Learn me 4.3 V8s

I'm looking for a V8 Enduro car to run next year. The vast majority of guys run something with a carburated Chev 350 in it. Mostly Monte Carlos, a few Camaros, and some Caprices.

So while looking for something cheap, I found an ex-police car. Its a 1995 Caprice for $400. It has everything I want, heavy duty suspension, including a posi rear end, and it is fuel injected. (I'm more comfortable playing with FI, than a carb) Except it isn't the 5.7 LT1 engine. It has the 4.3 L99.

At first I didn't consider it because I wanted a 350 like everyone else. But a little research has me thinking maybe the 4.3 isn't so bad. It has multi port injection, 200 hp, and 235 ft/lbs torque. The LT1 350 in a Caprice has 360hp/330ft-lbs. But a "regular" 350 in a Caprice is 205hp/300ft-lbs

Since nobody is running the LT1, I figure at best I'm only out by 5 hp. (based solely on stock specifications) But will the difference in torque make a huge difference?

Is there cheap, easy ways to perk up a 4.3?

Or should I just run away and keep looking?

Horsepower sells cars but torque wins races.

You're looking for a race car, yeah?

David

i'd love to find a deal like that- i want to find an L99 to use for parts (crank, rods) to make a high winding 302 out of the LT1 i've got out in the garage.

the earlier (90-93)TBI 350 was only like 205HP in the civilian version, with slightly more power in the cop cars. i think they were 215 due to better heads and a bigger cam.

every LT1 Caprice had 260HP. there was no "special" engine for the police cars. same with the L99 cars- every one was rated at 200hp.

and don't let any of the "experts" tell you that they never made a 4.3 V8- 99% of the experts out there will think you are crazy for thinking you have a V6..

they made a 4.3 v8? thats awesome.

I have dreams of having Scat build me a 4.3L style crank for a 400 block.

I didn't think the 4.3L V8 ever came in the cop cars, I could be wrong though. Did you check the option code sticker and confirm is was in fact a real cop car?

89-93 TBI's ranged from 195 (89-90) to 205hp (91-93). Cop cars got the same engine. No more power, but they DID get WOT TC lockup, and A/c cut-off. Torque was around 290 IIRC.

94-96 Caprice 9C1's could be had in both L99 and LT1 versions. quickest way to discern the difference is the exhaust. L99 has single exhaust, LT1 has dual.

4.3L is a small bore engine, has issues with the valves being shrouded by the block. It's a durable little engine, just doesn't make much powwer and doesn't have much potential to make more.

I knew Caprices could be had with 4.3L engines but I too always thought it was the 4.3L V6 as put in the Astro/S10.

At first I didn't consider it because I wanted a 350 like everyone else. But a little research has me thinking maybe the 4.3 isn't so bad. It has multi port injection, 200 hp, and 235 ft/lbs torque.

Wikipedia sayz:

1992 introduced a new version of the 4.3L, the L35. This version of the 4.3L was equipped with CPI (Central Port Fuel Injection). This system had one centrally located fuel injector distribute fuel to six hoses each with a poppet valve to each of the intake ports. This system allowed for a multi-point injection, using one injector. The fuel injection was a batch fire system and used a two piece cast aluminum dual-plenum manifold. This engine was available in S-10 Blazers/Pickups and S15-Jimmys and Astro and Safari vans only. The L35 was rated at 200 hp (150 kW) and 260 ft·lb (350 N·m) of torque.

So why not go with a 4.3L V6?

CPI is kind of junk and the V6 is a paint shaker. I'd much rather have the baby LT1 as long as it fits in the hypothetical vehicle.

I also believe the 4.3 V8 is a source for 6" rods, although I don't know how 'good' those rods are.

In reply to Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho:

So John Brown just wasn't good enough for you any more, huh?

Sounds like a great recipe for a turd motor.

The 4.3 replaced the 5 liter in Caprices in 1994, tho I don't understand why. They have / had the same EPA rating as the 5 liter and are somewhat the same size on the outside, should weigh about the same....but what is really strange? My reference book says the V6 and V8 4.3 both were rated at 200 horsepower in 1994.

^ That's mostly correct. "Z" VIN 4.3 V6's were 200hp. "Z" VIN 4.3LV6 were 150hp. One was the "interesting"(1) CPI, the other the tried and true TBI.

I knew some retirees that had both the 5.0 and 4.3 civilian caprices and they all swore to see 30-31mpg on the highway.

(1) polite way of saying crappy.

the 4.3 V8 has a tiny little 3" stroke, 5.94" rods (compared to the 5.7" rods in every other small block ever built besides the 400), and the same bore as a 305.

the main reason for going for the V8 in that size compared to a V6 in that size is that it will be a smoother running engine with more torque and a wider power band.

jstein77 wrote: In reply to Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho: So John Brown just wasn't good enough for you any more, huh?

It works GREAT for me but my boss reads the forum and I would prefer he work for it to figure out if I am jacking around.

Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho wrote: It works GREAT for me but my boss reads the forum and I would prefer he work for it to figure out if I am jacking around.

I think that needs to go in the magazine if its ok with you. Maybe even if its not LMFAO

Oh and canoe just so they do see this. I know I'm still eVil. muhahahhaha.

~Alex

In reply to novaderrik:

Sounds like it should be a revver if breathed on right, eh? EH?