Who knows about 4.3L GM performance?

Anyone have any write-ups or info on building up a 4.3? Also, what manual trannys would be a good mate for a HO 4.3?

-Les

Any trans that fits a SBC will bolt up to a 4.3. That's all I know, good night.

I personally don't but I know my uncle had built one for his brothers stock car back when there was still a track around here. He has always sworn by them, I think he said the pistons and rods are the same as a 350.

Yes, it is 3/4 of a 350.

look up GMC Cyclone

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMC_Syclone

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMC_Syclone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkglxJH6jGE

Here is one with twin turbos on a dyno pulling 1200 hp

Les - FYI, I have 4.3 Vortec (the good one - 200 / 265) that I'm going to be ditching at some point in favor of a SBC. I'm a little hesitant to do so, but I need more V8 in my life. Anyway, depending on your time frame, might have your motor, and locally.

4.3L engine builds..

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/113_0208_chevy_43l_262ci_v6_engine_build/index.html

http://www.speedtalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13471&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0&sid=223104fc4a05f8f85c13732685ddffee

http://www.hotrod.com/pitstop/hrdp_0705_pitstop_chevrolet_v6_performance/index.html

We had a 200hp factory version in our 1994 S10 Blazer and that thing rocked. I still feel it excelerated faster than the 265hp ?? Trailblazer we now own.

Must be the extra 2000 pounds on the Tblazer.

fastasleep wrote: Anyone have any write-ups or info on building up a 4.3? Also, what manual trannys would be a good mate for a HO 4.3? -Les

iirc, the late 90's gmc sonoma and s10 "xTreme" were available with the 200hp 4.3 and three pedals. might be a good start

cwh wrote: Any trans that fits a SBC will bolt up to a 4.3. That's all I know, good night.

I'll be damned.

DILYSI Dave wrote: Les - FYI, I have 4.3 Vortec (the good one - 200 / 265) that I'm going to be ditching at some point in favor of a SBC. I'm a little hesitant to do so, but I need more V8 in my life. Anyway, depending on your time frame, might have your motor, and locally.

Great! Thanks! I am just kicking a couple things around, but if you could see up my sleeves right now!

Thanks for the input, guys. I will look at the links tonight.

-Les

BTW, what is the compression ratio of the 200 hp version?

fastasleep wrote: BTW, what is the compression ratio of the 200 hp version?

Turbo coming?

carguy123 wrote:

fastasleep wrote: BTW, what is the compression ratio of the 200 hp version?

Turbo coming?

Absolutely, but I have heard that these engines don't handle a lot of power (up to 300-ish) before they come apart. I have thought many times about a 4.3-powered something, but up until now I didn't know what.

-Les

Doesn't the Brunton Stalker use a 4.3 as well?

I have a friend who put a turbo on on his GMC Jimmy. Really, I put the turbo on it, but still he sorted out the tuning and stuff. He ran low 12's in the quarter with it, and I think 7.70s in the 1/8, and with him in it, that thing must have weighed a LOT. It was an '02, with the Vortec motor. He never even got into the motor - it was stock. Still had that crappy EFI it came with, though he was able to make it work somehow. The tranny had some upgrades, IIRC.

Xceler8x wrote: Doesn't the Brunton Stalker use a 4.3 as well?

Nope. 3.8

vortec 4.3 from 96-02 is fine
vortec from 92-95 is finicky and not worthy
virtually anything not related to the # of cylinders from an SBC will work on a 4.3.
http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/Parts/catalog.jsp

Hey, I'm new here. I am building a Locost/Lotus 7 type car and have been thinking about the 4.3 also.Hotrod magazine done a tech article about the 4.3 gm engine a few years back. The bore and stroke is the same as a 350 but dont be fooled. The little end in the rod is offset to account for the no. of cylinders and the firing order in crankshaft degrees. I think gm just wants to make people buy parts but a 350 rod wont work with the stock piston because of the clearence to the bore at top dead center. A 4.3 type v6 was used in the Daytona Dash racing series and the heads used were Brodix. You have to use thier intakes with the heads though and they only come in single plane. 49cc chamber too I think...to high CR.. 4 bolt main caps from a 350 can be installed. Use a non-balance shaft block(88 and Back?) . Late vortec heads can be pocket ported and roller rockers from the 350 used. 87 and back used a hei distributor. The casting no on the head I think is 901 for the good one but don't quote me. Contact the Cylinder Head Exchange. They know. Will try to find a link or to to help out....

found a link.....hope it helps....

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/113_0208_chevy_43l_262ci_v6_engine_build/index.html

Ok....found the article, bash the new guy for not reading first and posting but I did it in the interests to help....

http://www.hotrod.com/pitstop/hrdp_0705_pitstop_chevrolet_v6_performance/index.html

We don't bash new guys, and even tolerate moderately bad spelling. You must be used to those other forums.

i will bash you, in the face