what about the 4.3 GM V-6????

[fiero308]

hi all
in my never-ending review of motor options it finally occurred to me that the gm 4.3 v6 never gets mentioned.... anybody know why?  It is a sawed-off 350 V8 and uses many many of the same parts; I expect it can be made to work as hard too.
If the V8 can bolt up, then why not this?
Maybe a question for V8 Archie .......... or NICK!  Where are you??
any comments or experience with this anyone?
thanks again!
 

[FieroBUZZ]

Oh, for God's sake, pick a motor and stick it in  

The 4.3 needs an adapter a la SBC.  The general theory is that if you need to do that, why use the 6.  There are a few around.  One guy on PFF (vortecfiero?) has a nice one.  Lots of oomph with a turbo.  Not a bad engine, it does move the Blazer pretty well.

[fiero308]

i can just hear the tone of your voice there too.  Yeah yeah I know..
but I love planning and I only want to do this ONCE. The 4.3 would open up virtually ANY small block chev performance part to me which is a rather broad array and option. I really do not know how well it would rev and I would like to make a good one. The comp cams guy said to get a 'non-balance shaft' one; 87 to 91 incl. (is that carbed? TBI? don't know....)

I will see if I can find that guy on PFF - thx for the tip - to check this out a little more. I do NOT like the gas mileage, however. It is just in the past few days that I have been told there were some probs with the 3.4 camaro motor; and that is supposedly why they discontinued it........
Also the 4.3 is a 90 degree and the 3.4 is a 60. What is your 3800? it is a 90 as well, isn't it?
Gotta check out the ignition and FI system etc.  In the meantime I will be quite thoroughly occupied with the suspension peculiarities..........
 

[FieroBUZZ]

He is here http://www.cardomain.com/id/vortecfiero

Seems he lives in T.O.  

Yes the mileage sucks.  If you want mileage I think the 3800 is the better motor.  It's 90 degrees as well.

I think the GMC Syclone runs a 4.3, that would be the donor of choice.

[fiero308]

yeah I found him and checked it all out. Thanks, Gary.  Believe it or not gas mileage is a big factor in my choice; more for range and hassle than the actual cost. So I think I will stick with the 3.4 turbo idea.
I read a pretty inspiring write up by a 4.9 transplanter who described his driving experience with that engine and power (the 275hp version) and it generally is that you need to be very, very careful with the thin pedal when the engine is above 1000 rpm's.  That is fine and there would be limits anyway to how undriveable I would want a car to be.  too much and you would never get to the grocery store!   What a problem that would be....
So I will stick with the 3.4 and I have a choice of two turbos if I want to play with performance.
Something I wanted to do - can you measure your 3800 exh port diameter (oh - is it round or D shaped?) and let me know?  I am probably going to get that tube bender before long and have to finally decide on some die sizes.  I am thinking 1-3/8 or maybe 1-1/2 for primary tubes. Do you have the exh manifold or header sizes?  I forget already. Bad, eh?
thx!  

PS - I have your bushings back now. When do you want them?
gp