4.3L Swap FAQ

I remember Nick wanted to swap the 4.3 out of his Blazer into his camaro. I was surfing ebay and found this. What kind of HP would this push in an fbody? I don't think it would be that much. I mean a 305 is a weaker motor than a 350. Shouldn't a 265 be less than a 305?

The guy claims it is similiar to an LT1. Somehow I doubt it. But Tell me what you think.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

Also, is the auto trans out of a GMC truck ie Jimmy/Blazer different from that of an auto fbody? Can you use the 4L60E out of an Fbody with a 4.3L without destroying the trans?

If what this guy claims is correct why haven't I heard of many people doing this swap?

[dsgrntld187]

The 4.3L is just a 350 with two less cylinders. I'm 99% sure that if the trans can hold a LT1 or even a 3800 power, it can hold the 4.3L power.

Oh, and reasons you probably don't hear of the swap is stock a 4.3L Vortec (newer style) only has 190 hp, 250 ft lbs torque, although I do know of people who have built 300+ hp 4.3s.

[ROUDA]

The 4.3 needs a v8 trans I think the bell housing is not the same. you would be better off with the v8 swap.

[93formulalt1]

First off, the 4.3 in the blazer I have is a Vortec V6, and that is the 4.3 V8 used in the older body style Caprices and cadillacs, I didn't even know they existed until I ran a search on them. The 4.3 I have is a pretty potent motor, but nowhere near the output of my LT1. I'm going to do the LT1 swap eventually.

[new_f-bodyist]

I just found this out myself but did you guys know that gm made the LT1 in two other motor sizes. Also the 305's(5.0) was actually underrated for HP, its actually faster than you think, although its still a crappy motor that blows heads very easily.

[dsgrntld187]

I wasn't even paying attention to the 4.3L V8 part. I had a 4.3L V8 once, never drove it though.

What year is your Blazer, Nick?

[93formulalt1]

I wasn't even paying attention to the 4.3L V8 part. I had a 4.3L V8 once, never drove it though.

What year is your Blazer, Nick?

96. It's wrecked, but still driveable. Drove it until I got the Camaro, still use it for grunt work, hauling crap. Runs great, 4X4 quit working, but it still does some smoky 1 wheel burnouts. . . lol Heres a pic. . .
Before:

After the accident (hood is primer gray now, too):

Sorry about the huge pics, PhotoBucket didn't shrink them this time. . .

[phoenix_rising]

I guess I would feel a little weird buying truck parts for my sports car! LOL!

[Orange Terror]

I would get numbers off of the motor and ask for more pics before I bought that #1. #2, If you are going to spend all the money for a swap why go with a small motor, cost you about the same for a LT1 or LS1.

The 4.3L V6 like in Nick's blazer is just a 350 missing 2 cylinders. The bore (4") and stroke (3.48") are the same as the 350. So it also shares some other parts, it will bolt up to any small block chevy V8 trans and or bellhousing. Now, the tranny in a blazer like Nick's is attached to a transfer case and is different than a standard trans like in our fbody's. The tail housing and shaft are different I believe. It wouldn't be worth the time.

[phoenix_rising]

Okay I can deal with that! If anyone else has any questions about this subject feel free to post them here...

An LT1 swap it is for me!

[96mikez28]

not worth the hassle for a 4.3, keep lookin for an 8