Well in defenseof the 4.3... yea it is a 'truck' motor but its got more power than the 3.8s... had a 4.3 in my blazer a few yrs ago n it was alot faster than the v6 fbody rides... buddy of mine had an 01 v6 firebird, another had a 97 v6 camaro with the 3.8and another had a monte carlo SS... and the blazer won all the drag races and none were really that close... so if i was you and had the motor and wiring harness laying around then i would use it.... it would be alot cheaper than buyin a new 5.7 or a used 5.7 n freshening it up... either way ur gonna have some differences and problems doing a motor swap... but if uve got a motor, that IMO is better than ur previous, laying around then use it... do a search n find other people that have done the same swap... talk to them n pick their brains for advice... then let us all know how it performs when u r done

 

I would have to disagree, any stock4.3 I've run hasen't been able to touch my 3.8.

 

I would also have to disagree.. I've raced a friends 03 S10 Xtreme, with the 4.3l V6. Both automatics.. I didnt KILL him, but i did beat him by a few car lengths. Factor in the fact that my car is 6 years older, and has maybe 40k more miles on it, I think the 3.8 > 4.3. Maybe if a 4.3 had the same gearing/trans as a 3.8 Camaro, but in general, 4.3 truck vs 3.8 camaro, camaro wins.
As for the 4.3 having more power than the 3.8, I believe it puts out a little more torque, but the 3.8 has more horsepower (I think, not 100% though)

 

The 4.3 puts out 180-200hp and 245-265ft lbsdepending on the application. So more power, don't think so.

 

well the 4.3 i have has been bored .30. but it really dosent matter,i have decided to put it in my old 92 camaro,as a matter of fact i started it over the weekend,got the old 3.1 and tranny out of it. funny enough the motor mounts i need are for the v8 getting them today,,i figure i should be able to get it all going within a month or 2, i only work on it after work and on the weekends...plus i have a newborn son and he keeps me busy

 

Hi guys, i have a F-body 4th gen, with a L32 that seen its best days. I have a 2.83 on the back and just loved my Camaro. Such a shame, i just put my sunglasses on when i heard some strange noise from the engine. and yes the chain snaped and killed my L32. In Belgium i have to put a V6 in it, otherwise i would not be able to pass the tech inspection. I still hope that they don't notice the diffrence. So what did i do: An 4.3 vortex TBI from a c1500 and a TH350 . What i had to make. Engine monts from the TBI blok and custom metal plate, drive shaft had to be about 13 CM longer, and the electrics have to be adjusted but tbi is not that difficult. Also the alternator was a bit in the way, so i had to make a custom mount and measure a new belt with a string.






Fits ok, less weight, gone be cool happy with it so far