4.8 76 K-10 Keeping AC in stock LS location?

[roundhouse]

Ive read lots of threads here,
my 17 yr old son has a 76 K-10 currently has a worn out 350, 4'' lift, 3.73 axles and 35'' tires
we installed a NV-3500 from a 2007 Silverado, and a TBI from a 1990

in a few weeks, months we are looking at replacing the engine and getting the AC working, before he heads off to college with it next fall.


has anyone come up with a reasonably priced way to keep the LS A/C compressor in the stock location on the bottom?

reason Im asking is that it appears that relocating the AC comp will cost more than the entire LS engine , harness and computer.

it seems that around me, the 4.8/5.3 with harness and ECM goes for around $650-700, i really hate to spend $500 just to relocate the AC comp


also have some questions about what flywheel and clutch to use.
since we are already running a 5 speed from a LS pickup, I assume all we need is a LS flywheel and clutch, but no one seems to know if the LS engines with a slushbox had a different crankshaft than the ones with a 5 speed.

do we have to find a LS that came from a manual trans?