I have a 92S10Blazer with a 4.3vortec. she runs pretty darn tip-top shape. Anyway, i have a 3.1 litre in my camaro. I have been thinking about a swap between the two. my blazer is a 2 wheel drive 2door. If you guys have any info on anything, plz help! I can't decide if i want to do it or not, or if it'd be even worth it. I also had a problem with the computers in both....if it would make a difference if i swapped them! If you have any technical responses, u can email me, bucho_34@yahoo.com

 

no e-mail, you 're just gonna have to frequent the board for answers :nono:

p.s. welcome to the boards

1. The 4.3 is a better choice for the Blazer. ALready makes more power for the heavier vehicle. There are even some ATI/Vortec kits for TBI 4.3 engines (suks if you have CPI like mine)

2. IF you're looking for more power in the camaro, peruse the V6 forum on this site. Lots of info you can use to make both vehicles run even better.

 

you'd need a v8 trans for the 4.3 and to relocate the motor mounts among other things

 

so gimme a scale of difficulty here on 1 to 10...1 being ez, 10 being difficult

 

rate you skill level and the tools and equipment you have to work with that's what makes the differance

 

The 4.3 is basically a 350 with front two cylinders removed. I did this swap because I had a nice 4.3 from another project on the engine stand and my V8 rebuild was going to take lots of time and money to complete. I didn't want to stop driving the car so I swapped in the 4.3.
You will need to locate V8 frame mounts from a junk yard, buy them new from any parts supply or poly ones from the aftermarket.
First you need to locate the correct Gen 3 compatable V8 transmission you want to use (700R4, T5, T56). Mount that in first with the driveshaft and your torque arm properly installed. This will dictate your reference point to relocate the V6 mounts. The 4.3 mount spacing on the block is the same as a V8 as far as width is concerned but in a different location farther back from the V8's. You have two choices. Move the motor mount location forward on the block by making an adapter plate (this is what I did) or moving the frame mounts back and redrilling the crossmember for the new location. Your 3.1 location is, I'm assuming, very close to where the 4.3 needs to be. I say "I assume" because there is a set of holes already drilled on my IROC that are located farther back that must be for a 3.1. Since you have a 3.1, you will see some holes on the crossmember farther forward on your's for a V8 mount.

Your next hurdle will be exhaust but take it in to any muffler shop and they can either hook you up to your existing 3.1 exhaust or go aftermarket for more performance.

If you can, ditch the computers on both and go carb. Edelbrock sells a manifold for your motor as well as a carb. Carbs can also be had by Holley. I went with Vortec heads from a 96 or newer 4.3. Edelbrock has a manifold for those heads too. I used GMC Safari factory headers to my honkin' 3" exhaust and a stiffer cam. The set-up ran pretty damn good. If I caught a stock 305 or 5.0 napping, with my 4:10 rear end, all they ever saw was the taillights. Of course, those occasions were rare because of the IROC tags. Everyone assumed I was running a V8.

 

thanks alot man, maybe that'll gimme something to do over the winter time, since i'm not gonna be driving here in Wisconsin! Possible to gimme a price range on dual, 3" exhaust? Medium performance, don't wanna go overboard due to it being a convertible

 

Mine is a Flowmaster Force II with a single converter cat-back for $229 through Summit. I'm using a Flowmaster Y-collector ($38) behind the cat and custom tubing to the Y. It isn't cheap but the cool thing is it can be used for the 3.1 or the 4.3 or a V8. So it's an investment that will keep working for you.