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Does anyone have any experience building a 4.3?
Ive found a couple diff. intakes for it and I know that for the most part 350 parts will work (?)
Does anone know if there are aftermarket cams available?
I know, some are asking WHY waste the time? but Im looking for something a little diff for an early chevy II project. Kick a$$ performance is not the end goal.
hot rod did a paxton blower add on a few years ago for a 4.3 .. made 500 horses .. i`d like to do that to mine some day .. i have a stock one in my pinto ..
yep there parts like you said 350 parts will work theres cams erson makes them .the marine hyd roller is a good cam for some build iron and came with a 4 barrel intake . there was i think bush class or some road race class that gm made alum blocks intakes .at one time a friend of mine had every part that gm made for them i did some but very mild builds.chevy power book shows some stuff in it
Go get a cup of coffee and read this complete list of 4.3's from engine builder:
http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Arti...chevy_262.aspx
You then know about as much as anyone else about the 4.3's and best choices for O.E.M. heads.The are stroker kits for 4.3's which is the same method as the V8 383 in that uses a 3.75 stroke crank and is built by Speed-O-Motive.They offer a number of different options in their kits.Base kit is $1,499.
Yeah Pat I bought one of those Bowie 4.3 cast iron blocks against my partner's advise from a bush team when they stopped using them.It was a ruff casting with nothing done to it.No holes,nothing.Talk about expensive........I had to turn in my first born<well he ant worth much so it was a good deal-LOL>to finance the machine work needed and then the parts....... common pin crank,I had to be out of my mind.In the end,holding it back it ran in a chvette ran like a clock 10.90 every time.Quote:
Originally Posted by pat mccarthy
Man, I read the info on the link---now Im more confused than ever-----it seemed such a simple idea in the beginning!!
But, to go on a saturday nite cruise in a lil chevy II, park, open the hood for all to see a cute lil 6 popper all dressed up like its big brother. With a mild build and a little cam, she ought to run adequately with a little bump!
you do not have to make it hard just look for a gm roller cam engine .use some marine parts or buy a intake marine cam or a roller cam .abit of head work and some CR and you will have a runner .i all ways used 350 pistons in the 4.3 was cheaper then buying 6.there is a evenfire and odd fire engines new one pc seal is the block you want there not hard to find i would look a 1990 the newerVtec engine may have better heads you will have to find a intake or drill the heads a check port runner match upQuote:
Originally Posted by keotie
Scott Sehr's shop sent me this link on a 229ci v6 they did - 503HP, 474ftlbs sounds pretty mean, engine's headed to Hawaii!! Scott's a great guy in Sioux Falls, SD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddA1MgLex2Q
Is there a block or head modification required to use the late model heads on the earlier block?
The 2114 Edelbrock manifold ( 4 bolt intake per head) is for the 1996 and up vortec heads, 2111 Edelbrock manifold is 1995 and under. The later 1996 and up vortec heads flow better. The 1992 to 94 eye brow heads flow the best of the six bolt intake heads non-vortec (2111 intake manifold). The 600 cfm 4bbl is about as large as you can go on a street engine.
Comp Cams has some nice cams for both pre 1992 engines and also balance shaft engines. Do not worry about balance shaft for the street can use either engines but remember to use the the roller lifter hold downs from a 1994 engine (p/n 12551431 from a GM dealer to clear the Edelbrock intake) instead of the metal tunnel cover type roller lifter hold downs on an early balance shaft engine. The balance shaft engine cannot use a sbc double roller cam chain kit but the earlier ones can.
You will need a HEI big cap even fire 4.3L V6 distributor with vacuum advance which can be found at different places. Procomp has them.
Hope this helps.
I have a never used vac HEI 4.3 that I bought new.I think I paid a little short of $200.00 for it.I had Jan-Cen re-curve it to total advance at 2,500.It is a bare dizzy without any cap or coil.I have no need for it and would sell it for $75.00 or best offer plus shipping.I live in Roch,NY,14559 if you want to see about what it would cost to ship.I have no pic's or ability to post any because of I am using a back-up old computer which doesn't accept my camera's program.PM me if you want to call me.I will stand behind this is exactly as I have described it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by keotie
No you can bolt the vortec heads on the early block but you must use the correct intake for them (2114). Also use the correct rockers for the heads you are using. Check your rocker angle for the correct pushrod length. If you use a more exotic roller rocker then talk to a machine shop about what must be modified.
I've always leaned more towards an inline when it comes to sixes but that's just me. I do thing the Vortec 4.3 is a very good motor and a nice swap candidate.
