s10 swap....2.8 vs 4.3 6 cyl.....thoughts - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rhodog77 · 06-26-2009, 05:31 PM

Hey guys.

Looking for my donor frame and wanted so input. I have found 4 or 5 longbeds with the 2.8 liter 6 cyl. Having a little trouble locating the 4.3. Does anyone know how much of a difference in power it is to step down to the 2.8. looking to build a fun daily driver, not a rubber burning hot rod.

dennis57 · 06-26-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhodog77

Hey guys.

Looking for my donor frame and wanted so input. I have found 4 or 5 longbeds with the 2.8 liter 6 cyl. Having a little trouble locating the 4.3. Does anyone know how much of a difference in power it is to step down to the 2.8. looking to build a fun daily driver, not a rubber burning hot rod.

I've never had a 4.3 but I did have a 2.8 in a 84 or 85 Jeep Cherokee. It's a no power POS don't use it.

ZZ4Blazer · 06-26-2009, 06:09 PM

Hold out for a 4.3. Even the early year TBI's! As once said, (2.8), 4 cylinder power with v8 milage

britnjc · 06-26-2009, 08:45 PM

Hold out I found my running 4.3 complete truck on ebay and fleww 900 miles and drove it back. I knew what I had when I got back and I was impressed. plus 19 miles a gallon

sgtusmc · 06-27-2009, 12:50 AM

I'm running the 2.8. Do yourself a favor and go with the 4.3 with A/C.

Mordachai · 06-27-2009, 11:42 AM

the 4.3 can be a fun little powerplant. Alot of support for it too.
my current DD is sporting a 4.3 from a 95 ss dime, and it's a ton of fun, should be just fine under the '56 whenever I get around to it.

OrrieG · 06-27-2009, 08:47 PM

My kid had a 2.8 in a Jimmy 4WD, basically worthless in any kind of rough stuff, I swear my wife's CRV has more power and can climb better. Ok for around town but gas mileage sucked.

BlueJeep · 06-27-2009, 10:46 PM

Seems that most people with the 2.8 in an S-truck seem to complain about them being underpowered...

If you buy the truck cheap enough with the 2.8, you could always swap in a 4.3. I'm doing a TBI 4.3 in my '49.

rhodog77 · 06-28-2009, 08:09 AM

thanks for the input. I figured that there would be a noticable difference. I think I will be holding out for the 4.3. the search is on!!

**truckdude239** · 06-28-2009, 08:33 AM

i just installed a new 2.8 v-6 in my boss's s-10 blazer and it runs great and has alot of powe

Mordachai · 06-28-2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueJeep

Seems that most people with the 2.8 in an S-truck seem to complain about them being underpowered...

If you buy the truck cheap enough with the 2.8, you could always swap in a 4.3. I'm doing a TBI 4.3 in my '49.

good point, also you could always swap a v8, there are a ton of kits for the old dimes.

Atomsplitter · 06-28-2009, 10:11 AM

I'm a biased towards the LT1 engines from 1994-96 because they are one of GMs most efficient power plants, they put them in Caprice Classics (yeah the one your grandfather drives), Impala SS, Camaro, Firebird, and Corvettes. They even have an L99 which is a 4.3L V8. Research the gas mileage any of these LT1's get and compare the horspower numbers as well. In my opinon if your willing to go for a TBI motor check out the stats on an LT1 5.7L. They also bolt up to just about any transmission GM has ever made.
BUT
If you have any doubts about using a computerized fuel injection system, which will include getting the computer reprogrammed, fuel injectors, various sensors, etc......stick to the old school carb's but you will lose out on the fuel economy.

