350 swap for 89 S15 4X4

cyborgmike16 · May 3, 2005

is there anything special i need to know about putting a 350 into my truck that is since its a 4X4 with the 4.3L V6, such as do i need to push i engine forward, backwards, or anything like that,

i need to do this since my V6 has a spun bearing in it and i only payed 2 grand for the whole truck, and i dont think its worth it to get the V6 redone, and i cant find a new long block 4.3L NEW anywhere here in canada right now,

so any help with be useful

thanks

mike

facn8me · May 3, 2005

check out advanceadapters. I believe a oil pan and exaust are your main concerns. Although I would invest in a good radiator. Rest is pretty much a bolt in. Because of your 4wd you will leave the trans in the original place. May have to move the radiator forward.

snoman · May 3, 2005

check out advanceadapters. I believe a oil pan and exaust are your main concerns. Although I would invest in a good radiator. Rest is pretty much a bolt in. Because of your 4wd you will leave the trans in the original place. May have to move the radiator forward.

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You will have clearance issues and likely drive line issues as well for the extra torque. You will need a lot bigger radiator as well and you may need to beef up fronnt suspension for extra weight too. Personally I would just rebuild the V6 as it can make some pretty good HP with a little work and play well in that small truck.

facn8me · May 3, 2005

check out advanceadapters. I believe a oil pan and exaust are your main concerns. Although I would invest in a good radiator. Rest is pretty much a bolt in. Because of your 4wd you will leave the trans in the original place. May have to move the radiator forward.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You will have clearance issues and likely drive line issues as well for the extra torque. You will need a lot bigger radiator as well and you may need to beef up fronnt suspension for extra weight too. Personally I would just rebuild the V6 as it can make some pretty good HP with a little work and play well in that small truck.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hve you ever put a V8 in a S10 Sno?

snoman · May 3, 2005

check out advanceadapters. I believe a oil pan and exaust are your main concerns. Although I would invest in a good radiator. Rest is pretty much a bolt in. Because of your 4wd you will leave the trans in the original place. May have to move the radiator forward.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You will have clearance issues and likely drive line issues as well for the extra torque. You will need a lot bigger radiator as well and you may need to beef up fronnt suspension for extra weight too. Personally I would just rebuild the V6 as it can make some pretty good HP with a little work and play well in that small truck.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hve you ever put a V8 in a S10 Sno?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No but I have seen a few up close and studied them and chated to great lenght with one owner of one who told me his problems he had and still has. (blew rear axle shortly after mod and still has cooling issues on hot days and handling is not what he hoped for either to name a few and this guy was trying to do it right too, not with just a bandaid) Bigger and heavier is not always the best solution in a smaller truck as V6 in one of those thing with properly built and geared will run, cool and handle better on and off road better than a stock V8 with stock gearing. It is not a simple trouble free bolt in as some suggest. I focus on sensable trouble free swaps, not a anything I can fit ones that add potenail problems to the mix. BTW I install Big V8's in place of 6's and small V8 many times in past years and a large engine compartment will tolorate and properly cool a Big V8 that a shoe horn fit. It takes more than a belthousing match and a set of engine mount to make a swap transparant and seemless.

cyborgmike16 · May 21, 2005

alright sounds like u guys know a lil more than me, lol

well ill check that site out and check back here with results

thanks again

and as far as the rebuilding the V6 goes, no becuz its just not worth it my dad said, he said since the long block is no longer in production, he doiesnt think we should screw around with something suchas this

Cool Zr2 · May 21, 2005

PM me with any questions on the swap, I will be happy to awnser them.

dogdays · May 25, 2005

With all due respect to your Dad, he doesn't sound like he's up on things. The 5.7 Vortec V8s are no longer being produced either, does he want you to put in a 5.3 or something?

You can get a rebuilt 4.3 on about any street corner. You may even be able to buy a new one or a GM Goodwrench rebuilt one.

R.

Just do a Web search for Goodwrench 4.3. You can get a GM factory remanufactured longblock with a 3 year 50,000 mile warranty, how much better does it have to get?

R.

Hotwire · June 2, 2005

since your's is an 89 it has the widened frame for the 4.3, so exhaust isn't a problem. The V6 tranny will hold the V8 power, but only for a short amount of time. The rear will have to be upgraded if you plan on doing a lot of showing off or racing, the 26 splined axles won't take too much abuse before they let go. I would suggest a 4.3 HD radiator or a Modine Vette radiator, you'll have to do a little modding to the core support, don't know how much you use the a/c up there, but w/ the vette radiator, you may want to ditch the a/c. Electric fans help a bunch with cooling, I'd suggest using 93-200X camaro / trans am fans, they're plentiful in junkyards and pull a ton of air.

go to www.v8s10.com , they have all the info you need, also visit some of the s-10 forums for more info. www.s-seriesforum.com , www.s10forum.com , www.s-series.org , etc etc.

Yes, i installed a 94 LT1 in a 89 s-10 so I do have plenty of experience, if you have any questions, let me know, I did 95% of the work myself.