Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

[Skyhighsami]

I was curious if you add access to a 98 model Vortec motor could you take it and install it in a SyTy and just overhaul it with new pistons? I have been reading and it seems like they had better cranks and rods I think. Would it make sence to do this or just freshen up what I have? Thanks

 

[etriebe]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

I was going to do the same thing but i got to looking and the blocks are a bit different, like the newer ones use a aluminum oil pan with less pan bolts and the front timing cover bolts are different also, I was looking at them because i wanted a balance shaft block so the truck would be smoother running, I found that earlier balance shaft blocks like 93-96 or so had a "normal" pan and and timing cover.

 

[syntax]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

Newer motors have a balance shaft to improve idle but it decreases performance through rotating mass, also Sy/ty Caps are better than the newer motors.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

Its already been done a few times actually.

 

[Skyhighsami]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

Well the people that did it were they happy? I am just thinking about what direction I would like to go with my truck. I know I want to do the Vortec heads and an aftermarket cam. Since I am going to have it that far down I might as well go ahead and freshen up the bottom end. So before I do anything I would like to go ahead and have all the information possible and a game plan ready

 

[TYTILIDIE]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

E-RUE has done this, perhaps he'll chime in for ya. I aksed about it on an older thread but never got the answer I needed. And FWIW, Im going to be attempting this with the wifes truck and if it works out well, IM going to do it on my truck.

 

[Skyhighsami]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

You would think the only thing you would have to do is install the lower compression piston and work the intake to fit. As long as the rest of the rods and the crank will handle the hp then I have access to two 4.3s one from an 98 and one from an 02.

 

[sytyguy]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

Things you'd need to swap over/make fit:

Swap - Grey iron caps for nodular caps or 4 bolt caps
Swap - Factory pistons for lower CR pistons *
Swap - Head Gaskets
Make Fit - Intake (mod for Vortec heads)

* - Although, some keep the higher CR and run less boost - your call there.

There's been an undertone of skepticism for a long time as to the reliabilty (structural) of the post-Z blocks. I've yet to see anyone unearth a weakness in the later blocks through trial and error. Yes, in theory the BS blocks should be weaker (by a fractional amount in an area where we don't exibit a lot of stress in the first place), but honestly, I think it's a non-issue.

Hood

 

[Eric Fischer]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

Well the people that did it were they happy? I am just thinking about what direction I would like to go with my truck. I know I want to do the Vortec heads and an aftermarket cam. Since I am going to have it that far down I might as well go ahead and freshen up the bottom end. So before I do anything I would like to go ahead and have all the information possible and a game plan ready

I am running an '00 balance shaft block with Vortec heads in my Syclone. The balance shaft engine is a little smoother than the original motor, but still has some shaking at idle. In other words, I wouldn't change out the block just for the sack of getting a balance shaft.

Mods to my block include 4 bolt mains, better rod bolts, JE dished pistons, Vortec heads, and modified intake (to work with the Vortecs). The newer blocks have the cast aluminum pan, and have no provision for the oil return line so I welded in a bung. In addition, the newer blocks have the plastic timing chain cover that doesn't have a timing pointer, so I improvised and used an adhesive to mount the old timing pointer to the new plastic one. Other than that, everything else is a direct bolt-on.

If you have any other questions, let me know.

 

[UR50SLO]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

I'm running a stock Typhoon setup on my 98 Jimmy. Other than what others have stated about the oil pan return line needed and the differences in t-chains/covers there's not a real problem. I'm not to worried about the compression difference. That's become less of a issue than previously thought.
If you don't have stock Typhoon intake/plenum I've got a good idea how to use a Marine intake that has external injectors and a better throttle body than the Ty/s.
In other words.. go for it
~Scott

 

[MrNurse]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

can the main caps from a sbc fit on our 4.3? i am looking at some billet 4 bolt coversion main caps and i was wondering if there was any difference between the two other than the v8 has 3 and ours only has 2. i know they will need to be line bored after also. i was just wondering about the fit, and would it need to be the 350 or 400 journal? courious because i found a set of 3 splayed 4 bolt caps made of billet steel for $89 plus shipping. and i wis thinking if they fit then really 3 of us could buy 2 sets and each of us would have the two center caps for about 65 bucks and then order the front cap from one of the vendors. i think rpm has them for 69 plus shipping. just a thought for building a better bottom end and saving a cash.

oh and sorry for thread jacking

 

