4.3 vortec swap
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Several years ago I saw a Canadian C3 with a 4-53 Detroit Diesel in it. For those of you who don't know much about Detroit Diesels a 4-53 is a 4-cylinder 53 cubic inch per cylinder two cycle diesel engine with a roots blower mounted on the side. As it's a two cycle diesel it requires the blower to feed air into the engine.
They convert perfectly good diesel fuel into noise and very little power!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
Roadkill got 387 HP and 430 ft. lbs. at the wheels with a 4.3 ( 5speed) and a turbo from a Ford powerstroke:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...9qEbM4GtNg5lnw
You don't have to do it as dirt nasty as them though. You can have some class.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...9qEbM4GtNg5lnw
You don't have to do it as dirt nasty as them though. You can have some class.
Last edited by SH-60B; Mar 15, 2016 at 06:48 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 183
From: Port St. Lucie Fl
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
L88Plus, I totally missed your post. I knew a lot about the 3800's potential cause of my cousin who wont shut up about them lol... I never knew the 4.3 was a weak design though. I honestly just assumed gm took the same architecture and bumped the cubes up. Since that's not the case it has me very inclined to say a 3800 swap is my new direction. Also, the whole v6 being the losers motor is something I very well understand considering my daily is a 2011 5.0 mustang. Even though I should hate on v6's all day long, things change for me when I see a boosted v6 because I appreciate the idea of being different or just working with what you've got. Anyways, back to the meat and potatoes. Just to clarify: the 4.3 is a weak design and not worth the effort to boost or swap? If that's the case I already know enough about 3800's to maybe go that route.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
So, feel free to flame or roast... but don't try to actually argue against the idea, cause I won't listen. I was recently talking to a friend about junkyard swapping a fuel injected motor into a truck he has sitting in his backyard. We got to talking and thought the 4.3 might be a good match for fuel economy and cheapness. Then that got me thinking of the old Gmc hurricanes/typhoons and their 4.3 turbo powertrain. And then it hit me... why not do something different and off the wall and 4.3 swap and turbo my 81. It's not like the 1981 is super collectible or rare and lets be honest, no one really loves them. In fact next to a c4 crossfire they're the lowest on the totem pole. Which leaves a perfect excuse to experiment. So, with that reasoning, here's my questions: do the motor mounts have to be moved back or can I use my own. Am I correct in believing that the th350 will bolt up? Or will I need a v6 specific transmission? and what about power steering, ac, and coolant lines? I'll probably convert to electric fans to make more room for a snail or two so that's taken care of. Anything else I might be forgetting to address? If this or something similar has been done please do turn me in the right direction.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
L88Plus, I totally missed your post. I knew a lot about the 3800's potential cause of my cousin who wont shut up about them lol... I never knew the 4.3 was a weak design though. I honestly just assumed gm took the same architecture and bumped the cubes up. Since that's not the case it has me very inclined to say a 3800 swap is my new direction. Also, the whole v6 being the losers motor is something I very well understand considering my daily is a 2011 5.0 mustang. Even though I should hate on v6's all day long, things change for me when I see a boosted v6 because I appreciate the idea of being different or just working with what you've got. Anyways, back to the meat and potatoes. Just to clarify: the 4.3 is a weak design and not worth the effort to boost or swap? If that's the case I already know enough about 3800's to maybe go that route.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 249
Likes: 32
From: Cypress TX
If the 4.3L is low enough compression ratio, the turbo doesn't really stress things too much if the pistons can handle the heat. I love the idea. Turbos (if you charge cool) are the best of all worlds.
But ditch the factory ECU and read up on Megasquirt. You can put in bigger injectors and hook all of the factory sensors to it and for under $400 you have something that can run from 5 hp to 5000 hp.
But ditch the factory ECU and read up on Megasquirt. You can put in bigger injectors and hook all of the factory sensors to it and for under $400 you have something that can run from 5 hp to 5000 hp.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
I drove an '07 shortwide for a little while and was disappointed when I looked closely at the engine and found it still had paired exhausts and intakes on the 4.3. I bought a '97 Riviera that had bad intake manifold gaskets, that's when I learned about them. They are hell for stout, baby LS's as I said. Since Camaros came with 'em, it shouldn't be too much trouble to make one work. You'll need to start with a supercharged engine or plan to buy rods for one, they're a lot beefier than the N/A pieces. In addition, you can't just drop a supercharger on an N/A engine, the heads are different. On an N/A engine, the injectors are in the intake but they're actually in the heads on a supercharged engine.
