the first 5.7 to 4.3 conversion?
 

I'm sure most of you who landed on this thread are already thinking, "is this guy a retard?" Well let me tell you what I'm thinking first. My poor '85 IROC has been sitting for 5 years after it blew a piston rod bearing and since then I haven't had the time or money to justify a rebuild yet. I had a thought for this summer. I have a 97 safari van. The van's 4.3 V6 is based on chevy's small block, so the bolt pattern will line up with the camaro's 700-R4. I have the entire van... well it's on the road right now, so I can pull the computer, wires, and all other electronics from it. If I can do this conversion without actually modifying and fabricating the body of the camaro then I will, despite the amount of work it will take to change the electronics over. It will allow me to once again cruise down the highway with the T-tops off. AND at 19-20 mpg's I might be able to afford the gas to do so. WHY IS GAS 136.9/L!?!?!?! All I'm asking is if I can do this conversion without any fabrication?

Will it work physically, absolutely. The 4.3 will bolt up and in, motor mounts and all, just as if it was a small block v8. The electronics compatibility is what you'll need to iron out, unless you're going non-computer controlled (stand alone) carburetor and distributor.

Thanx @ camaro 69. Now it's time to see if my buddy still has that cherry picker and engine stand and maybe I'll get the 350 pulled out this week. :)

Its not the first. There was one for sale about a mile from my house back in 08-09. He had it for sale for almost a year with no takers even at $500. He parted it out and scarped the rest.

Ouch. it must have had a pretty rotten body on it. I've had someone offer me a grand just for my shell. turned it down. She's my baby and I won't part with her! besides, the 4.3 would only be temporary. when I finally do get making money again I'm not gonna waste it on stupid stuff again. There will eventually be an LS purrin in that camaro.