anyone ever rebuild the 4.3 for performance?

[markmitchinnh]

I have a cousin that lives in California and he has a 1993 Astro and he wants to know if anyone here has any advice on a performance rebuild for the 4.3. I told him about this site and he asked me to ask me to check with you all and he will join us later due to this being his busy time of year.

[Kabey's Van]

V6 engines are inherently unstable, six cylinders x four strokes.
Although a fairly solid engine block, building one up to perform is kind of like putting lipstick on a pig.
It will probably look better and it might run better, but it's still a pig.
I have seen people do it, turbo-chargers, super-chargers, I even saw a blown 4.3 in an Austin 40 once, but for the money to hp ratio you would be far better off with a V8 of some sort.

Peter

[Smiliesafari]

It is possible but the overriding question is: What is the primary purpose? A hopped up V6 in a 4000 lb van is a waste of time if real performance gaines are the expected results. However, having said that, if you want to do it just for the fun of it, I say "go ahead". Years ago I blueprinted a 225 slant six for a Volare stationwagon. It was a lot of work and money but it was a lot of fun. It was the "fun" part that was the motivation for the project.

[markmitchinnh]

well due to the California smog laws a V8 is out of the question, so that's what he is up against.

[1Gary]

Hi Mark,

One of our better known members here is SoCalli V8.He lives in So Calli and has a V8 in his van.Not saying V8's are for everyone either.We have seen as stated Turbo's,twin turbos and everything in between done on these 4.3's.I would suggest you do a search on the net for info on the 4.3 S10 Cyclone engines which is a turbo engine that Chevy built.I honestly don't remember the whole story on them other they did have some heavier duty parts.

Jeg's/Summit do offer some high po parts too.

Guys say the 4.3's are the same as 350's with two cylinders cut out of it and that isn't exactly the facts.The split crank journals offset rods to the bore makes a huge difference in design.It is important to realize that in parts swapping with 350 parts.It can be done,but not without machine work.

[reaper]

I would say that if your pocketbook can support
such a project,Go for it.
There are allot of built 4.3 v-6's out there,even in
realative stock form in typhoon's/cyclones GN's & Regals(ever see them hopped up?)
Anyone remember 91Turboastro's van?,that van was no slouch.
There's also a few built 4.3 v-6's out there in the marine racing industry.
I could not disagree more that a built 4.3 v-6 would be a waste of time in a
4000 lb van.-We all have our opinions.
With good research,A fat wallet,& a good machine shop anything is possible.

[1Gary]

Just be aware that every time you build something that isn't main stream,it going to cost you more.Dollars/HP rating will always be in the favor of SBC's over the V6 4.3.


Roy-the Buick's are 3.8's.

[reaper]

Just be aware that every time you build something that isn't main stream,it going to cost you more.Dollars/HP rating will always be in the favor of SBC's over the V6 4.3.


Roy-the Buick's are 3.8's.

-Im not Roy dude LOL
Forgot about regals being 3.8's -thanks for the correction.

[1Gary]

Opps. See you do get to a age when you can call out for a senior moment.

[Cobra]

Just be aware that every time you build something that isn't main stream,it going to cost you more.Dollars/HP rating will always be in the favor of SBC's over the V6 4.3.


Roy-the Buick's are 3.8's.

not being main stream is part of the fun, i did look into building my engine (however that was before i owned it) and man it got pricey fast i would love to see a detailed build of one though