Engine Swap Everything about swapping an engine into your Third Gen.....be it V6, V8, LTX/LSX, crate engine, etc. Pictures, questions, answers, and work logs.

4.3vortec and a 3.1 swap

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-08-2003, 12:48 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
wi91rsconv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Madison, WI area
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 91 rs convertible
Engine: 3.1
4.3vortec and a 3.1 swap

I have a 92S10Blazer with a 4.3vortec. she runs pretty darn tip-top shape. Anyway, i have a 3.1 litre in my camaro. I have been thinking about a swap between the two. my blazer is a 2 wheel drive 2door. If you guys have any info on anything, plz help! I can't decide if i want to do it or not, or if it'd be even worth it. I also had a problem with the computers in both....if it would make a difference if i swapped them! If you have any technical responses, u can email me, bucho_34@yahoo.com
Old 11-08-2003, 07:15 PM
  #2  
Supreme Member

 
Project: 85 2.8 bird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: BFE, MD
Posts: 4,461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 13 Ram 1500/ 78 Formy
Engine: 5.7 / 7.4
Transmission: 6sp / TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.55 posi / 3.23
no e-mail, you 're just gonna have to frequent the board for answers :nono:

p.s. welcome to the boards

1. The 4.3 is a better choice for the Blazer. ALready makes more power for the heavier vehicle. There are even some ATI/Vortec kits for TBI 4.3 engines (suks if you have CPI like mine)

2. IF you're looking for more power in the camaro, peruse the V6 forum on this site. Lots of info you can use to make both vehicles run even better.
Old 11-09-2003, 07:33 AM
  #3  
ede
TGO Supporter

 
ede's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Jackson County
Posts: 14,811
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
you'd need a v8 trans for the 4.3 and to relocate the motor mounts among other things
Old 11-09-2003, 11:42 AM
  #4  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
wi91rsconv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Madison, WI area
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 91 rs convertible
Engine: 3.1
so gimme a scale of difficulty here on 1 to 10...1 being ez, 10 being difficult
Old 11-10-2003, 05:40 AM
  #5  
ede
TGO Supporter

 
ede's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Jackson County
Posts: 14,811
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
rate you skill level and the tools and equipment you have to work with that's what makes the differance
Old 11-10-2003, 01:07 PM
  #6  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (35)
 
wesilva's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 1966 El Camino Custom
Engine: 350
Transmission: 200R4
Axle/Gears: 3:73 12 bolt with Brute Strength
The 4.3 is basically a 350 with front two cylinders removed. I did this swap because I had a nice 4.3 from another project on the engine stand and my V8 rebuild was going to take lots of time and money to complete. I didn't want to stop driving the car so I swapped in the 4.3.
You will need to locate V8 frame mounts from a junk yard, buy them new from any parts supply or poly ones from the aftermarket.
First you need to locate the correct Gen 3 compatable V8 transmission you want to use (700R4, T5, T56). Mount that in first with the driveshaft and your torque arm properly installed. This will dictate your reference point to relocate the V6 mounts. The 4.3 mount spacing on the block is the same as a V8 as far as width is concerned but in a different location farther back from the V8's. You have two choices. Move the motor mount location forward on the block by making an adapter plate (this is what I did) or moving the frame mounts back and redrilling the crossmember for the new location. Your 3.1 location is, I'm assuming, very close to where the 4.3 needs to be. I say "I assume" because there is a set of holes already drilled on my IROC that are located farther back that must be for a 3.1. Since you have a 3.1, you will see some holes on the crossmember farther forward on your's for a V8 mount.

Your next hurdle will be exhaust but take it in to any muffler shop and they can either hook you up to your existing 3.1 exhaust or go aftermarket for more performance.

If you can, ditch the computers on both and go carb. Edelbrock sells a manifold for your motor as well as a carb. Carbs can also be had by Holley. I went with Vortec heads from a 96 or newer 4.3. Edelbrock has a manifold for those heads too. I used GMC Safari factory headers to my honkin' 3" exhaust and a stiffer cam. The set-up ran pretty damn good. If I caught a stock 305 or 5.0 napping, with my 4:10 rear end, all they ever saw was the taillights. Of course, those occasions were rare because of the IROC tags. Everyone assumed I was running a V8.

Last edited by wesilva; 11-10-2003 at 04:15 PM.
Old 11-10-2003, 03:36 PM
  #7  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
wi91rsconv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Madison, WI area
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 91 rs convertible
Engine: 3.1
thanks alot man, maybe that'll gimme something to do over the winter time, since i'm not gonna be driving here in Wisconsin! Possible to gimme a price range on dual, 3" exhaust? Medium performance, don't wanna go overboard due to it being a convertible
Old 11-10-2003, 04:22 PM
  #8  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (35)
 
wesilva's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 1966 El Camino Custom
Engine: 350
Transmission: 200R4
Axle/Gears: 3:73 12 bolt with Brute Strength
Mine is a Flowmaster Force II with a single converter cat-back for $229 through Summit. I'm using a Flowmaster Y-collector ($38) behind the cat and custom tubing to the Y. It isn't cheap but the cool thing is it can be used for the 3.1 or the 4.3 or a V8. So it's an investment that will keep working for you.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
theshackle
Tech / General Engine
2
08-22-2015 06:52 PM
Hello, Michael
Engine Swap
8
08-20-2015 03:19 PM
355sbcTPI
Electronics
2
08-19-2015 04:38 PM
the_nikfive
DIY PROM
2
08-11-2015 02:46 AM
guy76767
Tech / General Engine
1
08-06-2015 05:58 PM



Quick Reply: 4.3vortec and a 3.1 swap



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:09 PM.