doing a 4.3 swap wont pass any emissions testing. pa's laws if its not a factory availible engine, it doesnt pass. if it was availible in that car at a later year (i.e. 2007 civic engine in a 96 civic) then it will pass as long as all the newer emissions items are equipped and functioning. for the $1000 youll spend to swap to a 4.3 because you need mounts, ecm, wiring, transmission, and misc. parts, you would be better off finding a v8 car for the same price and sell the v6. then if you want to swap, you can swap the 305 for a 350 and i doubt the inspector will know. also, the 4.3 is not limited to tbi. they offered cpi with a cast aluminum intake 94-97, and 98 went to a plastic intake. there are also a lot of year only parts fitments. i had a 95 blazer and know this all too well. i had a cold air intake, edelbrock headers and y-pipe, no cat, full 2.5 exhaust, electric fan conversion, was bored over .020, new trans and cylinder heads and a port matched intake. with everything i had in it, it still had no power until about 3500. i could outrun a 4.6 f-150, but the blazer weighs a lot less. i got 19 mpg with it, but about 15 when it was stock. i would advise that this is not a good idea to swap unless you have the time, money, and someone to pass it for emissions just to say you could do it.

 

Not to go off topic, but I didn't realize both you (micro) and gorn were from Pa. I was born in allentown, then lived in Berwick through high school, then went to penn state before settling out here in sunny arizona.

Back to topic, my father has just started a project involving swapping a 454 into a truck, and since we were on the border of luzerne and columbia (still inside luzerne) he can no longer do the swap he wanted. However, in columbia county, there are still no provisions for emissions. So, just to emphasize, check your local laws before you start spending money. Like them or not, they aren't going anywhere. By the way, in Pima county AZ all vehicles 1967 and later require emission testing.

 

I am in South Whitehall Even in PA there is a lot of variation in emission testing. Back up in the mountains (Schuylkill County) there is no emissions. In Allentown any pre OBD2 just need to be there unless the car us used less then 2500 Miles per year. Then it is exempt. In areas around Philly all car get the sniffer up the tail pipe every year. Not only does the computer need to say everything is OK but the sniffer does also.

 

I'm in the burbs outside of philly haha, micro didn't you say you knew someone selling that motor? Would an LS1 swap be cheaper? what kinda gas mileage do LS1s get?

 

LS1 can get 26-27 with an automatic but you are talking $1500 for a decent motor 2K for anything under 80,000 miles on it. Heck there was a guy selling a LS1 with a bottom end knock in it and he wanted $900 for it.

I work in Lansdale, I have not heard anything about the laws going away. In fact I have been hearing about a crack down, they want the older cars off the road in the cities. I use to inspect car is west chester and your state cops don't play. Good luck getting a franken car thru those inspection station without knowing someone real well.

 

you can get 300 hp out of 4.3 like the original poster said.
4.3 are just 350 missing two cylinders. They are freaking sick motors.
There are 2.02 heads out there for 4.3's
Dome pistons from a 350 will fit.
You can get cams made.

Yes it cost more, but a 4.3 will kill any v6 out there if
done correctly.

My SS S10 was 275 HP from Chevy.

I think 500 HP wouldn't be to hard.

But, a V8 would be cheaper and easier to sell later.

 

yea, i know someone who has that motor. it used to be mine, it's pulled and sitting at chaz's auto salvage in taneytown, md. it needs the head gaskets redone (i used brake clean instead of acetone), but is otherwise a stout motor for 192k miles. but its still a 4.3 and is still a dog. the wiring harness and ecm are still in my blazer which is in the yard. but since you live in pa, i know for a fact it wont pass emissions. ive done quite a few emissions test and have been around it for years. only if its driven under 5k a year can it be exempted. however, if you register it as a custom or a classic, you may get it to pass with a v8 swap. but, you cant drive it more than 5k a year and there are limitations as to when you can drive it. you would be better off spending the money for a car already equipped with a v8. it will be cheaper as well. heres the info for the yard with my old truck Chaz's Used Auto Parts

btw, i did not know you were from pa. i can pretty much answer any inspection/emission question you would have concerning the swap. an no, it wont pass legitimatly

 

Any V6? You are aware the 3800 Turbo was putting out almost 300 HP and up to 400 with light mods back in 1986. 300 Hp can be made NA in a common 3800 II with off the shelf Cam and the original parts with upgraded fastener. I have known several guys that tried to get their 4.3 fast and none them where satisfied that is why there a 1000’s V8 S10 trucks out there and 4.3 are dirt cheap. A series III 3800 5 speed would be a nice setup in a light 3rd gen. Since GM put a 3800 in the 3rd gen all the hardware is available Again not based on saving money, To date I am unaware of any motor cheaper to “make fast” then a SBC. Heck you can buy a 383 kit for under $500, try getting 450 Ft/lbs of torque out of any V6. That will drain a collage fund real quick

 

Any V6??? What about Buick Turbo V6?? Guy in L.A. had one with 1200HP in his GN

 

i spent like $3500 for my motor, shipped, with a 30 month/50k mile gaurantee