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4.3 liter top speed

14K views 69 replies 14 participants last post by  BuzzLOL 
#1 ·
I'm looking at a 98 s10 ss, because I like 4.3 liters, and I'm wondering what the top speed possible is for these? Vin code w. I plan on open exhaust, cold air intake, throttle plate mod, and a programmer (hypertech). I know that particular programmer has a setting for 128 mph but will the motor actually do that with the mods listed?
 
#35 ·
I do not think it has a thing to do w/"hating" anything. Most guys are budget limited, so the cheapest way to make good power is, yep, the SBC 350. That's not to say the 4.3L V6 cannot be made to run good. It IS to say the cost/HP is not favorable when compared to a SBC.

One problem is the availability of high performance parts. The heads used in NASCAR GN racing are too large for most street engines when you can find them. And the evenfire stock cast crankshaft is inherently weak. Finding and paying for an odd fire crank ain't easy, either.

Now, you can use a turbo and make decent power, cast crank and all. But those are not cheap builds. And if the 4.3L V6 was all that and a bag of chips, don't you think there would be more of them being built? And don't you think the aftermarket would be all over them like white on rice? But their not. Doesn't that tell you anything?

OT- I don't understand guys who ask a question then piss and moan because everyone isn't all on board w/their ideas. You ask a question and you get answers- don't like them? Fine, but don't kill the messenger. Instead sort through the info and make your decisions based on whatever info you choose to believe.
 
#36 ·
I do not think it has a thing to do w/"hating"

OT- I don't understand guys who ask a question then piss and moan because everyone isn't all on board w/their ideas. You ask a question and you get answers- don't like them? Fine, but don't kill the messenger. Instead sort through the info and make your decisions based on whatever info you choose to believe.
Cobalt that's a great incite to some of these guys! and you hit the nail on the head:smash:(the computers the NAIL :thumbup:)

I was going to come on and try to help but read some of this and decided the hell with it! Every one has different suggestions but to ridicule each other because one doesn't match another is ridiculous, and for a 19 year old boy to do the ridiculing when a very knowledgeable man gives a recommendation is assinine :eek:

Jester
 
#37 ·
It sure would seem to me that a response given- even if it doesn't agree w/some preconceived notion- should be appreciated for what it is: an honest opinion given by someone who took the time to answer a post in the first place.

I think 128 mph is not gonna happen, stock w/a chip and cold air- even if it was on the ground, lowering-wise. Others think it will. But I doubt anyone here would argue building a V6 is cost effective.

Now, if this is a matter of "I'm doing it 'just because'...", then so be it. Go in good health.

It sounds to me like the OP doesn't even own the truck, so it's really a moot point for the most part. But there are S-10 forums that I'm sure would be better able to answer the question about top speed. I just wonder where a top speed run could be made, legally and safely- it will take at least a minute, or more, of pedal to the metal to reach top speed. That eats up a lot of asphalt in a hurry!
 
#40 · (Edited)
The aftermarket support for the 4.3 is not good. There are cams, intake and some exhaust. No heads unless you count 18 degree from gmpp or other high dollar heads if their still available (3800 rpm and up power band), no cranks. This has all been hashed over previously- do a search. DV has as much experience w/the 4.3 as anyone on this board. Ask him what he would use to go fast on a budget, naturally aspirated. If he says a 4.3L V6, then there you go.

If all the OP wants to do is run a number, in this case 128 mph- he might be able to do it w/production Vortec heads and some porting along w/a cam. But if he wants to get a better return on his money, bite the bullet and do the V8 swap.

You make it sound like $1500 for a swap puts the idea totally out of reach. It's MY opinion that it's the best $1500 he could ever spend if he's really serious about going fast. If all he's trying to do is get some kind of bragging rights that he can go 120-plus then, again, so be it. But doing a swap opens up an almost unlimited amount of cheaper hp than you will ever get from a 4.3. EVER.

I don't know how or who builds your SBC 350s that they make only 180 hp, but stick around and listen- you will surely learn how to make a hp/ci on nearly the same money it takes for a stock rebuild.

