Atilla the Fun

Okay, first lets skip having a good 4.3 on hand, that alone isn't what needs considered. If that's you, have at it, or you can sell it for enough to get a 305, a 350, or a '93-'95 3.4L V6. The more I consider the 4.3 swap, the dumber it seems. The 200-HP versions will put any stock LG4 / LO3 to shame for both performance and mileage, plus slightly better handling, and for less cost than most alternatives, but it requires a lot of custom, one-off work. The hot-rod potential is there, but lacking bang-for-the-buck. Likewise, it's not super good at getting great MPG for the power level, whether 150 or 450. It just doesn't have anything to recommend it. What else? Maybe the combo of decent cost, decent performance and decent mileage? Really no better than what's possible with an LG4. It's barely even a technically-legal swap, and the legal versions are around 130-150 HP, from around 1985 Montes, if yours is same year or older than the donor engine. Never mind that my '06 4.3 WT1500 is emissions-stickered as a ULEV, our lawmakers don't want truck engines in cars, even if the engine is cleaner than the car ever was. I was considering parking my 65K-mile 4.3 truck, ordering the Advance Adapters 713119 mounts, and tackling this swap, but why? With my 6.2 diesel swap, I can expect to be the first V8 third-gen to 40 MPG. With another 454 swap, and some new ideas, I could be the first 454 to see 30 MPG. But with a 4.3 swap, where's the reward? Just having a great daily commuter isn't good enough. A 3.4 can do as well, with a bit of porting. I know, I did it. If you ever seriously considered a 4.3 swap, what made you think seriously, and why did you abandon it?

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

As you've pointed out, a 4.3 swap is really a doomed idea. For the most part the only people that I've seen ever really consider it are V6 owners who mistakenly think that it will be cheaper or easier than a V8 swap. Once you really analyze the effort and the final result, it really stops making sense.

Atilla the Fun

Thanks, Jim! Nice to know I'm not alone in seeing it this way.

Atilla the Fun

How about actually doing an AWD conversion, using Sy/Ty parts? ( Or maybe using big-FWD-car spindles, if necessary ) If using 700R-4 or 4L60E, the 4.3 looks like it would give the most space for the AWD bits.