2.8 to 4.3 vortec swap need major help
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2010
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From: jackson mi.
Car: 1989 CAMARO RS
Engine: REBUILT 350 AND BORED 40 OVER
Transmission: 350 TURBO WITH MILD **** KIT
2.8 to 4.3 vortec swap need major help
i need as much help as possible i have a 1989 camaro rs im putting a 2000 s10 exterme motor in both automatics i just need as much help telling me how to do it what i need and all i need to do this on a CHEAP BUDGET thanks
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 25
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From: Colorado Springs
Car: 86 camaro berlinetta
Engine: 2.8, soon to be 3.4 w/ turbo plans
Transmission: 700r4(rebuilt in jan. '10
Axle/Gears: stock 3.23 open
Re: 2.8 to 4.3 vortec swap need major help
what's your current engine in the camaro?
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
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From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.
Is the S10 4WD? If so, I doubt you'll be able to use the transmission. You certainly won't be able to use the Camaro transmission.
Do you have the whole S10? Hope so.
I don't believe I've heard of a member doing this specific swap. I would guess that you're looking at fabricating engine mounts and exhaust, and doing the usual grafting of the S10 harness into the Camaro.
Is the S10 4WD? If so, I doubt you'll be able to use the transmission. You certainly won't be able to use the Camaro transmission.
Do you have the whole S10? Hope so.
I don't believe I've heard of a member doing this specific swap. I would guess that you're looking at fabricating engine mounts and exhaust, and doing the usual grafting of the S10 harness into the Camaro.
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 374
Likes: 2
From: Ankeny Iowa
Car: 84 Camaro
Engine: 357
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 4.10's / Strange LSD
Re: 2.8 to 4.3 vortec swap need major help
^^^He said it was an extreme so it wont be a 4X4 I don't think. The motor mounts are the same as a small block Chevy on the 4.3 so you will have to get 3rd gen V8 mount pads(I could be wrong) but I don't have a clue on the wiring or computer.
Mark.
Mark.
Last edited by whatever84; May 25, 2010 at 03:07 PM.
Supreme Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Sussex County, NJ
Car: 1994 Z28
Engine: 355 LT1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: 2.8 to 4.3 vortec swap need major help
Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.
Is the S10 4WD? If so, I doubt you'll be able to use the transmission. You certainly won't be able to use the Camaro transmission.
Do you have the whole S10? Hope so.
I don't believe I've heard of a member doing this specific swap. I would guess that you're looking at fabricating engine mounts and exhaust, and doing the usual grafting of the S10 harness into the Camaro.
Is the S10 4WD? If so, I doubt you'll be able to use the transmission. You certainly won't be able to use the Camaro transmission.
Do you have the whole S10? Hope so.
I don't believe I've heard of a member doing this specific swap. I would guess that you're looking at fabricating engine mounts and exhaust, and doing the usual grafting of the S10 harness into the Camaro.
As far as what you'll need goes, a 2wd trans from a vortec v6, the crossmember, trans mount, wiring harness and computer.
I imagine the computer is a standalone engine management system so you'll just need to follow the main harness back to the computer (which on my 97 vortec k1500 is under the hood). You want to take every wire that runs to the computer. You will also have to change the steering columns because some of the wiring for the computer runs to that or rewire it yourself to an on/off switch. On the 80's fuel injected full size trucks, its pretty simple. I have never done it on a newer vehicle though.
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 374
Likes: 2
From: Ankeny Iowa
Car: 84 Camaro
Engine: 357
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 4.10's / Strange LSD
Re: 2.8 to 4.3 vortec swap need major help
^^ The 2.8 is a 60 degree V6 and the 4.3 is a 90 degree V6 so the mounts are different I think.
Mark.
Mark.
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Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
The 2.8 and 4.3 are completely different. The only things they have in common are the arrangement and number of cylinders.
The earlier 4.3 mounts are the same a V8, but aren't in the same place. Fabrication required - the typical approach is to test-fit the engine and transmission, get the transmission located by hooking it to the crossmember, setting the engine down on the K-member, and marking where the mounts need to go. However, I'm not familiar with the 2000-up 4.3's. I'd guess fabrication required.
