4.3 v6 SBC

i did a quick search for info, found nothing. id just like to bring up the point that this engine, starting with RPO code LB1 in 1985, is a SBC with 2 cyl cut off. Wiki says that this engine is still in production and that many of the internals are interchangeable with Gen I/II SBC's!

My ultimate desire is a budget build, im in love with the LT1 swap idea given its availability and cheapness. Shes just too heavy. so if the 4.3L V6 is just a SBC chopped up, wouldnt it fit on the LT1 adapter mounts?

my guess is that it might, the only problem is with the engine being placed too close to the nose, and not touching the Torque tube. In other words, picture the lt1 in a 944 bay with 2 cyl cut off the end, the length is now way off.

Id actually like to just try it, but maybe i thought id get some ideas before shelling out for adapter mounts and a cheap v6.

If it fits on a SBC bell housing, you will have a ton of space between the radiator and engine, not a problem with spacing at the torque tube.

Cheap V6 is what you'll be getting for sure. I have installed a lot of the 4.3's. THey are easy to do and cheap to find, but you will never get rid of the poor balance of the rotating mass in these motors. Everyone that I have installed always felt like there was a miss or a dead cylinder by the felling of the motor, that is at idle. Once they are at a off idle RPM they seem to be fine. I'm just not sure it would be the perfect choice for the 944 Porsche. Not to say it can't or hasn't been done. Just a fore warning of the final product. Those motors last a long time to. But for some reason they cost more than the V8 to rebuild.

i can imagine the running issues being an sbc that was just cut off at the end.Very little re=engineering for a v6 born from a v8. but maybe the engine needs an idle speed adjustment

is the installation procedure the same as the LT1?

You realize the 4.3 V6 were all steel heads, whareas the LT1 is alumimum heads. Weight is within a few pounds of each other considering that fact.

If you're on a budget, then just do a 5.3 or 4.8. you can get them cheaper than the V6 most of the time and they weigh about the same. Also there is much more support for the LS based V8's

944v8inDFW wrote:You realize the 4.3 V6 were all steel heads, whareas the LT1 is alumimum heads. Weight is within a few pounds of each other considering that fact.

i found that the lt1 weighs in at about 550+lbs, and the vortec v6 weighs in around 425lbs+ , v6 is still an all iron engine. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

i realize there is another thread on here regarding the GM 3800 v6. a much more reliable engine, and less massive at 400lbs.

On TPC's website under projects, there is a 944S2 cabbie with a converted v6. Is there an upcoming v6 kit in the making from TPC?

yes, we are in the final testing phase of it. It is not ready for internet sale just yet......

antique944 wrote:

944v8inDFW wrote:You realize the 4.3 V6 were all steel heads, whareas the LT1 is alumimum heads. Weight is within a few pounds of each other considering that fact.

i found that the lt1 weighs in at about 550+lbs, and the vortec v6 weighs in around 425lbs+ , v6 is still an all iron engine. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

i realize there is another thread on here regarding the GM 3800 v6. a much more reliable engine, and less massive at 400lbs.

On TPC's website under projects, there is a 944S2 cabbie with a converted v6. Is there an upcoming v6 kit in the making from TPC?

That weight is wrong, a GM 4.3 long block without front drive and starter, with steel flywheel is 430. thiat is right from thier ad slick. A LT1 with alumimum heads alumimum flywheel, with alt with power steering pump and full induction without starter is 473. Maybe the old school LT1 with steel heads and intake is 550. A moderen LT1 with steel heads ala Impala might be 550 with stock manifolds.

since it got brought up, I have the 4.3l in my toyota truck, it has the balance shaft, I keep hearing about the balance issue, but I have no problems with mine, heck it idles better and smoother than my 944, and my girls 3800 SII, but putting it in a 944 .... It might be a cheap engine, but i quickly found out building one gets spendy, LOTS of torque, but get up and go ... not so much. oh and not to mention height issues, most are TBI, and if you drop edelbrock intake, and/or TB spacer might as well take the hood off. and if you go with CPI system, u could turbo, but loose the option of wynjammers supercharger

A friend of mine and i are about to start a project like this. We have a 4.3l from a 2009 silverado that is like brand new. My question, assuming we can find a c5 bell housing soon, it should bolt right up correct? I know the c5 bell housing will bolt up to the 5.3 all day long so... it should mate up to the 4.3l. Its an 84' 944.