Easiest/ cheapest motor swap for 86 4.3 monte

[H€r*nam€zC@It@]

What is the easiest and the cheapest motor swap for my 4.3 Monte Carlo? I would like a engine that has the potential to get at least 350 hp. If I were to purchase a small block Chevy what would I need To purchase and what would I be able to use That is already inside of my car? a couple of options are to's swap out for a real five which would equal $600 And has that rebuilds that would equal 1500.
Or have the engine I have already rebuilt that would cost me 2000 but it would not have 350 horses it would only have 290
Or I could get a small block Chevy just the engine for $900 from West Coast engines which produces 300 horses and I can have other accessories added to get to my mark of 350. Or my other option is to have a 350 put into my monte Carlo and rebuild it to get to my desired higher horsepower? If I can purchase the small block Chevy that is remanufactured I would rather do that but what accessories what I need to purchase and what could I re use. They have different package prices I would prefer to buy the cheapest package Possible And reuse what I can.

 

[axisg]

350 HP for cheap comes in the form of a used motor and swapping in a Camshaft. Then you cross your fingers and hope you dont blow it up.

On the Cheap IMO the best place to look is the 96-02 - 5.7 Vortec engine ( look in pickups and vans as anything Fbody will likely command bigger $$ at the wreckers/CL/Kijiji/ect.. ). They were a great motor rated up to 300hp in stock form. They come with the Roller Camshaft and Vortec heads. Swap in an LT4 or hotter camshaft and some better springs ( you can likely re-use the rockers and pushrods ) and that will get you to the reliable 300- 350 hp mark for a relatively cheap $ 1000 - $ 1500 dollars without touching the bottom end or pistons.
here in a link to a camswap on thridgen I have bookmarked http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/tech- ... c-lt4.html
or the Cheap 350 Build that Hotrod did.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engi ... ewall.html

Or take your time, save your $$ and purchase a rebuilt 350 or 383 from a reputable builder. It will cost more initially but the additional power and torque will only leave you crying once.

The 4.3 is based on SBC block. Most of your accesssories should swap over to the "new" motor. However you'll need a full exhaust, and a better trans to handle the power of a V8

 

[clean8485]

If you're looking for something cheap & easy, look for a 350 TBI engine from an '87-'95 GM truck, and swap it in. Try to get the overdrive transmission as well. I know it won't quite hit your horsepower target, but it will be pretty much a drop in swap, since your 4.3 already has the TBI on it. While the TBI engines aren't regarded as the most powerful engines that GM ever produced, they can be modified, and you could probably get a fairly reliable 300HP with a few modifications, and have a fun driver. Good luck.

 

[H€r*nam€zC@It@]

If you're looking for something cheap & easy, look for a 350 TBI engine from an '87-'95 GM truck, and swap it in. Try to get the overdrive transmission as well. I know it won't quite hit your horsepower target, but it will be pretty much a drop in swap, since your 4.3 already has the TBI on it. While the TBI engines aren't regarded as the most powerful engines that GM ever produced, they can be modified, and you could probably get a fairly reliable 300HP with a few modifications, and have a fun driver. Good luck.

Thank you ima def gunna go with a 305 since I'm really not concerned with hp anymore but tbi for sure thank you

 

[beenen]

search up about the LS series 5.3 swap..a little bit more work involved but its worth it. 50 bucks says that a little while after you swapped in that 305, you'll be like damn i shoulda swapped in that 5.3

 

[dixon_ronald]

I agree with clean8485 about the tbi swap in...I had a 350tbi/700r4 from a 1990 suburban swapped into my 85 monte 4.3l. The only major issues(which werent major) was changing the fuel lines to the opposite side, getting shorter a/c lines because the compressor is now on the passenger side, and shortening the driveshaft for the 700r4 trans. I also p/u a new exhause system from Jegs w/long tube headers. I am satisified at this point, b/c it is dependable, runs strong and peppy, and i have room for adding more hp. I think my gas mileage is pretty good, eventhough my gas gauge dont work...! :lol:

I would definitely go this route again because it is fairly cheap to do.