V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

[Quickstop [UK]]

v6 4.3 vortec engine swap

It looks like I may have to go down this route in the UK due to budget constraints and unavailability of the LB4 engines. Having read dgoodhue's posts about it and some others, it actually seems like a pretty good option.

vortec motor swap

So far I have read that they need:

a SyTy flexplate
the starter motor from 1996 and up or placement adjusted to offset the flexplate
a timing chain kit from cloyes if a new cam is installed
oil pan from a 4x4 engine with turbo drain tapped 6" forward from stock position
Melling select oil pump
Heads drilled for SyTY intake pattern / stock intake welded up (see here)

With the Astro and Safari engines, were they all 4x4 and if so, will the engine from them come with the correct pan?

There's an engine on eBay right now as well as a 4x4 pan but if I can save the £40 on the pan then great.

I'm not sure if I'll bid just yet - I need to ask the seller a couple of questions first. Will the VIN yield the info I need? I've asked for that and a video of the engine running. If that all checks out then I might have a motor for the Sy.

I would love to do the 4.8 v8 swap but those engines aren't readily available in the UK and shipping rom the US would triple the cost :tdown:.

Thanks for any info!

 

[bezerk]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

i have a couple of spare oilpans for our trucks, i do not know if these are different compared to the newer vortec engines.
Also i wouldn't touch the cam since the cams from the newer vortec engines are more agressive than our stock cams.

i would just bolt it in without going through the engine

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

E-Rue tried a stock SyTy pan and said that it is possible to make it fit but e had problems with the gasket sealing. I think that the cast vortec pan lends a bit of extra strength to the block as well.

I also saw the cam was better so maybe I can leave it like you said. Will be cool if it works!

 

[midnightbluS10]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

Most Astro and Safari vans were 2wd.

 

[sharkbait]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

yes. most were rwd. but the awd is what you want the motor from. they use a cast aluminum pan with a totally different gasket than the pans syty come with. also, its a balance shaft (IBS) motor, so you cant use your timing chain cover. and you have to use a single roller chain instead of double. atleast this is what i did on my IBS motor. lmk if you need any pics of the pan tapped for the drain? my truck is rwd, but the pan was actually an awd astro pan i had in my awd astro.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

I you are keeping the stock Vortec cam their was two different cam profiles, one had 180 hp the other 190 hp. I want to say the vin x was the milder cam.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

You also need to deal with knock sensor mounting.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

What are the thoughts on a cam upgrade? Seeing as I may need to mess around with a cam, cover, new chain etc, seems like a lot of extra money for an undetermined benefit.

Re the knock sensor, good point! Thanks for all the input.

 

[sharkbait]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

Re the knock sensor, good point! Thanks for all the input.

i always felt the syty location on the bellhousing isn't a great place cause of all the vibration from the awd. to ME the best place would be the cylinder head.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

I know what you mean but I honestly don't think that placement of the sensor makes a huge amount of difference. It has a filter to look for specific signals and the whole engine is metal to metal. I don't see the change in location being that significant versus the design of the knock sensor.

With solid mounts you could probably mount it in the rear

 

[bezerk]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

I know what you mean but I honestly don't think that placement of the sensor makes a huge amount of difference. It has a filter to look for specific signals and the whole engine is metal to metal. I don't see the change in location being that significant versus the design of the knock sensor.

With solid mounts you could probably mount it in the rear

even if, the knocksensor replacement is a €2 job to move it anywhere u want it......

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

Looks like I found a motor with a 4x4 pan on it. Shipped for £580 in the UK. 53k miles, 130-150psi on all 6 cylinders.

Got a shopping list put together as well so going to start accumulating parts soon.

If I ran the truck with the stock ECM and a higher fuel pressure, would I be able to avoid purchasing a Moates setup? Longterm I will obviously need it but would it run ok out of boost? Just for moving it around the parking lot/garage etc.

 

[bezerk]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

it will prolly fire up on stock tune with vortecs

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

I did use a custom cam and ported Vortec heads, but I really didn’t need to. *I was more building for a future rebuild with forged pistons & rods. *I suspect that Vortec short block will probably be good until
400 whp with a good tune, much like stock short block. *I am not sure how long it will last at those levels. *That being said a moderately sized turbo should be able to do that with stock Vortec cam and Vortec
heads. *If you are using the stock turbo, that is going to be your limiting factor.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

It definately need a custom tune. It will start up but mine was lean at high rpm's and boost would be lean compare to stock. The higher compression will be similar to running another 3-4psi of boost.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

Thanks guys.

I'm leaving the stock cam in there as well as the stock turbo. I will probably leave in the stock oil pump as well although I'm debating that seeing as I am going to be using solid mounts.

I've got a set of forged pistons but don't want the hassle and expense of machining the block then balancing the assembly. The Typhoon has all the goodness in it so this can remain stock for....wait for it.... reliability

The only upgrade I might consider for this apart from some gauges/lights and the US cluster/bezel is an alky kit and a hard tonneau but that's a ways down the road. Lots of bodywork and prep to do first.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

It definately need a custom tune. It will start up but mine was lean at high rpm's and boost would be lean compare to stock. The higher compression will be similar to running another 3-4psi of boost.

But it will be ok for driving in and out of the garage?

 

[JSM]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

In/out of garage should be fine.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

As for the oil pump, what year is the motor? Yes it will be fine to drive in and out of the garage.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: V6 4.3l Vortec engine swap

As for the oil pump, what year is the motor? Yes it will be fine to drive in and out of the garage.

1999.

If I can avoid changing the oil pump out, that would be a big plus. It's another $200 after purchase, shipping, brazing, taxes etc. :tdown:

Will 1999 be ok?