I currently have a 92 RS heritage edition and I definately need a power upgrade. I have been considering the typical 350 carb swap, but I ran into this article a little while back and it peaked my interest.

4.3L V6 Swap

I wouldn't be able to afford the supercharger now but even without it the engine makes 301 hp at 5,500 rpm and 316 lb-ft at 4,400. That by itself is a significant upgrade. I also plan on autocrossing the car this next year, so this swap would help lighten the car a little and provide better weight distribution. I searched for any info from people who have done the swap and didn't find too much. Mostly people responding with "Just swap a 350 into it". From what I have found the V6 engine can be had at a pretty good price too. Let me know what you guys think.

 

The 4.3 engine is based on the small block V8, Externally they are the same except 2cyl shorter. Basically what I'm saying is, all the trouble you'd go to to put that in, you'd have to do the same to fit a 350.

 

yup... im with Air_Adam on that... its just like swapping a SBC in.

 

Yea I know the swaps would be basically the same, i was just going to do it because of the weight distribution and the fact that i can pick one up dirt cheap.

 

If you do the 4.3, why not go ahead and build it forged, put a Syclone intake on it and turbo charge it. That would make a good setup, but there isn't much difference in weight between a 4.3 and a 350, and probably weighs the same as a 350 with aluminum heads.

 

I am with these guys. In the end you would be doing/paying more for less. The weight distrobution isn't going to be drastically different between the two.

 

It's definately feasable,but be aware that aftermarket parts for these little critters are still prett scarce.Theres's not much available in the way of intakes,etc.and the factory cranks are on the weak side,and the heads flow pretty poorly no matter what you do to them.
I messed with one of these in an Izuzu 4x4 a few years back,and was never all that satisfied with it,even as light as that little booger was.

I'm certainly not trying to talk you out of it,and if you'll always be happy at the 300hp mark,it should be great.I realize that the centrifugal wakes it up alot,but I really don't think the stock bottem end would live real long at those power levels.

 

The magazine's engine didn't last long.

Aluminum heads on a SBC would put the weight close to the 4.3. The same NA HP/cid ratio would give you 450 equines out of a 406 w/o the huffing and puffing.