I have a 1987 Camaro with a 2.8 V6. I want to put another V6 into it and was considering a 4.3. I have no interest in putting a V8 into it at the moment.
Anyways, I'm sure there are A LOT of people on this board that know much more than I do about this sort of stuff. So here are a few questions:

Will the power gain be worth the swap?

Will my original transmission need replacing as well?

If not a 4.3, what engine/modifications would you suggest?

Thanks in advance!

 

putting in the 4.3 will be just as hard if not harder than putting in a v8

the only easy bolt in v6 is the 3.4 out of a 4th gen camaro

 

Would the 3.4 be worth the swap? I want a significant power gain on engine swap alone. I plan to add some aftermarket parts as well.

 

A 4.3L is a 350 with 2 cylinders chopped off. Not only that, but it is a "truck" engine. If you live in a state with strict emissions laws your screwed the moment they open the hood for inspection. Usually truck engines aren't EPA certified for passenger car use. Just to be on the safe side, check your laws. I am looking at putting a 327 in my Camaro, and since I live in Montana, the only emissions requirement is that you have a muffler and a converter, if it was factory installed. There are no formal emission checks so....no worries for me.

 

I may end up re deciding to go with a V8 after all. The only thing I was fearful of ending up with a gas guzzler and a tightly packed engine compartment that would end up costing me an arm and a leg for basic maintenance like spark plug changes etc. I have a friend with a V8 who has had these problems.

 

If you go with a 305 you can still see some nice gas mileage, 26 or so highway, less if you go carbed.

That being said, asking for more power without more fuel consumption is a tall order.

 

swapping in a 4.3 in place of a 2.8 is a very doable swap
-you will need a tranny with a 90* bellhousing and
other "v8"parts. A few passenger cars did get the 4.3;
it was the base engine in chevy caprices and monte
carlos from around '85-88 and if IIRC, came with TBI
injection in those apps,TBI could be hooked up in the
'87 camaro using the original fuel pump and much of
the original ECM wiring.If you camaro has the 700r4
automatic,and 4.3 donor car also is 700r4 you can
use that tranny in the camaro if you swap the tail
housing.
I think it would be an easy,worthwhile swap.
And possibly even a bit of a "sleeper"with the v6
exhaust note retained

 

There are also lots of HP 4.3 parts available now, and many sbc parts can be used. You will need these parts to make it a useful swap:

4.3 V6 long block (I would try for VORTEC 4.3 heads if I were you)
Third gen V8 transmission (same bolt pattern as the 4.3)
Third gen V8 accessory drive (the pulleys and brackets to mount the alternator, power steering, etc) and matching water pump
Third gen V8 motor mounts (position will have to be moved on the frame to fit properly)
Third gen V8 exhaust Y-pipe (slight modification, but not too much)
S-10 4.3 Exhaust manifolds
S-10 4.3 Intake manifold (either run TBI or since its aluminum you can weld on the mpfi bungs for V8 injectors and run port fuel injection)

After you get your parts together, then you will need to burn a new chip for your ECM to properly run your 4.3 or you can use an S-10 ECM and then re-wire your car to use it.

I think the reason the factory never did this swap is because with a small displacement V8 you are probably at an advantage over this larger 6. You could feasibly build a 4.3 V8 (using a 70's smog short block) that would really stomp all over that V6 and it would be much easier to swap in due to the available supply of V8 parts from the factory cars.

Let us know what you are going to do...

 

I believe what I'll end up doing is looking at my options. I am a full time student and part time worker, so I rarely have a chance to work on my car. The first thing I plan to do is paint it, then putting a reasonably priced 4.3, or possibly a 4th gen 3.4 into it. Thank goodness for student loans lol. It may be a month, it may be 6 months, but I will keep you updated. I simpy want something a I can put an intake, turbo, and exhaust on and have a fast, nice sounding, and great looking Camaro that will turn heads and blow the doors off of the crappy little high school kid's ricers. lol

Thanks for the info guys

 

Didn't some of the older montecarlo's come with a tbi 4.3?