Vortech V-6 engine install ?

[chopnchaneled]

I call my self doing a search and nothing comes up.

What i would like to know, has any one installed a 4.3 vortech with a 700r4 trans in our size trucks, stepside c 10?

How do they like it? Is gas milage worth it? any input?

Thanks

[Andriod8]

Hardest part could be transfering the electronics.

[GCncsuHD]

If you are doing it purely for the fuel mileage, you will probably be disappointed. Really there is not much of a cost benefit, SBCs are so plentiful they are a dime a dozen, 4.3s and 5.7s go for about the same price, and require the same amount of work to swap, so initial input would be about the same with either. As far as fuel mileage, if you go by EPA's ratings, in 1998, a C1500 4.3 was rated at 14/19 and a C1500 5.7 was rated at 13/17. Only 1mpg better city, and 2 better highway. GM's ratings for the same year were 16/20 for the 4.3 and 14/19 for the 5.7. This time only 2 better city, and 1 better highway.
As for real life? I haven't owned two similarly enough equipped trucks to make a good comparison, but we did have a 95 C1500 4.3 work truck, it was normally loaded down with tools and only got 13-14mpg. In comparison, our 98 K2500 4wd 3/4 ton truck with a heavy steel dump body and a 5.7 got 11-12mpg, and was much "peppier" while hauling that load. Our 88 K1500 4wd with the TBI 5.7 unloaded would do 15-16 around home, with a best of 21mpg on the highway. The 2005 C1500 4.3 I drove to jobsites for work would only do 23mpg on a good day.

Not enough of an improvement when you consider "smiles per gallon" as well...

If I already had a 4.3 lying around I would consider it, but if I had the option of sourcing a 4.3 or a 5.7/350 I would go for the v8 for sure.

[terry b]

I know they will tow up to 3500 pounds in a S-10 so they may move a C-10 ok.

[hugger6933]

I am gonna talk about going the other way for a moment and then lwts compare. If indeed you are doing this for a gas mileage standpiont I built a S-10 extra cab 2 wheel drive 3:42 posi track rear and 215 70 15 tires . When that truck was a 4.3 is was doing good to get around 19 mpg and then I put in a 5.7 TBI injection and the mileage went to 19.8 on the interstate with the air on cause I checked it on a trip to Little rock to have a nrew chip burned. Afterwards on the return trip and the new chip was in it did 25.4 MPG's and would repeat it anytime I would hit the interstate. Around town and back and forth to the shop driving out on the hiway when you could keep you foot out of it and that is really hard on a v-8 s truck cause they are just fun to drive. That truck would get almost 20 in combined driving anytime it was checked. Why did it do that? it was not loaded at all . It was just lopeing along, it never was searching for gears or straining to pass it just went. Now with the 4.3 it allways strained to do everything it did and when a 2.8 or worse yet a 2.5 wasput in the mix the truck stuggled just to move into traffic without getting hit. Now if you flip it backwards again that is simalar to what it will be like to put one in your truck. Now I sell a lot of the 4.3 full sized trucks and they are well liked by most that buy them. the motors are great, one of the best GM has built, just a little underpowered for your application. Jim

[Palf70Step]

I have a 4.3 in my 70, but I have T350 behind it and it is a 4bbl carb. You can see my swap in my build

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...221437&page=11

As mentioned, there is not much, if any reason to do the swap for fuel economy. You would get better results and MPG by going with a 4.8/5.3 V8, than the V6.

I do like the 4.3 and did mine to be different. My DD is a 4.3 and I am veryy happy with it, but MPG is no better than my V8 was.

[eldogg]

I did one in a Luv but it has a 5 speed and a 4:56 rear. I agree with above do a 5.7 or an LS it's the same work and same mileage.
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[chopnchaneled]

Thanks guys, a lot of GOOD info posted.

With gas soon to be 4.00 + a gallon, just wondered, guess i'll just get to drive mind a little less often