maybe a v-8 swap need some info - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ozzie50 · 08-01-2009, 07:23 PM

I have a 1991 s-10. I am really thinking about going with a 350 and going with a carb. My question is what can I use of my 4.3 liter. I would like to keep the 1 belt. And kept the accessories where they are. Can I do this? What year engine would I need? Any info would be great.

BarryB · 08-01-2009, 11:15 PM

Well if you have a 4.3 in your truck then your pretty much in luck everything will swap over to a V8. Heck if you wanted to, you can use your existing wire harness, diconnect all the TBI stuff. and get a91 TBI V8, swap it in, and it will plug up. you would however need to get the prom from the v8 computer. or just swap in the whole computer.
This is what I plan on doing with mine. Mine is a 2.8 TBI 5 spd. But I found a 4.3 5spd I gunna get to swap in. so I'll have a v8 TBI 5spd S10. And when I do it, I'm using all factory stuff, camaro manifolds. so when you pop the hood it will look like GM put it together.

ozzie50 · 08-02-2009, 01:52 PM

Is there a certain year of block and heads to look for to make sure I got all the correct bolt holes for the pulley set up?

Low&Slow83 · 08-02-2009, 02:28 PM

pretty much all GEN1 small blocks have the same serpentine holes for the bracket you have. even the V-belt engines have the same holes.

BarryB · 08-02-2009, 08:50 PM

Yeap what he said as long as the heads have accessory holes, the serpentine belt system will work. BUT you'll need to make sure you get the correct water pump. the serpentine ones spin back wards compared to the older water pumps.

ozzie50 · 08-03-2009, 12:49 AM

Will a/c parts be the same?

BarryB · 08-06-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzie50

Will a/c parts be the same?

Yeap!

Jonce · 08-06-2009, 09:24 PM

I think you should go with a LSx engine instead

chevyndn · 09-01-2009, 07:45 PM

make sure if you go tbi you use the right year of heads, cuz the four bolts in the middle are diiferent on older carb heads than on tbi, the older ones all angle, the 88-95 go stright up. you can use either heads if you woller out these four hole of the intake

Damien · 09-03-2009, 11:27 AM

You can also get spacers that go under the bolts that correct the angle problem. Perfessional Products intakes come with them I think.

The Big Green · 09-03-2009, 06:50 PM

I just did a V8 swap in my '91. Not a swap that the average guy would do, but at 600hp all engine, I guess it was worth all the hours.

Post pics when you do this swap.

5.7L JWL · 09-05-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonce

I think you should go with a LSx engine instead

Man that is a TRUE sleeper there. Maybe not so much after you crank it up, but just sitting there it is.

Jay

bigbadjohn84 · 10-23-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonce

I think you should go with a LSx engine instead

ohhhh stop... now your just showing off. I love that little truck. want a HHR? lol

streetstar · 11-12-2009, 02:45 PM

Are you trying to build something wild and nasty (like a couple of the guys above described-- 600 hp - sheesh) or just a mild cruiser?

Have you thought about rebuilding the 4.3 ? It will do everything a mild V-8 will do. But rebuild costs may be a bit more than a 350, IDK. Unless you have a small block just sitting around ready to go, its tough to beat a strong running 4.3 in these small trucks
(that is of course unless you are planning to do something wild, like the 600 hp truck or that LS truck, which is very cool)

Damien · 11-13-2009, 11:24 AM

[/QUOTE] Have you thought about rebuilding the 4.3 ? It will do everything a mild V-8 will do. But rebuild costs may be a bit more than a 350, IDK. Unless you have a small block just sitting around ready to go, its tough to beat a strong running 4.3 in these small trucks
(that is of course unless you are planning to do something wild, like the 600 hp truck or that LS truck, which is very cool)[/QUOTE]

Building a 4.3 will cost a little more then a 350. The cam and intakes are more expensive. You will save a little weight over an iron headed 350, but if you have A/C it probably doesn't matter. The packaging is going to be easier with the 4.3 though.

towb3 · 11-30-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevyndn

make sure if you go tbi you use the right year of heads, cuz the four bolts in the middle are diiferent on older carb heads than on tbi, the older ones all angle, the 88-95 go stright up. you can use either heads if you woller out these four hole of the intake

If he is to order a new intake when he builds, they have intakes that can match up to what heads he is using instead of grinding up an intake.

08-01-2009, 07:23 PM	#1
ozzie50 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: tulsa Posts: 89	maybe a v-8 swap need some info I have a 1991 s-10. I am really thinking about going with a 350 and going with a carb. My question is what can I use of my 4.3 liter. I would like to keep the 1 belt. And kept the accessories where they are. Can I do this? What year engine would I need? Any info would be great.

