4.3L V6 Swap Sounds Interesting, Need Help With Details

[cboney2000]

I've been looking at some of the new 4.3L V6 Vortec engines that make 190 HP and 260 TQ and they look pretty nice to me, especially since they will bolt up to my 4L60E tranny. I've done searches and it seems the consensus is that you need to put headers and a better cam (with lifters/etc for higher rpms) to get a better HP curve or it will be all bottom end power. What else will have to be done to get this thing running in a firebird? Would it require new motor mounts? New dash cluster? What about the computer port where you plug in diagnostics and hooking up all the computer connections? Hood clearance on a 97? Header clearance? Any issues I should know about?

[navyblue2000]

may as well trade your firebird in on an S-10 that's already vortec equipped.
it's lighter than the f-bodies.
Now, about your swap....
if i recall correctly you'll need a new bellhousing for the transmission (i think). You'll also have intake issues, with hood clearance, as the throttle body sits on top of the intake manifold/engine.
With all the cost involved...and as much as i LOVE the 4.3L V6, you're just as good off to swap in Lieutenant Juan, or his greek-god-of-a-brother Ellis Juan.
The 4.3 is a very capable engine...you can use a lot of the 350 internals on it, which is great aftermarket. but...the cost just doesnt justify .

[96_V6_Fbody]

Since the 4.3 is a butchered 350 wouldn't rather just drop an LT1 or LS1 in it? Also, Chevy should've put these motors in the camaro to start with.

[navyblue2000]

no, they shouldn't have.

look at the gas mileage. my brother's stripped down, no frills, V6 s-10, with the manual tranny, regular cab, short bed.
17/23

he then bought the same thing, but extended cab with a/c.
16/22

both had 3.08 gears, for more favorable towing/gas mileage abilities.

last i checked, the V6 fbodies get 19/30.

the v6 f body was designed more or less for something sporty, yet economical.

the 4.3 has no place from the factory, in an F

[96_V6_Fbody]

Well, of course they wouldn't put the exact 4.3 from the trucks. But, the could've tuned it for a F-body. Plus gas mileage isn't one of my high priorities in a car. It matters, but not as much as performance.

[RedFrk13]

Different tranny bellhousing which means you would need a new tranny because your is one piece.

[cboney2000]

Thanx for the replys, keep em coming. Ok, I've found a couple of places that have low mileage (10-20K miles) 4.3L engines with the automatic 4l60e transmission so i wouldnt have to worry about switching out my bellhousing (which i dont think is removable anyways) and it should bolt right up. My hood is messed up from a fender bender so i'm getting a cowl hood probably so the clearance wouldnt be an issue either. What else do I need to worry about besides gas mileage and changing the cam for higher rpm power? Specifically for the computer and motor mounts and such, how will it work?

[Bliggida]

Hot Rod Magazine worked on a carb'd 4.3L. They managed 500 horsepower with a Vortec Supercharger at about 12 pounds of boost.

4.3L is a 350 with two cylinder's lopped off. Pistons, rods, valves, and accessories, are all the same.

In my opinion, a 4.3L is only good for when a 350 will absolutely not fit. In a V6 F-body. I think the better engine would be a GN turbo 231.

[navyblue2000]

both the 4.3L and the 3.8 GN motor would need a lot of custom fabrication to fit in the f body. First off, neither engine was designed to fit, which is your first problem. LOTS of fabriaction and custom motor mounts. for the 3.8 turbo, you're gonna have to go back to OBD I, shoot it might not have even been around back then.
the 4.3L is going to need a WHOLE lot of custom work done around the dash and what not, the computer would need some work done to it. Both would be interesting, but ya gotta think...ls1 and lt1 will bolt square up, and probably be cheaper in the long run.

on the other hand, you have the story my brother tells about this guy who dropped a 6.2L diesel in a firebird... [img]graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

[Blue94V6]

Don't forget about the oil pan. The 4.3 is designed for a truck, therefore ground clearance wasn't much of an issue when they designed it. I thought about doing this swap, but I determined that it really wouldn't be worth it. If you're really interested though, check out www.machperformance.com. Bill Mach is the 4.3l guru.

______________________________
1994 Med Quasar Blue L32 M5 Camaro
Eibach Springs, KYB Gas-A-Just shocks, K&N filter, PFC Carbon Metallic pads

[Swift_3800_F-Body]

the 4.3 Vortech sucks

If i were to swap any v6 with the v6 i have id to to go with GM's 4.2-liter inline 6 with 270 HP

That engine is so awsome, almost the power of a LT1 stock, and its a little lighter

[pigglyroot]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Swift_3800_F-Body:
the 4.3 Vortech sucks
<hr></blockquote>

NEVER heard of the 4.3 Vortech

[99Camaro99]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by 96_V6_Fbody:
Plus gas mileage isn't one of my high priorities in a car. It matters, but not as much as performance.<hr></blockquote>

then what the hell are you doing with a V6...or better yet a 3.4L? I'd be in at least the V8 F-body ro something better. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[navyblue2000]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Swift_3800_F-Body:
the 4.3 Vortech sucks

If i were to swap any v6 with the v6 i have id to to go with GM's 4.2-liter inline 6 with 270 HP

That engine is so awsome, almost the power of a LT1 stock, and its a little lighter<hr></blockquote>

it's VORTEC. Vortech makes superchargers.
swap any v6 with the v6, with an I6? hrm...
not to mention the you couldn't fit in in the f body engine bay without either shoe horning it at an angle, moving the firewall back, etc...
doesn't make the tq of an lt1 either.

[Bliggida]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Bliggida:
Hot Rod Magazine worked on a carb'd 4.3L. They managed 500 horsepower with a Vortec Supercharger at about 12 pounds of boost.

4.3L is a 350 with two cylinder's lopped off. Pistons, rods, valves, and accessories, are all the same.
<hr></blockquote>