, you’ve probably seen the "flame wars" about heater hoses. To cap or to loop? That is the question.

It sounds like a small detail, but getting it wrong can lead to mysterious overheating issues that’ll have you pulling your hair out. We decided to quit guessing and actually look at why the LS thermostat is designed so differently from the old-school SBC we grew up with.

Check out the full "Mystery Solved" breakdown here:
👉 https://www.kwikperf.com/blogs/news/chevy-ls-thermostat-mystery-solved-maybe

In this post, we dig into:

- The "Second Disc": What that extra part on your LS thermostat actually does.

- To Loop or Not to Loop: Why some guys get away with capping the ports while others overheat.

- The Bypass Secret: How coolant flow (or lack of it) affects your thermostat's reaction time.

- Fan Control: How we’re using this info to trigger two-speed electric fans without needing the ECU.

Don't let a simple cooling bypass stall your build. Give it a read and let us know are you team "Cap" or team "Loop"?

Wonder how Chevy LS thermostats work and whether it's OK to cap off the heater hose ports? We've solved the mystery. Maybe.

05/27/2026

If you’re working on an 88-98 Chevy truck, you know the struggle with the factory AC. Whether you’re sticking with the original small block, going big with a BBC, or joining the LS swap crowd, one question always comes up: Which compressor should I use?

The old "pancake" R4 compressors don’t exactly have a reputation for lasting forever. In our latest blog, we break down the best Sanden upgrades for your OBS project and explain exactly which bracket and compressor combo fits your specific engine setup.

Check out the full guide here:
👉 https://www.kwikperf.com/blogs/news/which-ac-compressor-is-the-right-choice-for-your-chevy-obs-truck-project

Here’s what we dive into:

- The "Mini" vs. The "709": Which Sanden compressor has the capacity you need?

- Adapter Kits: How to upgrade to a Sanden while keeping your factory brackets.

- LS Swap Dilemmas: Why your harmonic balancer determines which AC bracket you can run.

- The Full Package: Pairing your compressor with our OBS-specific hose kits for a painless install.

Don't spend another summer sweating in the cab. Give it a read and let’s get that air blowing ice cold again!

When deciding on an AC compressor for your Chevy OBS truck, there's several routes you can go. Here are the choices and how to make the decision.

05/21/2026

Kwik Performance at the 2026 NSRA show at Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield, MO 05/22-05/24. Come say hello!

05/21/2026

If you’re working on an 88-98 Chevy truck (or those 99-00 Suburbans and Tahoes), you know that "OBS" covers a lot of ground.

Especially when it comes to the AC system.

Trying to mix and match parts from different years during an LS swap can turn into a real headache fast. Did you know that GM swapped from SAE to metric threads mid-generation? Or that the compressor moved from one side of the engine to the other in '96?

We put together a quick guide to help you identify exactly what you’ve got so you can get your AC blowing ice-cold without the "trial and error" at the parts counter.

Read the full breakdown here:
👉 https://www.kwikperf.com/blogs/news/chevy-obs-ac-differences

What’s covered:

- The R4 vs. HT6 Divide: Why location matters for your bracket choice.

- Metric vs. SAE: How to tell if your '94 or '95 truck is the "odd man out."

- The Sanden Solution: How to adapt modern, efficient compressors to your factory lines.

Keep those OBS trucks cool, guys! If you have questions about which hose kit fits your specific swap, drop them in the comments.

When we use the term “OBS” (old body style) here at Kwik Performance, we’re generally referring to Chevy half-ton pickups made from 1988-98. Just to confuse the issue, GM continued that body style for the Suburban, Tahoe and 2500/3500 trucks into 1999 and 2000. If you’re upgrading one of the...

05/14/2026

Get the AC back up and performing better than ever in your C10 or K5 Square Body. Kwik Performance offers a selection of complete kits with everything you need from the evaporator forward.

81-87 with a good condenser and liquid line? We have a two-hose kit with a new accumulator/dryer, or***ce tube, universal PAG oil, O-rings, binary/trinary switch, and service ports.

81-87 with factory air but need a condenser and liquid line? We have a complete kit including a Vintage Air high-efficiency condenser, mounting brackets and a liquid line to connect it to your evaporator.

73-80 with factory air? We have a complete kit with a Vintage Air high-efficiency condenser, mounting brackets, hoses, new accumulator/dryer, or***ce tube, universal PAG oil, O-rings, binary/trinary switch, and service ports.

Check out our line of AC hose kits and accessories at:

https://www.kwikperf.com/collections/air-conditioning