Is my 4.3L V6 Supposed to sound like this?

drumset5994 · November 28, 2005

I'm actually, happy it sounds like this, but im just making sure nothing is wrong.

My sister's 4.3L V6 GMC Jimmy and my brother's 4.3L V6 S10 both sound like smooth quiet running engines...you know they're a 6.

However, my engine sounds a whole lot different. Its louder...but almost a good louder. It has that sort of "rasp" to it that older muscle cars had. I've checked everything out, and its all stock stuff...

Its kinda cool at around 2000 RPM's...in 2nd gear, ive had people think i have a 350 under the hood.

Anybody else had a Silverado that also had this "ballsy-sounding V6"? I like it alot.

My dad's GMC Sierra, same setup...actually is quieter than mine, like my other two siblings...but his is a 2002.

So, is this normal-ish?

asepgrad98 · November 28, 2005

sounds like you may have an exhaust leak

Ape0r · November 29, 2005

sounds like you may have an exhaust leak

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's exactly what I thought. Could just be a different muffler from the S10 platform, but it may be worth checking out.

Cranky1 · November 29, 2005

I know what you mean by mean sounding, we have a 1994 GMC C-1500 work truck with a 4.3 in it, it sounds like a mean small block V-8. The engine code is a Z and it has TBI. It runs like a top and every one just drives the crap right out of it.

My wifes 1993 S-10 Jimmy has the W engine with Multiport FI. (200 HP) It sounds like it is sucking and blowing air through a nozzle, it runs ruff at an idle since it was 2 years old. EGR valve is the cause most of the time. She won't let me get rid of it to up grade her to a trail blazer or the new Impala with the 5.3 L because she loves her lil truck.

November 29, 2005

My '00 sounded ballsy as well, especially at idle. When you got on it, you could tell it was a 6er, but still sounded cool.

neoh77 · November 30, 2005

A little late posting on this topic.... keep in mind the old 4.3l v6's did not have a balance shaft and did run noisier and rougher. I believe around 93 they added the balance shaft and possibly the firing order/crankshaft. There was also the oddball SFI 4.3l that only last a few years until the 1996 ODBII changeover. That thing made some serious power for a v6 as well.

I had a 90' blazer with the 4.3l motor. It was off the dealer lot as their demo vehicle with about 800 miles on it. It idled rough from day one...very rough in fact but was always dismissed as being OK. I do know that it had great power to about 4000 rpm (TBI in action, no top end)... I could light up both rear tires until I hit a real 45mph from a stop... no brake torque either.

I often wondered if the my demo vehicle was a ringer of some sort. I pushed that electronic speedo to 100 easily (when the dash was actually working! d**n electronic dash!)

For some reason it also would blacken the oil by 2000 miles...and sometimes even less. I never had one engine kill oil as quickly as that one.

I miss that car

-Matt

Shoot2Thrill · November 30, 2005

I'm actually, happy it sounds like this, but im just making sure nothing is wrong.

My sister's 4.3L V6 GMC Jimmy and my brother's 4.3L V6 S10 both sound like smooth quiet running engines...you know they're a 6.

However, my engine sounds a whole lot different. Its louder...but almost a good louder. It has that sort of "rasp" to it that older muscle cars had. I've checked everything out, and its all stock stuff...

Its kinda cool at around 2000 RPM's...in 2nd gear, ive had people think i have a 350 under the hood.

Anybody else had a Silverado that also had this "ballsy-sounding V6"? I like it alot.

My dad's GMC Sierra, same setup...actually is quieter than mine, like my other two siblings...but his is a 2002.

So, is this normal-ish?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My truck sounds exactly the same way. Been like that since I bought it. My V6 truck sounds meaner than my S10 V6 and my dad's 2001 4.8L V8 based Silverado. I am very surprised, and pleased. I wouldn't mind my being a little bit louder, but it isn't bad for stock.

eshoremd · December 1, 2005

my dad has a 2003 4.3l. when he brought it home i swear i thought it was used and had a flowmaster on it. ive looked under it a hundred times just looking at the muffler. its definetly all stock. sounds way better than my truck. ive had friends say stuff about it too. theres got to be something to this because my friend has the same truck and his doesnt sound ANYTHING like my dads.

drumset5994 · December 1, 2005

well its good to know...yes i agree with the flowmaster-like sound...especially when i throw it in tow/haul mode...and she climbs in second gear...oh man does it sound sweet.