has anyone ever seen a chevy 4.3 vortec 6 cyl. swapped into a jeep? I have access to a cheap chevy s10 that was wrecked but the motor and transmission are good. its a good low mileage motor, im just wondering if it would be worth the work involved, because im sure there is alot considering i would be going from a carbed engine to an injected engine.
vortec
- Thread starter jeep90
- Start date
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
That's a great engine and I've seen several swapped into jeeps, the latest was into a Willys pickup. Be sure to use the GM transmission and transfer case so you don't waste $$ on adapters, and you know they are up the added power.
Not all 4.3L engines are Vortec, the earlier 4.3L had considerably less power.
This is the swap I would do in my '95, if I were to do another swap.
Not all 4.3L engines are Vortec, the earlier 4.3L had considerably less power.
This is the swap I would do in my '95, if I were to do another swap.
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
You have to label every wire when you remove the jeep engine, and hopefully every wire on the 4.3L harness is labeled. You'll likely have to wire the engine up with the Vortec's computer for the FI to work.
The motor mount perches need to be cut from the frame, this is the point of no return. Advance Adapters motor mounts will need to be used.
The Jeep radiator will need replaced or modified. I had my lower neck cut off and welded to the opposite side to match the GM water pump, and the top neck will work with a straight thermostat housing on the 4.3L. I had my 4.2L radiator rebuilt to 3-core and my 350 never got hot.
You'll be able to reuse your power steering pump if it's the GM style, I used a modified bracket from a full-size GM van, cutting the arm off that interferes with the power steering resevoir neck.
The motor mount perches need to be cut from the frame, this is the point of no return. Advance Adapters motor mounts will need to be used.
The Jeep radiator will need replaced or modified. I had my lower neck cut off and welded to the opposite side to match the GM water pump, and the top neck will work with a straight thermostat housing on the 4.3L. I had my 4.2L radiator rebuilt to 3-core and my 350 never got hot.
You'll be able to reuse your power steering pump if it's the GM style, I used a modified bracket from a full-size GM van, cutting the arm off that interferes with the power steering resevoir neck.
