The 4.3 V6 was available in your truck. The motor stands and et cetera are available from the junkyard, so putting in the 4.3L V6 could be an inexpensive swap.
There are also kits available to bolt in a 350 SBC engine in place of the 2.8L V6 for that matter. Either one of these options would blow the 2.8L away.
Just something to consider.
There are several s10 forums like
http://www.s10forums.com/forums/,
http://www.s10v8.com/, and others.