[ChadGresham]

Hey guys i know i ask alot of 4.3 liter related questions but there is not much info out there on these little motors... Anyway i was at the junk yard the other day and saw a tbi 4.3 with vortec heads (the good ones after 96). My question is can i take newer heads like that and put on my block (1986 4.3l with stock heads and carb intake)? I know the intake and lifters and cam will have to be addressed but im just after head info right now

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

Probably not. There were at least 5 different series of 4.3 Vortec heads made. Intake and valve train parts were not interchangable as a rule. Year, VIN code and application were factors.

[DoubleVision]

The heads will bolt on, however, it's not a freebie. To run the Vortec heads you'll need a set of special screw in studs made by ARP and a eight bolt Vortec intake. The Edelbrock Vortec intake costs over $240 however there is a aftermarket source for intakes that GM made for the 4.3 in boats, these intakes are single plane with a divider plate and are made of cast iron. You can get one off Ebay for $197 with shipping. I wouldn't bother to run a 4.3 if it doesn't have a roller cam.

[cobalt327]

DV has the head info covered. You need SA rockers, ~2000-up stockers were roller trunnion, but were also net lash.

Here's a cast iron Vortec spreadbore marine intake, single plane w/the divider:



This is a marine deal, they run at the torque peak for the most part; part throttle, off-idle driveability isn't high on the list of priorities. Personally I would not use this intake on the street.

And there's an intake for the Rochester 2G:

[cobalt327]

Found a good page on rocker arms on the 4.3L V6. I think by now studs should be available for the 1993 to 1999 V6 engines with screw in rocker studs.

[DoubleVision]

I'm outta luck then Cobalt, I got that very intake and will be trying it out before long. The reason why I wanted it was it's the only 4.3 Vortec intake I found that has a Quadrajet pattern on it.

[ChadGresham]

So there are adapters and such that would allow that to work? also a cam, lifters, aftermarket valve springs and intake manifold are in the plans as well.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by DoubleVision

I'm outta luck then Cobalt, I got that very intake and will be trying it out before long. The reason why I wanted it was it's the only 4.3 Vortec intake I found that has a Quadrajet pattern on it.

Well, you know how the V6 isn't as affected by an open plenum intake as a V8 when using an open plenum- hell, my little 229 V6 has a stock open plenum 2-bbl. OEM aluminum intake, and it doesn't seem any worse for it, although that's all I've ever had on it so I don't have anything to compare it to. But I mean, there's no flat spots or anything like that. It IS slow, though...

[ChadGresham]

Well Cobalt327 we should meet up one day and we'll try your v6 against mine. Mines aweful slow as well, although all my friends have v8s so there's no comparison there. I'd like to whoop my buddy with a 4.9 ford inline but somehow i just can't keep up Oh well I have the loudest v6 in the land but thats about it haha

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by ChadGresham

Well Cobalt327 we should meet up one day and we'll try your v6 against mine. Mines aweful slow as well, although all my friends have v8s so there's no comparison there. I'd like to whoop my buddy with a 4.9 ford inline but somehow i just can't keep up Oh well I have the loudest v6 in the land but thats about it haha

I managed to beat a 2.8L '82 Camaro w/my 229 V6 Chevy- but that ain't saying much...

[ChadGresham]

My buddy had one of those 90 model camaros with the little 3.4liter or somethin and he thought he was hot ***** because it was faster than the other cars leaving the traffic lights. Fortunately for his dumb ***, they weren't trying to race him! haha

[against all odds]

Sort of unrelated, but related:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddA1MgLex2Q

i'd like to talk about this jewel in another thread.

[ChadGresham]

Yes it is possible to make big power out of a 6 cylinder, the problem i always run into is finding the money for the upgrades.. haha