Comments on the 4.3L

Swifster

Swifster

Forum Member
I might be looking to build up a 4.3L. I'd like to get around 300 HP with a 9.0:1 compression ratio. I know the '93 engines went to a balance shaft. Has anyone played with a balance shaft motor? Downfalls?

Also interested in going to Vortec heads on an older, non-balance shaft engine. Any problems using these heads on an older engine? I know Edelbrock makes a Vortec intake so I thin k this would work well.

Any thoughts?
 
Swifster said:
I might be looking to build up a 4.3L. I'd like to get around 300 HP with a 9.0:1 compression ratio. I know the '93 engines went to a balance shaft. Has anyone played with a balance shaft motor? Downfalls?

Also interested in going to Vortec heads on an older, non-balance shaft engine. Any problems using these heads on an older engine? I know Edelbrock makes a Vortec intake so I thin k this would work well.

Any thoughts?
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They make cams for the balance shaft motors. I heard the newer heads were the shit. there is a place here in michigan that used to mess with them. they had a procharged 4.3 in an extreme that was pretty bad ass I think.

I would try the s10 froums in the engine section. I believe there was a guy on here that had a monza with a 4.3 that went pretty good.
 
daveg said:
They make cams for the balance shaft motors. I heard the newer heads were the shit. there is a place here in michigan that used to mess with them. they had a procharged 4.3 in an extreme that was pretty bad ass I think.

I would try the s10 froums in the engine section. I believe there was a guy on here that had a monza with a 4.3 that went pretty good.
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You're probably thinking about Bill Mach from Mach Performance's old truck.

Tom i know a guy that has some pretty rare exotic race pieces for 4.3's if you want to spend some dough.
 
BigWheelinBubba said:
You're probably thinking about Bill Mach from Mach Performance's old truck.

Tom i know a guy that has some pretty rare exotic race pieces for 4.3's if you want to spend some dough.
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Yeah, i am pretty sure that was it. Not sure how quick it was though.
 
BigWheelinBubba said:
You're probably thinking about Bill Mach from Mach Performance's old truck.

Tom i know a guy that has some pretty rare exotic race pieces for 4.3's if you want to spend some dough.
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I'm not looking to get too exotic. I'm looking for a better performing daily driver type engine that I can hang a supercharger on if the mood strikes. I guess if I was going class racing it wouldn't be bad, but I'm looking at putting this in my Stude Commander which has an inline 6 in it now.
 
Swifster said:
I'm not looking to get too exotic. I'm looking for a better performing daily driver type engine that I can hang a supercharger on if the mood strikes. I guess if I was going class racing it wouldn't be bad, but I'm looking at putting this in my Stude Commander which has an inline 6 in it now.
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replace it with a 4.2L Trailblazer engine?

280 HP 280 ft-#... silky smooth. I know a guy that pu ton in his Austin Healey, had the exhaust manifold split purely to make it sound right.. it scooted. The motors are less than a dime a dozen. I have seen complete engines and trannies for under $600.
 
beertestr said:
replace it with a 4.2L Trailblazer engine?

280 HP 280 ft-#... silky smooth. I know a guy that pu ton in his Austin Healey, had the exhaust manifold split purely to make it sound right.. it scooted. The motors are less than a dime a dozen. I have seen complete engines and trannies for under $600.
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that might be pretty slick, hide all the wiring and paint it up like the original Stude engine
 
beertestr said:
replace it with a 4.2L Trailblazer engine?

280 HP 280 ft-#... silky smooth. I know a guy that pu ton in his Austin Healey, had the exhaust manifold split purely to make it sound right.. it scooted. The motors are less than a dime a dozen. I have seen complete engines and trannies for under $600.
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i got an extra at the shop.let me know if your interested.
 
what do you wanna know, bowtie blocks are discontinued and big $$$$ the syclone typhoon guys grab them all, 300 hp on a 4.3 is cake syclones and typhoons put that down at the tire stock
 
moneypit said:
what do you wanna know, bowtie blocks are discontinued and big $$$$ the syclone typhoon guys grab them all, 300 hp on a 4.3 is cake syclones and typhoons put that down at the tire stock
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I was looking at 300 HP N/A without the turbo. The idea of the 4.2L isn't a bad idea. I'd have to measure the engine compartment to see if it would fit. Any idea how long they are compared to the old 194 & 230 straight sixes? The idea on the 4.3L is that it's a straight bolt-in and with work with the Stude transmissions (Studebaker used 283's and those other 6's in '65 & '66).
 
I actually have that article saved as a .pdf. I was just looking for any personal experience. I've always been a supercharger guy myself so I like the second part where they hook up a Vortech supercharger and get 475HP at 9 PSI and 501 HP (and a blown head gasket) at 12 PSI.

Of course that would also come with a $3500+ price tag!!! :)
 
i have a 86 4.3l that is bored .040 has kb 119 11:1's in it stock rods and stock crank, balanced, blueprinted,hv oil pump,pete jackson gear drive,crane cam, lift int .467 ex .494 adv dur is int 278 ex 290 with vortec heads an edelbrock performer intake and bg demon jr 650 and hedman hedders in a 90 extended s10 and its not what i thought it would be but is still impressive for a v6 anymore questions about it feel free to ask
 
Swifster said:
I was looking at 300 HP N/A without the turbo. The idea of the 4.2L isn't a bad idea. I'd have to measure the engine compartment to see if it would fit. Any idea how long they are compared to the old 194 & 230 straight sixes? The idea on the 4.3L is that it's a straight bolt-in and with work with the Stude transmissions (Studebaker used 283's and those other 6's in '65 & '66).
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The bolt pattern between the block and trans is not the same as a small block, I think it's unique, not SBC/BBC, nor is it BOP.. The block is not incredibly long, if a 283 can fit, the 4.2L will fit. From the rear face of the block (trans bellhousing flange), to the front of the water pump pulley (where the fan bolts on), the motor is just under 31" long.
 
beertestr said:
The bolt pattern between the block and trans is not the same as a small block, I think it's unique, not SBC/BBC, nor is it BOP.. The block is not incredibly long, if a 283 can fit, the 4.2L will fit. From the rear face of the block (trans bellhousing flange), to the front of the water pump pulley (where the fan bolts on), the motor is just under 31" long.
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I'm assuming you mean the 4.2L, right?
 
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