I have an 82 berinletta 2.8l Im looking to replace this motor with a 4.3l the 4.3 is coming out of a 1980 s10 pick up truck and offers alot of power. I would like some insight on what will be needed to make this particular swap transition smoothly. I currently have a 350 turbo tranny sitting in the garage and was wondering if this will bolt up fine to the 4.3l? Any help at this point will help. Thanks

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

I moved your post to its own thread because it had absolutely nothing to do with the thread you posted it in.

I know of no way to make this swap go smoothly. There are no factory parts available to use. You will have to fabricate engine mounts and exhaust.

Whether or not the TH350 will work depends upon what it is. If it came from a Chevy V8 application, it will. If it has the dual pattern Chevy/BOP bell housing, it will. Anything else, it will not.

The TH350 will not have provision for the torque arm mount that all 3rd gens used. You will either have to get an aftermarket adapter that bolts to the transmission tailshaft housing bolts, or an aftermarket swap crossmember that has the torque arm mount provision, or get an aftermarket torque arm that mounts somewhere other than the transmission.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General...2%B0_V6_engine this says the 4.3 didn't come out until later which is what i was thinking.anyway id use a camaro 305 700r4.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...4-3l-swap.html

 

You will spend as much money doing that as a V8 swap, in fact probably more, even if the motor itself is free and you have to pay for the V8.

But at the end of the day, you'll still have a gutless 6-cylinder. What might seem like "a lot of power" to somebody with a carbed 2.8, doesn't even measure up to the weeeeeekest 305 there ever was. It's still .... pathetic.

Meanwhile, you will have to deal with exhaust, accessories, the torque arm, and any number of other headaches, all without significant factory or aftermarket support like you can just hit the junkyards or Summit for the way you could for a "common" swap, since it's (with good reason) not a popular swap. While we all like to think we're smarter than the average bear, and we all want something "different" "unique" "not cookie-cutter" and all that, it PAYS BIG TIME to study what IS cookie-cutter FIRST, and figure out WHY, and why other things ARE NOT; kinda helps avoid a "salmon day", if you know what that is.

Altogether the recipe for disappointment, and a bad idea.

 

So then what direction should I go in? would it be easier to do the 305 swap?? Im not looking for a racer just a nice daily driver.

Why is the 4.3l a bad idea?

 

If you didn't read it the first time, why should anyone tell you again why it's a bad idea? Just re-read this thread. I know why it's a bad idea and I wasn't asking...

Swap a 350 or LS1 in. It's common and there is support and knowledge for it.

That is like trying to swap an LS1 into a Honda... can you, sure with lots of money, time, sweat, money, headaches, time, did I mention money?

 

I think it is a good motor just hard to do.and when its done and you have more money it will be a simple to swap ls1 or just about any v8.just remember suspention spings need to be replaced.