You won't need to change the steering column if you program out VATS.
The earlier 4.3 mounts are the same a V8, but aren't in the same place. Fabrication required - the typical approach is to test-fit the engine and transmission, get the transmission located by hooking it to the crossmember, setting the engine down on the K-member, and marking where the mounts need to go. However, I'm not familiar with the 2000-up 4.3's. I'd guess fabrication required.
You won't need to change the steering column if you program out VATS.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 25
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From: Colorado Springs
Car: 86 camaro berlinetta
Engine: 2.8, soon to be 3.4 w/ turbo plans
Transmission: 700r4(rebuilt in jan. '10
Axle/Gears: stock 3.23 open
Re: 2.8 to 4.3 vortec swap need major help
there was a company making 350 to 4.3 mounts for anyone looking to down grade from a v8 to a v6 for better handling. i believe i saw it in sport truck or another mini truck magazine. but as said above, you'll need motor, tranny, and computer. you'll most likely need a custom driveshaft and you'll have to relocate the tranny crossmember. i thought of doing the same swap but realised it would be too much work. if you do it successfully, me and probably a few others would love to see a well documented thread on this.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
Likes: 43
From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
2000 4L60E will be the same mount as LS1 4L60E, so use an LS1 4L60E swap crossmember from someone like Hawks. That will locate the engine/transmission front-to-rear.
I don't believe the 4.3 ever went to the LSx config, but I could be wrong.
I don't believe the 4.3 ever went to the LSx config, but I could be wrong.
On Probation
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,319
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From: Northern Utah
Car: seeking '90.5-'92 'bird hardtop
Engine: several
Transmission: none
Axle/Gears: none
Re: 2.8 to 4.3 vortec swap need major help
4.3 is still 4.3, still in 2010 Silverado 1500s, never went to LSx config., dammit.
www.advanceadapters.com makes some bits for putting a 4.3 into a 2.8 S-10, just use those bits. It'll save you lots and lots of hassles and grief.
www.advanceadapters.com makes some bits for putting a 4.3 into a 2.8 S-10, just use those bits. It'll save you lots and lots of hassles and grief.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 838
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From: DeKalb, IL
Car: 2006 Cobalt SS/SC
Engine: LSJ
Transmission: F35 MU3
Axle/Gears: 4.05
Re: 2.8 to 4.3 vortec swap need major help
Hey, just sharing some information I've already gathered. The SBC and the 4.3L 90-degree V6 are almost completely indentical, minus two cylinders and 4.4" of length of the block. I'm still trying to track down mounts that will set the engine back far enough to let the transmission mount in the "stock" position. Both the SBC and the 4.3L V6 have the same bellhousing mounting areas. The bellhousings will swap. So...since the 4L60 and 700R4 are nearly identical, dimensions wise, it should bolt right up. Atilla the Fun and I are going back and forth on this on the "Definitive 4.3 Swap" thread. Apparently, he's done it already...once upon a time.
Oh, here's some Hot Rod articles I've find quite interesting...and INSPIRING. ; )
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...ild/index.html
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...all/index.html
Keep me in the loop timmyt649.
Oh, here's some Hot Rod articles I've find quite interesting...and INSPIRING. ; )
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...ild/index.html
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...all/index.html
Keep me in the loop timmyt649.
On Probation
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Northern Utah
Car: seeking '90.5-'92 'bird hardtop
Engine: several
Transmission: none
Axle/Gears: none
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 57
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From: Cleveland, Ohio
Car: 1992 Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: 2.8 to 4.3 vortec swap need major help
Bringing this back hey guys I have a 92 25th anniversary RS 3.1 v6 auto that I'm trying to put a 4.3 in. I am a auto mechanic and have access to all the tools, lifts and 3 senior techs with about 65 years of experience between the 3. Some of these parts I will try to make myself or get help locally to keep cost down but for now I need as much input as possible to finally get a documented 4.3 swaped into a third gen.
