4.3 Swap

Hey guys, trying to get a shopping list together for a 4.3l chevy swap in my 87 B2200. I anyone has done this swap please help me out. If I find this swap to be close to the cost of an fe3 swap or BP I will most likely go with it. So far I can't find a mount kit, haven't been able to find a build using this engine, and am figuring I'll need a custom driveshaft. I'm talking to Sinister Metalworx about doing a full bag system and shave job plus any mounts I need so hopefully the mounts won't be an issue.

I'm just looking for an actual list of parts needed and will then look for prices using the local pick-and-pull and autoshops. Thanks in advance guys, I think my little engine is on its way out very soon.

On a side note does anyone know what tranny upgrade I could get in the us for the fe3 swap? The stock box I have feels really loose so I'm trying to find the cost of the upgrade to add to the fe3 swap list.

it shouldn't be too bad. do you wanna go tbi or carb? with the tbi you could use the stock harness and ecu but the ms is funner and gains better power. are you gonna run the turbo 400? what about a rear end? electric fans? you'll probly need em for clearance in the front. it'd be smart to go on the safe side and put a bigger radiator in.

I honestly know nothing about v6s and v8s, coming from modding hondas so I need baby steps

I do know I want tbi and I plan on upgrading the radiator no matter which swap I go with. As for tranny, I honestly don't know. Has to be manual and as long as its strong enough to handle some quick pulls (nothing major, just some 0-60 runs up short ramps) its good. Need to go budget build here because I want to get the bags and engine done this fall/winter. Electric fans are already on the list and I don't know what to do about the rear-end/drive shaft.

the t5 out of a camaro should work with the 4.3. and i'd a narrowed for 9 inch in the rear. or and 8.8 out of 5.0 litre mustang would work too. especially since it sounds like your already planning on 4 linking.

the shop says 4link is a must for what I want so yea. Laying the frame on 22's (even though I only want 18's since they say later I'll want bigger). Any idea as to the tranny for the fe3? Just want a good list before I go spending my new few months worth of checks :P

no trannies that i know of. just swapping the internals in the stock housing with rx7's and miata's

Ok, thanks alot man, first time I've ever gotten all the information so quickly. Anything I will need electronics, ignition, or fuel man wise?

MegaSquirt is the way to go either way engine management wise. and you'll need a fuel pump. i'm not very familiar with the fe3 motor. but on my f2t i had to build an adapter to sway my manifold around so the throttle body wasn't pointing into the firewall.

personal opinion wise, which engine would you go with for a budget build? 4.3, fe3, f2t, or BP? I really don't think I can go above 2000 not counting the fab work. looking at 650 for an fe3 and around 400 for a salvaged 4.3

do a 4.3. you'll get the reliablity of an NA motor, plus more torque and HP than a fe3 and the same milage as a f2t. after having a turbo motor in my truck and running it hard, i would much rather do a large v6 or a newer high tech v8 insted. only EFI as well. if you can find a 5 or 6spd from a newer camaro you'd be completely set, just make sure to get the driveshaft yoke for it with a couple inches of driveshaft. if you can't find one i would get a 700r4 auto for it, the only way to get some good milage with an auto

but i deffinately say go with the 4.3L! a rad from an explorer is super thick and fits in where the stock one goes too. custom motor and tranny mounts for sure, but not hard with a welder and a grinder a cutting torch or plasma makes it even easier too.

__________________
93 b2200 F2t swap build thread sold
92 B2600i with a 82 3.0L 5cyl 617 benz Turbo Diesel build thread
91 b2200 fully airbagged, 4 linked, 1/2" lines, lays frame rebuild thread sold
91 b2200 v8, toy axels, 39" tires thread sold
91 EF Si, B18a1 swap, etc... build thread

'̿ ̿ ̿'̿'\̵͇̿̿\з=(•̪●)=ε/̵͇̿̿/'̿'̿ ̿

I'd definitely go with the T5..I've had 700R4s and they're nice trannys when they're running but they're expensive as all get-out to rebuild and IMO are not that tough to begin with - I blew one on an 80HP S15.

look into a 4.0 ford motor out of an explorer u can pick up a whole truck wreck in rear or side for about 500 bucks. then u can google that engine on google and find a kit for 300$ to get 300hsp. i've doing some searching and this is a popular swap in europe. ant that 300hp is 200,000 mile relaible they say. so thats just a thought for u

__________________
JMS

Not a Chevy fan, but all of the HP tricks for the ever popular small block 350 transfer over to the 4.3, which is virtually the same engine minus the front two cylinders. I have seen 4.3's make over 400hp, naturally aspirated, without any power adder. One of my friends wife used to run a car in the Goody's dash series, thats what she ran, frigging thing would scream........

__________________
91' B2200 - Holley 5200, fresh rebuilt 2.2, RX7 Alternator, MSD Blaster 2, 15" Chrome Pathy's, lowered 3", ready for body work and paint............

Loving all the feedback guys. Looks like the 4.3 might just be the way to go. Anyone have a link to a build thread using this engine? Trying to get a feel for how much room will be available under the hood as well as any special parts I need to make it fit. The one worry I have is not having enough room under the hood once I get the truck on bags. I was thinking a bodydrop but with this engine I'm not sure it will happen. Might just lay the frame instead, if I can.

Also engine wise, what year am I looking for? I am really new to the domestics so hopefully you guys won't shoot me for the weird questions. If I can get a year/model that would be great. All I know is the 4.3 was in some s-10s and that the bigger v8 will hook to the 4.3 tranny. Other than that I get lost quick.

4.3s came out in the mid 80's and were in S10's I believe all the way to the Colorados, and I think the new engines are a derivative of it. Nice low torquey motor with good HP especially on light vehicles. I like Fords but it put Ford's V6 family in their trucks to shame. Early models had carbs or throttle body FI, later models were all FI. If I were looking to do it with FI I'd probably look for a complete drivetrain less rear end out of a mid 90's S10, and probably take the wiring harness as well. An earlier model throttle body FI might be less complicated to get running.

Keep us updated with pics & tidbits..I enjoy hearing how stuff like this turns out. I think it's gonna be a bitch but I commend you for trying it..