4.3L V6 in a '94 Camaro

[camaro freak]

I understand that both the 4.3L V6 and the 5.7L V8 engines are both 90 degree engines and if the V8 can fit in an F-Body then a 4.3L V6 has no reason not to. Has anyone here tried to put the good ol' 4.3L in an F-Body before. I've got a '94 Camaro that has currently a 3.4 and although the performance is "fun", I want a little more bang for the buck without necessarily having to go with the V8. Got to go with gas mileage here folks, 6's got it, 8 don't. Can someone tell me the difficulty/challenge in store for me to put a newly designed 4.3L V6 195HP 260TQ "before turbo or super" in my '94 Camaro, I would sure appreciate any help on this matter. Thanks

[Squat13]

It would be only 100$ or 200$ more for a LT1. Why would anyone want a Dinkie S-10 Motor when they can have the real thing. I am not a personal fan of the 4.3. I much prefer the buick 3.8. Hot Rod did a build up on the 4.3 and it just wasent that impresive. I think they only got 340HP with a SuperCharger, Cam and Nice heads????

[Gary94Formula]

I think you would have to get a new K-member from a V8 and you'd have problems with the distributor. I also don't think you'd save that much in gas mileage. My Formula gets better mileage than my S10..
I can't see where it would be worth the cost or effort. That's just my opinion. Good luck with it if you decide to try it.

[Squat13]

I think you would have to get a new K-member from a V8 and you'd have problems with the distributor. I also don't think you'd save that much in gas mileage. My Formula gets better mileage than my S10..
I can't see where it would be worth the cost or effort. That's just my opinion. Good luck with it if you decide to try it.

Why would you need a new K-member? The v-6 and v-8 K-members are the same, they just use different mounts. the distributer wouldnt be a problem as long as he wnet with a MSD low-pro model.

[Gary94Formula]

I might be mistaken, but I thought in the early 4gens the K members were different for the V6 and V8. As for the distributor, I've never played with the MSD unit.

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

Got to go with gas mileage here folks, 6's got it, 8 don't.

The amount of money you are going to spend on this engine swap would be more than the amount of money in fuel savings over full year.

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if an LT1 or LS1 would achieve better fuel economy -- especially on the highway.

But, just like every other thread about an engine swap in a V6 f-body... EVERYBODY is going to tell you it just ain't worth it. It's smarter to sell the car, pick up an LT1 or LS1 car.

[camaro freak]

let me elaborate...

I really like the good ol' 4.3L myself, I own an S-10 with the same engine in an automatic config. and I get around 26.5 mpg and that is with a 4600 lb truck. My Camaro only weighs 4066 lbs. difference of 534lbs. I like the pep of the 4.3L and don't get me wrong, I don't knock the LT1's LS1's at all, I like them too but I have seen a lot of personal use with the 4.3L engine and I feel there is performance yet to be tapped into, in other words, it's got potential. Someone on this board mentioned something about Hot Rod building a 4.3L with 340HP with a supercharger and other stuff, that's fine to me since all I want is something plain fun to drive for me. Around here, 340HP is all that I need "and then some" since I ain't gonna' be going to the tracks with it or nothing, but all this is still in the idea stage, I like the 3.8L and 5.7L but you know it's all personal preference. Heck, I may even wait until 2007 when they are re-introducing the Camaro to the market again and trade mine in for a new one...if they'd take it that is. If not, may just fix mine up until then, save up and buy an '07. Anyway, I'll keep ya' posted if I decide to go through with this. In the meanwhile, enjoy the F-Body's.

[Squat13]

I really like the good ol' 4.3L myself, I own an S-10 with the same engine in an automatic config. and I get around 26.5 mpg and that is with a 4600 lb truck. My Camaro only weighs 4066 lbs. difference of 534lbs. I like the pep of the 4.3L and don't get me wrong, I don't knock the LT1's LS1's at all, I like them too but I have seen a lot of personal use with the 4.3L engine and I feel there is performance yet to be tapped into, in other words, it's got potential. Someone on this board mentioned something about Hot Rod building a 4.3L with 340HP with a supercharger and other stuff, that's fine to me since all I want is something plain fun to drive for me. Around here, 340HP is all that I need "and then some" since I ain't gonna' be going to the tracks with it or nothing, but all this is still in the idea stage, I like the 3.8L and 5.7L but you know it's all personal preference. Heck, I may even wait until 2007 when they are re-introducing the Camaro to the market again and trade mine in for a new one...if they'd take it that is. If not, may just fix mine up until then, save up and buy an '07. Anyway, I'll keep ya' posted if I decide to go through with this. In the meanwhile, enjoy the F-Body's.

That 340HP came after Extensive Modifacation to a stock 4.3, Im talking almost $7,000, you can build a 500HP sbc for that, NO SWEAT. I personal think that going to a 4.3l would be a waste of time, money, and a Car. And also take into consideration that the 4.3l has never been released in any passenger car, only trucks. if you want a V-6, get a 3.8 Turbo and a 200-R4 out of a Buick GN and go to town, those motor will put most 4200 Lbs GN down the 1/8 in less than 14 seconds.

But,bottom line is that we do not recommend the 4.3

[Christopherrr]

reminds me of that time I raced a miata in my cargo express van (company)...LoL...I had him all the way to 70 then the drag go me....LoL

Spanked a Mazda 626 too with no problem...t

the 4.3 is ancient, but a work horse (120+K on one of my vans, and still runs like a champ)...got plenty of pep...but I wouldn't do a swap into a f-body...even though I read how V6 F-body owners do swap out the 3.4-3.8 for it though...

190HP, 250FTLBS...