Limitations: F-bod - VS buick 4.3

[Dirty8-un-Dreds]

Correct me if im wrong, but the 4.3 is what buick uses in the turbo gn, and the typhoon and the syclone.... I know a fuy running a 96 s10 with the 4.3 and allot of work in it running 11.2 ... and im getting depressed because theres a 4.6 out there that is set up for turbo and im fumbling around with gm's economy minded 3.8 .. is it possible or feasible to swap into a 4.3 from the gn or the syclone or typhoon?

[97chevycamaro]

Im sure its possible but it would probally cost as much as putting a ls1 in your car, Think about it.

[Dirty8-un-Dreds]

yah thats what I was also thinking, I coul just swap to an ls1and pay v6 insurance, I think at least. I need to talk to some of the guys who made the swap. Only thing id be worreid about it insurance costs, makes me want to stick to a v6 but a ls1 would be very nice, un-modded 13's is onlly a dream for me.

[toast]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dirty8-un-Dreds:
Correct me if im wrong, but the 4.3 is what buick uses in the turbo gn, and the typhoon and the syclone.... I know a fuy running a 96 s10 with the 4.3 and allot of work in it running 11.2 ... and im getting depressed because theres a 4.6 out there that is set up for turbo and im fumbling around with gm's economy minded 3.8 .. is it possible or feasible to swap into a 4.3 from the gn or the syclone or typhoon?<hr></blockquote>

Well Sorry to say but Buick never made a 4.3 V6 that is a Chevy 90degree V6 only(350 with 2 cly knocked off). Biggest V6 that Buick made was a 4.1 but the engine was not very popular. The 3.8 on the other had is the most popular engine that Buick ever made. In the Grand National you find a Turbo 3.8 under the hood not a 4.3. GMC used the 4.3 in the Syclone and the Typhoon because the 4.3 is more of a truck engine. The 3.8 in our F-bodies have so much potential but not alot of people take the time to explore it.

[Dominic]

The 4.3 is a good engine but tends to have a long stroke and is torquey... The 3.8 is much flatter across the board. Personally I think the 3.8 would make a great truck engine :D

We have no known limitations other than money really.

[Kelly Rosato]

The 4.3 V6 that was used in the SY/TY platforms is different from the 3.8/4.1 Buick V6. The 4.3 is a 90 degree small block chevy derivitive, its known for its lack of smooth idle and generally poor performance compared to the Buick V6 family.

HTH

[ December 25, 2002: Message edited by: Kelly Rosato ]</p>

[Dirty8-un-Dreds]

good to know, thx for the replies. Im just getting so sick of investing money in the car and still being in the 15's . I realize though that its not an overnight process, with my minimal mods not much can be expected, maybe after a TC, and some sort of forced induction ill be seeing the times I want to see. I just cant understand why there are GN's in the 9's and the fastest 3.8 is still low 12's . But that will all change in time im sure. Oh well... I guess it boils down to if your going to swap might as well go with a ls1, if not stick with the 3.8.

[AMinor65]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dirty8-un-Dreds:
... I guess it boils down to if your going to swap might as well go with a ls1, if not stick with the 3.8.<hr></blockquote>

Sounds like a plan. ;)

[toast]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dirty8-un-Dreds:
I just cant understand why there are GN's in the 9's and the fastest 3.8 is still low 12's .<hr></blockquote>

It is all in the turbo my friend. That is why the GN is such an awesome car. Not many people have perfected a turbo to be used on the Series 2 yet but i am sure if enough people had them there would probly be one in the 9s.

[Kelly Rosato]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by toast:
It is all in the turbo my friend. That is why the GN is such an awesome car. Not many people have perfected a turbo to be used on the Series 2 yet but i am sure if enough people had them there would probly be one in the 9s.<hr></blockquote>

And there is a host of other things as well, the A/G bodies are full frame instead of a unibody, 8.5 rears, a great panhard bar and 15+ years of after market behind them. I'd love to Turbo a 3.8 Series II. But without proper programming tools, like LT1 edit or TunerCat its really tough.

[Josh R.]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dominic:
The 4.3 is a good engine but tends to have a long stroke and is torquey... The 3.8 is much flatter across the board. Personally I think the 3.8 would make a great truck engine :D

We have no known limitations other than money really.<hr></blockquote>

Exaclty what me and my brother were thinking [img]smile.gif[/img]


3800 S-10

And that's my '89 TGP in the second pic down :D

[Kelly Rosato]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Josh R.:
Exaclty what me and my brother were thinking
(3800 S-10).<hr></blockquote>

Wow! I do custom EFI projects for the street rod guys and I was going to do an LT1 Volvo 240 just to show customers that I can FI anything. I LIKE the truck, well done. Where did you get the motor mounts made? The look great! [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[Josh R.]

My brother and I made them ourselves...we both work at a place that has a lathe and mill so fabrication in not a problem. On most smallblock motor mount conversions they retain the 2.8 frame mounts, and so we used stock 2.8 frame mounts. We made the other half that bolts to the block and it only took two versions until we were happy with the position of the engine. The first version didn't locate the engine forward enough to remove the tranny to engine block bolts, but but we remade the mounts in order to relocate it further forward. I have to post some pictures of the headers we made. They are more impressive in my opinion.

[ December 26, 2002: Message edited by: Josh R. ]</p>