[E-Rue]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

im running a bone stock 01 bottom end with a fairly large camshaft, and an obserd amount of port work. i turn it to 5500rpm and run 15psi. The truck runs off E85 full time and has about ...... hmmm 8000? miles on it now.

there are a lot of reasons to use a new motor........ vortec heads, better rotating assembly, better oil pan, better heads, bettter rockers, ....... better everything really.

things i had issues with.

starter was contacting the flexplate adn had to be swapped with a new style starter. was a nice upgrade anyway as all the new ones are ministarters.

the timing set was sloppy and i had to install a tensioner adn new timing cover.

the oil pan from my syclone wouldnt go on the new motor.... and the pickup from the 2wd is too short for teh deeper 4wd pan. you have to buy a new aluminum pan and put a bung on it, and install a 4wd oil pump pickup........ unless your lucky enough to already have a 4wd pan on it.

theres a ton of pictures and a full write up about this motor on my website.

e

 

[Skyhighsami]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

So did you replace the pistons with a lower comp or are you still running the complete bottom end?

 

[UR50SLO]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

Compression isn't realy that big of a issue unless your going over 10-1. The ring land on the piston being down far enough would be more my consern than anything else.
If you've got the engine apart and are going to do caps ect anyway might as well put a good TRW Forged dish piston in or JE.
The SBC caps will fit.... A warning though... you might have to take a little off the ends of the caps as they might hit that allum. oil pan on the sides where it bolts to the block. I had to do a little "Fitment" on my Typhoon oil pan for that reason. The allum. oil pan won't be forgiving. Just put the cap on and see the clearance and adjust accordingly.
~Scott

 

[2kwik4u]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

There are guys on the S-series sites that have run boost through the new style motors with great success. I think one guy put down over 400whp with a procharger on like 14psi. I don't know the details of the setup, but I remember seeing the thread about it awhile back. I want to say he had a cam in there as well, but I'm 95% sure the bottom end was stock.

 

[Skyhighsami]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

I guess I am going to have to do alot of think about what I would like to do. I have a Suzuki Samurai that if the motor in my Typhoon is indeed a NA4.3 that I could throw it in there and just add the 98 4.3 out of a friends truck into my Typhoon since he is body dropping his truck and installing a 3.8 GN motor. So let me get this correct. I would need to get a camshaft, lower comp pistons, 4 bolt mains, 4wd oil pan from an S10 of the same vintage as the motor (stock or aftermarket?), and possibly a starter also from the same vintage as the motor? What kind of HP should I expect the motor to hold up to? Are the rods and the crank strong enough or should I just look at throwing rods and pistons in what I have now and a set of Vortec heads? Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

I guess I am going to have to do alot of think about what I would like to do. I have a Suzuki Samurai that if the motor in my Typhoon is indeed a NA4.3 that I could throw it in there and just add the 98 4.3 out of a friends truck into my Typhoon since he is body dropping his truck and installing a 3.8 GN motor. So let me get this correct. I would need to get a camshaft, lower comp pistons, 4 bolt mains, 4wd oil pan from an S10 of the same vintage as the motor (stock or aftermarket?), and possibly a starter also from the same vintage as the motor? What kind of HP should I expect the motor to hold up to? Are the rods and the crank strong enough or should I just look at throwing rods and pistons in what I have now and a set of Vortec heads? Thanks for all the help guys!

I personally wouldn't do 2 motor swaps to get just later Vortec 4.3 that your are going to rebuild anyways. You might as well rebuild the 4.3 you have and grab the heads off your friends 98 4.3.

 

[Skyhighsami]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

No he is swapping the motor in his truck that he is building. He has the motor out now and I was just going to get that motor and put the motor in my Typhoon now in my Samurai with a TH-350 behind it.

 

[turbodig]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

No he is swapping the motor in his truck that he is building. He has the motor out now and I was just going to get that motor and put the motor in my Typhoon now in my Samurai with a TH-350 behind it.

Just to further understanding...

Don't think that you're going to be able to drop a newer-style motor in, and have it work (and hold up) without a fair amount of tuning... which means getting the equipment and knowledge to be able to do it.

If you're looking at building a motor (changing pistons, caps, cam, etc) you might just as well build it correctly. Any way you look at it, it isn't going to be cheap.

You're looking for easy answers to your rebuilt-motor block, and I'm afraid there aren't any.

 

[Skyhighsami]

Re: Would it be possible to build a 1996-2004 4.3 for Ty?

I just wished that the vehicle that I got was accurately described before I bought it.