Here's a link that provides a good bit of info:
http://camaroforums.com/forum/93-02-...nt-info-57568/
If I was gonna build a V6, that's for sure the one I would use. One other thing, the later model 3800's have a different supercharger capable of more boost. If you get one and decide to port the intake, do a lot of research on it, there are a few areas that look like porting would help when in fact it hurts it.
I personally wouldn't drop one in a 'vette, but they'd be a blast in a 2nd gen Mazda RX7 if you can find one with a blown rotary engine. That's another mill that makes incredible power under boost.
Here's a link that provides a good bit of info:
http://camaroforums.com/forum/93-02-...nt-info-57568/
If I was gonna build a V6, that's for sure the one I would use. One other thing, the later model 3800's have a different supercharger capable of more boost. If you get one and decide to port the intake, do a lot of research on it, there are a few areas that look like porting would help when in fact it hurts it.
I personally wouldn't drop one in a 'vette, but they'd be a blast in a 2nd gen Mazda RX7 if you can find one with a blown rotary engine. That's another mill that makes incredible power under boost.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 249
Likes: 32
From: Cypress TX
The 3.8 and 4.3 are totally different animals, right? The 4.3 would give you more than 10% more displacement, and I would think the truck engine (4.3) would be a bit tougher and able to take more abuse, and the bellhousing and maybe the motor mounts would be an easier switch. If you're building it rather than just cleaning up a JY mill, shoot for 8.5 :1 or so and stock cam. You'll have a nice idle and possibly 500 HP with stock internals otherwise.
Read this...
Edit... only downside, V6 exhaust note. But the turbo whistle and blow off valve can make up for that.
But if you're talking about the 3.8 Buick GN motor, expect to lay down some cash. But the 4.3 vortec truck motor is $400 each for a good running one. If you blow it up, who cares. There's 300 more in the junk yard for $400 each.
Read this...
Edit... only downside, V6 exhaust note. But the turbo whistle and blow off valve can make up for that.
But if you're talking about the 3.8 Buick GN motor, expect to lay down some cash. But the 4.3 vortec truck motor is $400 each for a good running one. If you blow it up, who cares. There's 300 more in the junk yard for $400 each.
Last edited by Luce; Mar 17, 2016 at 09:31 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,910
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Love the idea of a turbo 4.3! I kicked around doing that same thing several years ago for my '69. I loved the power of the bigblock, but not the weight of that engine when doing road course track days. (I eventually just built a ZL1 for the car, as I could reuse a bunch of the BB parts I already had laying around.) I did put a turbo 355 in my '84, and as anyone with a turbo will tell you, boost is addictive!
Respectfully, I'm not a big fan of the auto trans choice, but I think you could make a good handling machine with that 4.3, as it's a bit lighter and with a more rearward center of gravity.
Post pictures if you go ahead with this project.
Respectfully, I'm not a big fan of the auto trans choice, but I think you could make a good handling machine with that 4.3, as it's a bit lighter and with a more rearward center of gravity.
Post pictures if you go ahead with this project.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 249
Likes: 32
From: Cypress TX
I had a '04 SL600 with the twin turbo V12 that was tuned to 750 ft/lbs 750 HP. Had a torque curve that looked like Abe Lincolns top hat from 1800 RPM to 5500 RPM. Pulled like a train without downshifting. The right pedal was like a variable magnet that pulled your head into the head rest...when it wasn't in the "Werkshop"
Yes, boost is addictive. My methadone was 550 HP 2600 lb Cobra, but I would like another turbo someday.
Yes, boost is addictive. My methadone was 550 HP 2600 lb Cobra, but I would like another turbo someday.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 557
From: Seattle Washington
I'm a little surprised that no body has chimed in on this conversion having all ready been done. I'm sure it was, but probably a wile back when the 4.3 was in its debut. There are a lot of people who walk into a dealership to buy a new car and say we want the V6 cause everybody knows they get better gas mileage than a V8. Never mind the Cubic Inch's or any other criteria. To me the biggest problem with a V6 in a Vette is the Sound. No matter what is done to it its just not going to sound right. I recently herd a Nissan GTR Twin Turbo Supercar that had the Fart Can Mufflers installed get on it as I was walking down the sidewalk. I hope I never have to hear a sound like that again. Its just wrong, way wrong. There are many modern small CI V8's to choose from. GM has researched putting a Turbo V6 in the Corvette for the last 40 Years. Every time they have they have given up figuring nobody would buy it. Toyoda and Nissan have been trying to take a cut out of the American Made Truck market for decades. Not until recently that they finally gave up on selling a V6 and reluctantly had to design a V8 that would only be used in Trucks have they started to gain some ground.