If you don't already have the engine, find a 96 up. It has so many refinements over the earlier ones (balance shaft, heads, availability of parts, etc) that it just makes better sense IMO. I built one for a boat I had at one time, great motor and was rated at 225 hp stock.
Don
Man, I like all the info Ive heard here!
Assuming a near stock rebuild (stock short block, mild after market cam, intake and say 600cfm carb., along with the vortec heads-------any ideas of possible torq. and H.P.?) Next Ill be asking if someone wants to come do it for me!!!!!!
Thanks again for the information guys,,,,,
I know this thread is a little cold but to who ever is interested.
A 4-71 blower can be put on an early head 4.3L (pre-vortec) by using a 229 Chevy V6 blower manifold. I have a friend who has one on a Thames truck which puts out a good 500HP on a nitrited cast even fire crank 4.3L. He drives it everywhere was at the Yellowstone tour last year. So it can be done. :cool:
You should be in around 225HP maybe 250HP which is comparable to a 283 4bbl Chevy. Actually if you keep the hood closed most will believe it is a 283. I picked up a dirt cheap 92 Astro van 2wd with the 200HP "W" engine (CPI inject was shot putting a carb on anyways) and 700R4 trans for my project. I can use the front calipers which are the same as the late 80's Camaro, steering column, hydroboost brakes and yes the front rotors 12" 5 on 5" bolt pattern, with a little machining the MII spindles will take an A3 outer bearing and an A13 inner bearing. By using a right hand axle on the left side I can narrow the 7.5 10 bolt to a usable width, all this on a budget. Sorry getting off course. :cool::cool::cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by keotie
i like the idea of a 4.3 in a pinto. mated to a 5 speed manual or 4 spd auto, either way it says sleeper. of course, i also think a turbo tbird setup or a tbird super coupe v6 would be fun too. maybe im just wierd.
I have thought of building a GTP Supercharged 3.8L V6 with a 5 sp in a Track T.Quote:
Originally Posted by dwaynerz
dwaynerz its not weird, its cool. :cool::cool::cool:
I owned a Chevette that we swapped in a Bowtie common pin Brodix head 4.3.Ran 10.90's on the stop like clock work.All was a result of the comic book "Hot Rod"
article that stated Don Hardy had built one.Well they tried and decided it was too hard to mass produce.After I had thousands invested and called them for the headers I found that out.
These 4.3's follow the same formula.Ya want to build something different??.It's going to cost a lot more.............
If you want to do something simple with the 4.3's (not the reverse rotation ones),follow the marine builds for them and you can get some reasonable output.
BTW-I am having a hard time accepting the fact of a blown 4.3 putting out 500hp without it being very,very,close to not being street able.That is just a little short of 2hp per c.i.and on stock heads???.
Well believe it or not it is absolutely true. Canadians are like Aussies, they don't care what people tell them they can't do they just do it.Quote:
Originally Posted by 1gary
You don't need all the racing crap to build a decent 4.3L on the street. The problem is people seem to think that they have to have small block power to be credible. This is a load of bunk, just build them for the street and drive them, there is nothing wrong with a 200HP V6 of any brand. There are a lot of 4.3L v6's on the street in all types of street rods that people think are small blocks. I have seen a lot of them at different shows. They are finally becoming common place. I don't know what the problem is with 4.3 nay sayers their just a version of the small block.
Look I don't care about Roddin' politics. I just want to build rods and customs with what ever I feel I want and have to use. Isn't that how it all started, use what ever you have at hand and for the budget you have?
Dear Sir.I question the 500hp rating.Not the use of a 4.3 or the car,which btw is a very nice car,or him driving it to shows.I does get irritating to read everyone has 500 hp cars and knowing better.The split journal crankshaft I have good reason to doubt it would hold up under that kind of strain or would hold up for very long anyways.From what you are saying,his is holding up,so again 500hp....well I doubt it.I could understand you comments if I haven't gone down "that" road to build-up a Childress Bush grand national 4.3 that I bought at the Indy drag auction yrs ago and for good reasons spent the big money to get around the 4.3's design flaws.So I am setting here from a been there-done that backround and fully understanding the stock 4.3's.Quote:
Originally Posted by Two8tyThree
Now is his engine a very stout 4.3??.Well I trust what you are saying and I would guess it is.You know full well what has been apart of hot rodding too is cars that are all show and no go,no show and all go,and any combination of the two.Here in Roch,NY-the Street Rodders club have members that readily admit they build a nice looking street cruiser.Nothing wrong with that at all.