I currently own two 4.3s, so it's not like I haven't looked into them.
 
#42 ·
The aftermarket support for the 4.3 is not good. There are cams, intake and some exhaust. No heads unless you count 18 degree, no cranks. This has all been hashed over previously- do a search. DV has as much experience w/the 4.3 as anyone on this board. Ask him.

If all the OP wants to do is run a number, in this case 128 mph- he might be able to do it w/production Vortec heads and some porting along w/a cam. But if he wants to get a better return on his money, bite the bullet and do the V8 swap.

You make it sound like $1500 for a swap puts the idea totally out of reach. It's MY opinion that it's the best $1500 he could ever spend if he's really serious about going fast. If all he's trying to do is get some kind of bragging righr=ts that he can go 120-plus then, again, so be it. But doing a swap opens up an almost unlimited amount of cheaper hp than you will ever get from a 4.3. EVER.

I don't know how or who builds your SBC 350s that they make only 180 hp, but stick around and listen- you will surely learn how to make a hp/ci on nearly the same money it takes for a stock rebuild.

90° V6 Cylinder Heads/23°
 
#43 ·
Look at the power band- 3800-4000 rpm- these are not what I would consider street heads. For the same money you can make a lot more power from a SBC. What I WILL say about the heads is they will make more power than the crank is gonna like for very long. Or the rods, for that matter. And lets not forget the production block is 2-bolt.
 
#55 ·
No argument from me.:cool: The point I want to make to the OP is there are better ways to spend money, unless all he wants is to run some number for bragging rights.

If he's serious about making power and going fast at the track, the V8 swap is a logical solution to using a ~/<265 cid V6.

Otherwise, buy a better platform from the get-go. A truck is cool, but it's never going to run the same mph as a slipperier vehicle w/the same power.
 
#59 ·
If your going to race please take it to the track it's not worth you dying or killing someone and ending up in jail if you street race.

My brother had a S-10 with a LS engine in it he would race it at the track it was a blast. Be safe buddy I see your young ok I care about you well I care for all.
 
#60 ·
I had a friend in high school with an S10 (didn't most of us have one of those friends in high school if we're under 40?). We tried Marine heads, Marine intakes, ported heads. We got started on an M90 conversion, scrapped that for a turbo and scrapped that after getting half the front end torn off to get the piping mocked up. Rich then tried his hand at porting the heads, and after 40hrs and 2 sets of heads...was no better off. Building a 4.3 to run 128mph can be done; but if you don't want to run the risk of being let down in terms of eating your budget, or marginal performance you may want to think twice.

Heres what I know. When I was your age, I had the money to do something once. So don't take what these guys are saying as a slam, its not. We want successful hotrodders. Also, the first thing you'll do after running 128mph is want to run 135. This is one of those laws of hot rodding.

Now after giving no hard information, heres some technical info.

You could put a stock LT1 in there and it would be cooler and more legal than a carb V8. It'd also have more room to grow than your maxed out 6'er. You can find a good running LT1 for less than a grand. You'll probably have to build a swap harness, but its not impossible, and there are several good how-to's on youtube for these kinds of things.
You'll also need to look at your trucks fuel requirements for this kind of power, I bet due to its age, it's marginal at best by now.
Personal experience; Im a member of the 3rd Gen camaro/firebird forums. There are a ton of guys over there who play with the 6 bangers and have a wealth of info. Most of em that dump money into them, come up short and kill the resale value of their daily driver. The smartest ones build a 2nd powerplant, and swap it in over a week in order to minimize down time. And then sell the car and buy a V8 one


You really want to do it? 3.23 gears and a bucket of nitrous oxide. This may or may not be legal in your area, and you'll probably run the TBI lean and melt it down. FYI a full bottle of nawss in your car is not legal in most areas, armed or not. As a young guy, they'll be itching to throw the book at you. Most of us here have 1st hand experience in that.

Stick around here, you'll be an asset for sure
 
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