I was thinking of going with a 94 CPI block (no balance shaft) I would like to run vortec heads tho. Custom grind Delta cam not sure on the intake. I would like to use the intake from the hotels article above but would I be able to use them with the vortecs? Trans? Trans mount? The motor mounts are one of the parts I wanted to make myself to cut cost. Whatever engine I decide on will come with the computer, do I need it or can I use the 3.1's? And what about the harness? Anything else?? Fell free to chime in guys
I was thinking of going with a 94 CPI block (no balance shaft) I would like to run vortec heads tho. Custom grind Delta cam not sure on the intake. I would like to use the intake from the hotels article above but would I be able to use them with the vortecs? Trans? Trans mount? The motor mounts are one of the parts I wanted to make myself to cut cost. Whatever engine I decide on will come with the computer, do I need it or can I use the 3.1's? And what about the harness? Anything else?? Fell free to chime in guys
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,149
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From: Tampa, FL, USA
Car: 93 240SX
Engine: LQ9
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.54 R200 IRS
Re: 2.8 to 4.3 vortec swap need major help
Bringing this back hey guys I have a 92 25th anniversary RS 3.1 v6 auto that I'm trying to put a 4.3 in. I am a auto mechanic and have access to all the tools, lifts and 3 senior techs with about 65 years of experience between the 3. Some of these parts I will try to make myself or get help locally to keep cost down but for now I need as much input as possible to finally get a documented 4.3 swaped into a third gen.
I was thinking of going with a 94 CPI block (no balance shaft) I would like to run vortec heads tho. Custom grind Delta cam not sure on the intake. I would like to use the intake from the hotels article above but would I be able to use them with the vortecs? Trans? Trans mount? The motor mounts are one of the parts I wanted to make myself to cut cost. Whatever engine I decide on will come with the computer, do I need it or can I use the 3.1's? And what about the harness? Anything else?? Fell free to chime in guys
I was thinking of going with a 94 CPI block (no balance shaft) I would like to run vortec heads tho. Custom grind Delta cam not sure on the intake. I would like to use the intake from the hotels article above but would I be able to use them with the vortecs? Trans? Trans mount? The motor mounts are one of the parts I wanted to make myself to cut cost. Whatever engine I decide on will come with the computer, do I need it or can I use the 3.1's? And what about the harness? Anything else?? Fell free to chime in guys
You could use the 3.1's ecm with some tuning and wiring work, but you'll need a normal port injection manifold for the 4.3.
If you started with a complete setup from something like a 97 S10 for example you'll need:
Swap the transmission tail housing section with the f body housing for the tq arm mount.
V8 engine mounts, you just drill the holes in the correct location on the K member.
Custom Y pipe/exhaust.
Extensive work will be needed to combine both harnesses into one harness using the 4.3's pcm connections and the thirdgens chassis/power connections.
On Probation
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,319
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From: Northern Utah
Car: seeking '90.5-'92 'bird hardtop
Engine: several
Transmission: none
Axle/Gears: none
Re: 2.8 to 4.3 vortec swap need major help
Fail. I tried this, no go. Starting with a 2.8 or 3.1 car, the easiest mounting is Advance Adapters' part number 713119. And search farther back on 4.3, I already did a full installation with documentation, I just did it to show how, so I never bothered to get it running since I had running V8s sitting around.
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From: Lynden WA
Car: 84 Trans Am, 84 Fiero, 86 944
Engine: 5.0, 2.5, 2.5
Transmission: 5spd
Re: 2.8 to 4.3 vortec swap need major help
i recommend leaving that car stock though, not a whole lot of those around
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Tampa, FL, USA
Car: 93 240SX
Engine: LQ9
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.54 R200 IRS
Supreme Member

Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Lynden WA
Car: 84 Trans Am, 84 Fiero, 86 944
Engine: 5.0, 2.5, 2.5
Transmission: 5spd
Re: 2.8 to 4.3 vortec swap need major help
woops all i saw was 25th anniversary heritage and thought it was one of the rare ones
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 48
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From: Lynchburg Va
Car: 1989 RS with T-Tops
Engine: 2.8L TPI Swapped to LT1
Transmission: 7004r auto Swapped to 4L60E
Axle/Gears: Stock Swapped to 3.27 Posi 9 bolt
Re: 2.8 to 4.3 vortec swap need major help
I would love to see the progress you have made.
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