I am stepping off topic with this comment.Damm I am sick of street cars making claims to hp.Who the hell cares??.Don't drive normally in whose higher RPM ranges anyways.We all have fallen in love with HP and we all know fully well in street cars,torque is king.It is more of the same romance that comic books like Hot Rod promote.
I don't care, but someone did care enough to compose a lengthy treatise refuting the claim. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by 1gary
Bob
Well Gary I really appreciate your comments but what you believe is up to you.
As for calling me a liar that's another matter. I think an apology is in order.
Anyways what is your problem? If you don't like the post don't read it and move on.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...all/index.html
They used a Rotary Blower not even a 4-71 and it is possible with stock style heads!
This is the last I will comment on this particular subject.
Don't recall calling you anything of the sort.
Well, I kinda agree with you, 1Gary-----we all do put too much emphasis on HP. Since we all know the old saying "hp costs money, how fast do you want to go?" I think at my age and "needs" for my next build, Ill want something respectable b ut not a real ground pounder. I have been checking out the 4.3 marine engines-----change exhaust manifolds, add some "go fast" chrome and they just might be something to consider.
Originally I was looking at building up a 64-5 chevy II next, but now Im considering a 67 chevy shortbed instead. I think the duece would be lighter and have more "jump" from a 6 than the truck would---but with either, Im looking forward to the "wow" factor of opening the hood on the v6.
For those who are truly interested.
Campbell Automotive can build very nice Chev 4.3L V6's with nitrated cast cranks.
See post below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ4zWQR8qwE
www.campbellautomotive.com
www.campbellautomotive.com
I hope this abates some of the myths out there.
Pat the cam you are talking about is it the 225hp cam or is there another production cam?Quote:
Originally Posted by pat mccarthy
I am alittle disappointed this is turning into a debate.
I having to say over again.................
Our approach has been to learn from folks that have a larger R&D ability than our own.
It has been that when you fix a design flaw,you just fix it.
We found the stock 4.3 has rods or pistons are offset to the bore.That depends on how you set that.
We found that doing research on what is different between the 4.3 and the 5.7's.
We found the split cranks are a weak link in the engine design.
All this was confirmed when(I HATE calling out names when having done that been there myself should be enough to just pass along the info),we bought a Bowtie cast block,common pin forged crank,aluminum 210 heads at auction st the Indy drag racers auction from NASCAR Henrick Motor sports.
What that does is provide a stroker set-up that cures the side load issues being the rods on a stock crank is offset to the stock crank in it's design.
For yrs a local machine that I am close to has told me about re-bores in bores that are oval because of that offset.
Now I wouldn't be doing my part on this forum if I didn't report what we know.
Are there stock parts that can be used??.Sure,I guess there are.I think the key here is to know as much as you can if that is the route you decided to take.Make no mistake about it,GM never intended the 4.3's to be a performance engine short of the turbo version they built.Just to say that the 4.3's are just a 350 with two cylinders cut out of it,well there is more to that to know and learn from.That is the myth I see all too often.That is just not true.
If your serious about a 4.3,I suggest you do a hard look at the link I left for this thread.Also,the marine parts are a good source for mods.LOL-as long as you don't hook up with a reverse rotation cam.
there are many cams made by many hyd solid . flat and solid roller and hyd roller . custom if they have cores .gm made many rollers cams and were made here in bay cityQuote:
Originally Posted by sfort
The "W" cams rated at 200hp are the best production cams.Quote:
Originally Posted by pat mccarthy
"Factory 4.3L Cam Specs
* '96-'00, VIN W, w/ balance shaft
- Lift (I/E) - .415/.429
- Dur @ .050 (I/E) - .191/.195
* '93-'96, VIN Z, w/ balance shaft
- Lift (I/E) - .376/.402
- Dur @ .050 (I/E) - .183/.193
* '92-'95, Vin W, w/ balance shaft
- Lift (I/E) - .432/.440
- Dur @ .050 (I/E) - .208/.208
* '91-'93, ZR9/Z79, Syclone/Typhoon
- Lift (I/E) - .351/.386
- Dur @ .050 (I/E) - .179/.195 (Ductile)
* '90-'91, VIN Z, Astro/Safari
- Lift (I/E) - .403/.450
- Dur @ .050 (I/E) - .202/.213 (Steel)
* '87-'94, Vin Z, w/o balance shaft
- Lift (I/E) - .351/.386
- Dur @ .050 (I/E) - .179/.195 (Ductile)"
Gm did make L79 version 4.3L cam non-balance shaft both flat tappet and roller but is not in production anymore.
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/perform...CATID=304.html
Comp cams and Crane cams are good streetable cams, Comp cams can make custom grinds for racing.