CODY BEHNKE

After the demise of my 91 Formula iv've been looking around for a new ride. I came accross this 97 GMC Sonoma ZQ8 with a 4.3 and a 5-speed. I drove it and man it goes. After checking the RPO codes I found it has the 3.42 gears and L35 4.3 Vortec engine. I did a little research on the L35 man oh man in the 2WD trucks it puts out 180hp and 245ft.lbs of torque. I thought it was to good to be true but the GM results are the same.

82camaro

The 4.3 is a good little engine that puts out alot of low rpm torque, which is great for pulling and burnouts. That torque peak is at 2800rpm. It's basicly a 350 with 2 cylinders missing. If you mod in greatly, the stock crank tends to be a bit weak(in stock form it's perfectly fine). Most heavily modded 4.3's end up with converting to "odd fire" and get a better crank. I have a 91 GMC Jimmy 4dr 2wd that has the 4.3L TBI in it. It's rated at 160hp, but has 230ft.lbs. of torque at 2800rpm.

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350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, currant red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro

formula14

I just bought a 94 blazer and i beleive its rated at 200hp and 260 ftlbs torque. They are good engines. I really want a new one with that inline 6. that would be sooo nice.

zippy

they are a nice ride with good suspension and respectable power. with the L35 and 5 speed it should have the 8.5 inch differential, but i don't recall the 3.42 being available. i could be off on that since i'd have to check on availability for it in 97. if you got the truck you might find it almost as much fun as a camaro.

johnsjj2

I had a 96 truck with the 4.3. It was rated at 200hp/260tq. It had 3.42 gears also according to the window sticker. It wound out to quick. With leaf springs, wheel hop was a big problem. I later traded it for the Grand Prix. I want the truck back.



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Joshua Johnston
1991 Z-28
350, T-5, K&N, Ported Vortec heads, Edelbrock RPM, Holley 750 D.P., HEI, 11.07:1 CR, Comp Cams Roller-.510"/.520"-282*/288* dur., Shorty Headers, Dual 2.5 Exhaust, Dynomax Bullet Mufflers, T&R Motorsports custom air intake, Bald tires

J's86ROC

I just sold my 99 S-10. It had the 4.3/5spd manual setup. For a small truck that little ba*!@rd would scoot. I put a set of 235/60R15 BF Goodrich radial T/A's on it. That pretty much took care of the wheel hop. I'm in the US Air Force, stationed on this little island called Guam. Rice Rockets and little "built up" 4-banger nissan and toyota trucks run around this island like ants to a picnic. I never came up against one of them (except and AWD turbo eclipse and a twin turbo 300Z) that could touch me. The only mods to the truck were cat back exh, and a hypertech programmer. I am really going to miss my truck. One guy I only got by a fender length. He had redone his engine ported head, high compression and a cam. I'd never heard a 4-banger lope until I got here. But thankfully I'm headed back stateside soon to play with my IROC before the bad weather sets in.

82camaro

195hp/260torque
http://www.s-series.org/htm/techspec.htm


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350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, currant red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro