I am looking to build a new motor for my hot air 85gn. I was wondering seeming I am basically starting from scatch if I should use a 4.3 block instead of a 3.8. I plan on turbocharging and intercooling the motor (of course).I believe that the GMC typoon had a 4.3 turbo motor in it and I thought it would be better to go this route. after all bigger is better no?. Any feed back would be appreciated.
4.3 is a Chebby. Totally different animal and nothing interchanges (except maybe the valve cover oil cap!
) 4.1 is a Buick and will interchange fine. Do you have a 14 bolt oil pan?
Ken,
A 4.3 and a 3.8 are entirely different animals. The 4.3 is a Chevy motor "6/8 of a 350." The 3.8 is a Buick. If you want displacement, a 4.1 Buick might be a better starting point. That way you could use the '86 or '87 intercooled pieces etc. The 4.3 in a GN would be an interesting piece - but it seems the hard way to go. Now maybe that 4.3 in a Monte Carlo SS...
Thanks for the input I was given the impression that the 3.8 and 4.3 were very interchangable (I'll never listen to that guy again) The 4.1L buick interests me though any info on what cars came with these motors and how hard it would be to get a hold of one.
This is one of the best resources that I have found on the 4.1 conversion. It may answer most of your questions:
http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/recipes/41recipe.html
Hope this helps.
The 4.3L in even a Monte SS would be a major undertaking . I transplanted the 3.8L Buick turbo into an SS and it wasn't bad at all . The exhaust even bolted right up to the Monte Cat .
Hal