06-26-2009, 05:31 PM	#1
rhodog77 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Burlington, KY USA Posts: 338	s10 swap....2.8 vs 4.3 6 cyl.....thoughts Hey guys. Looking for my donor frame and wanted so input. I have found 4 or 5 longbeds with the 2.8 liter 6 cyl. Having a little trouble locating the 4.3. Does anyone know how much of a difference in power it is to step down to the 2.8. looking to build a fun daily driver, not a rubber burning hot rod. __________________ "Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying" 1970 P10 Stepvan

06-26-2009, 06:09 PM	#3
ZZ4Blazer Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 95	Re: s10 swap....2.8 vs 4.3 6 cyl.....thoughts Hold out for a 4.3. Even the early year TBI's! As once said, (2.8), 4 cylinder power with v8 milage

06-26-2009, 08:45 PM	#4
britnjc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Helena, Alabama Posts: 453	Re: s10 swap....2.8 vs 4.3 6 cyl.....thoughts Hold out I found my running 4.3 complete truck on ebay and fleww 900 miles and drove it back. I knew what I had when I got back and I was impressed. plus 19 miles a gallon

06-27-2009, 12:50 AM	#5
sgtusmc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 958	Re: s10 swap....2.8 vs 4.3 6 cyl.....thoughts I'm running the 2.8. Do yourself a favor and go with the 4.3 with A/C. __________________ My build, 53 GMC / S10 swap http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=305723 My build, 59 Chevy / 88 fullsize swap http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hlight=sgtusmc U.S. Marines - Certified Counselors to the 72 Virgins Dating Club.

06-27-2009, 11:42 AM	#6
Mordachai Fat Fendered Fleetside Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: WPB, S. FL, USA, Earth Posts: 718	Re: s10 swap....2.8 vs 4.3 6 cyl.....thoughts the 4.3 can be a fun little powerplant. Alot of support for it too. my current DD is sporting a 4.3 from a 95 ss dime, and it's a ton of fun, should be just fine under the '56 whenever I get around to it. __________________ 71 GMC lwb 56 Big window swb 93 GMC Sonoma (dd) radiused fiberglass fender project for 67-72

06-27-2009, 08:47 PM	#7
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: s10 swap....2.8 vs 4.3 6 cyl.....thoughts My kid had a 2.8 in a Jimmy 4WD, basically worthless in any kind of rough stuff, I swear my wife's CRV has more power and can climb better. Ok for around town but gas mileage sucked. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

06-27-2009, 10:46 PM	#8
BlueJeep Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Waukee, Iowa Posts: 1,608	Re: s10 swap....2.8 vs 4.3 6 cyl.....thoughts Seems that most people with the 2.8 in an S-truck seem to complain about them being underpowered... If you buy the truck cheap enough with the 2.8, you could always swap in a 4.3. I'm doing a TBI 4.3 in my '49. __________________ build threads: 86 Suburban 88 Jeep 6.0 swap 49 Chevy truck 54 Chevy wagon 86 Suburban lowered 4/6 54 Chevy wagon 49 Chevy/s10 mix 88 Jeep Wrangler rockcrawler

06-28-2009, 08:09 AM	#9
rhodog77 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Burlington, KY USA Posts: 338	Re: s10 swap....2.8 vs 4.3 6 cyl.....thoughts thanks for the input. I figured that there would be a noticable difference. I think I will be holding out for the 4.3. the search is on!! __________________ "Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying" 1970 P10 Stepvan

06-28-2009, 08:33 AM	#10
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	Re: s10 swap....2.8 vs 4.3 6 cyl.....thoughts i just installed a new 2.8 v-6 in my boss's s-10 blazer and it runs great and has alot of powe __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

06-28-2009, 10:11 AM	#12
Atomsplitter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 514	Re: s10 swap....2.8 vs 4.3 6 cyl.....thoughts I'm a biased towards the LT1 engines from 1994-96 because they are one of GMs most efficient power plants, they put them in Caprice Classics (yeah the one your grandfather drives), Impala SS, Camaro, Firebird, and Corvettes. They even have an L99 which is a 4.3L V8. Research the gas mileage any of these LT1's get and compare the horspower numbers as well. In my opinon if your willing to go for a TBI motor check out the stats on an LT1 5.7L. They also bolt up to just about any transmission GM has ever made. BUT If you have any doubts about using a computerized fuel injection system, which will include getting the computer reprogrammed, fuel injectors, various sensors, etc......stick to the old school carb's but you will lose out on the fuel economy.



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