08-01-2009, 11:15 PM	#2
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: maybe a v-8 swap need some info Well if you have a 4.3 in your truck then your pretty much in luck everything will swap over to a V8. Heck if you wanted to, you can use your existing wire harness, diconnect all the TBI stuff. and get a91 TBI V8, swap it in, and it will plug up. you would however need to get the prom from the v8 computer. or just swap in the whole computer. This is what I plan on doing with mine. Mine is a 2.8 TBI 5 spd. But I found a 4.3 5spd I gunna get to swap in. so I'll have a v8 TBI 5spd S10. And when I do it, I'm using all factory stuff, camaro manifolds. so when you pop the hood it will look like GM put it together. __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff!

08-02-2009, 01:52 PM	#3
ozzie50 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: tulsa Posts: 89	Re: maybe a v-8 swap need some info Is there a certain year of block and heads to look for to make sure I got all the correct bolt holes for the pulley set up?

08-02-2009, 02:28 PM	#4
Low&Slow83 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 109	Re: maybe a v-8 swap need some info pretty much all GEN1 small blocks have the same serpentine holes for the bracket you have. even the V-belt engines have the same holes. __________________ 1983 Chevrolet C10 - 1st car/ Daily Driver / Project 1995 Nissan 240SX - SOLD

08-02-2009, 08:50 PM	#5
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: maybe a v-8 swap need some info Yeap what he said as long as the heads have accessory holes, the serpentine belt system will work. *BUT* you'll need to make sure you get the correct water pump. the serpentine ones spin back wards compared to the older water pumps. __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff! Last edited by BarryB; 08-02-2009 at 08:51 PM.

08-03-2009, 12:49 AM	#6
ozzie50 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: tulsa Posts: 89	Re: maybe a v-8 swap need some info Will a/c parts be the same?

08-06-2009, 09:24 PM	#8
Jonce Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 115	Re: maybe a v-8 swap need some info I think you should go with a LSx engine instead __________________ __________________________________ 1971 GMC Stepside 350HO Deluxe 330hp, TH350 w/Gear Vendors, 3.73 Eaton posi, Fitech EFI, Boyd's Welding Tank, Ridler wheels, ECE 4/6" drop, front/rear sway bar ________________________________

09-01-2009, 07:45 PM	#9
chevyndn Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: independence mo. Posts: 176	Re: maybe a v-8 swap need some info make sure if you go tbi you use the right year of heads, cuz the four bolts in the middle are diiferent on older carb heads than on tbi, the older ones all angle, the 88-95 go stright up. you can use either heads if you woller out these four hole of the intake

09-03-2009, 11:27 AM	#10
Damien Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Farmington, MN Posts: 928	Re: maybe a v-8 swap need some info You can also get spacers that go under the bolts that correct the angle problem. Perfessional Products intakes come with them I think. __________________ I can still count my vehicles on two... wait three hands.

09-03-2009, 06:50 PM	#11
The Big Green Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fort Smith,AR Posts: 1,305	Re: maybe a v-8 swap need some info I just did a V8 swap in my '91. Not a swap that the average guy would do, but at 600hp all engine, I guess it was worth all the hours. Post pics when you do this swap.

11-12-2009, 02:45 PM	#14
streetstar Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Moore, Oklahoma Posts: 2,396	Re: maybe a v-8 swap need some info Are you trying to build something wild and nasty (like a couple of the guys above described-- 600 hp - sheesh) or just a mild cruiser? Have you thought about rebuilding the 4.3 ? It will do everything a mild V-8 will do. But rebuild costs may be a bit more than a 350, IDK. Unless you have a small block just sitting around ready to go, its tough to beat a strong running 4.3 in these small trucks (that is of course unless you are planning to do something wild, like the 600 hp truck or that LS truck, which is very cool) __________________ Are you retired too? Nonsense! I'm in my prime

11-13-2009, 11:24 AM	#15
Damien Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Farmington, MN Posts: 928	Re: maybe a v-8 swap need some info [/QUOTE] Have you thought about rebuilding the 4.3 ? It will do everything a mild V-8 will do. But rebuild costs may be a bit more than a 350, IDK. Unless you have a small block just sitting around ready to go, its tough to beat a strong running 4.3 in these small trucks (that is of course unless you are planning to do something wild, like the 600 hp truck or that LS truck, which is very cool)[/QUOTE] Building a 4.3 will cost a little more then a 350. The cam and intakes are more expensive. You will save a little weight over an iron headed 350, but if you have A/C it probably doesn't matter. The packaging is going to be easier with the 4.3 though. __________________ I can still count my vehicles on two... wait three hands.



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