The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 4.3

I have had 2 Chevy trucks with the 4.3 V6. A 96 with 5 speed manual and an 06 with the automatic. I like this engine. If I do another project I would like to use this engine with the automatic. I believe its called a 4L60E? I think this is the computer controlled electronic transmission. Am I correct on this? Anyway my question is has anybody on the Bolt done this swap? I would probably do it in another AD truck. Although I am looking at a 35 Pontiac Coach also. Suicide doors no less! My 06 is fuel injected and I know there is a computer involved that does multiple tasks. I am moderately electrically challenged however I did wire my 49 Sub using an EZ wire kit. Another question would be do I need to run the catalytic converter? Any advice including DON'T DO IT is welcome.


Weeds

If you stick with the 94-95 TBI or CPI version it is OBD1 and easier to work with.
You should probably look for the 16197427/8625 PCM. It is a powertrain control module so it controls the engine and the tranny. You can use it to control the 700r4/4l60e/4l80e trans depending on the software code used in the PCM.

The software to tune it yourself is all free and it will cost about $120 for the chip hardware and programmer to DIY.

There are premade harnesses avail as a plug and play so all you have to do is drop it in and plug the engine and trans harness in. Connect the power and grounds and your up and running.
About $400+-.

All this is dependent on where you live.
If in the republik of Ca then emissions may be an issue. Other then that, you can tune out most emissions when programming the chip.
You can also just pay someone to program the chip with the changes you want so you don't have to learn how yourself.
Or if you use all the factory emissions then no programming may be required.

Chose your donor wisely and it can be fairly simple swap.

HTH

Bill USN 1, Thanks for the reply and I am a real novice on automotive electronics

What is TBI?
What is CPI?
What is OBD1 ?
What is PCM?

Programming will not be an issue. I have people to do that for me. I have been on Binderplanet but the technical talk escapes me.

Does your 94/95 TBI/CPI/OBD1 statement refer to the 4.3 engine?

Again thanks for the information.

Weeds

TBI- Throttle Body Injection
CPI- Central Port Injection
OBD1- On Board Diagnostics, 1rst Generation
PCM- Powertrian Control Module

Weeds:
I, too, like the 4.3...I've had several in different kinds of vehicles. While I don't know all the details, I would like to use one someday in an old truck. I think I'll stick with carburetion, though, and a manual trans. Maybe a supercharger...
Good luck.

cm

I think that the later 4.3's have a balance shaft above the camshaft. It has a gear that runs against the cam gear. These engines are very smooth compared to the earlier models. I think 96 or so is when they started.

I am building this system now. Wiring etc. & getting ready to fire it up soon, I hope.
Donor vehicle, 1991 Astro 4.3 V6 262 TBI Throttle Body Injection
700R4 Transmission. Also used the steering column, brake pedal & booster. Bought a Painless Wiring harness for this fuel system.
If you read the manual it will tell you what computer you need to match up this harness. I got mine in a scrapyard for $50.
http://www.painlesswiring.com/webcatalog/largeview.php?SearchField=60201
This is the manual for this application http://www.painlesswiring.com/Manuals/60201.pdf Lots of good reading to help you in your decision.
Appears to be a simpler set up, only 2 injectors..
Everyone tells me that this is a good choice for a cruiser.
Hope this helps.

Longbox, Starfire, Don S and vickraft, thanks for the replies. I am trying to educate myself on what year 4.3 will be the best choice. As I understand it 96 or later is the best choice. TBI or CPI. Which would be the best type of injector choice for fuel economy and performance and what year(s) engine & tranny should I be looking for? Also the engine can come from a van, pickup or car?

vickraft, really interested in your project. Do you have a picture site?


Weeds

No pics yet. I have gone as far as I can myself with this project. About 90% completed. One of my neighbours who is a retired technician helps me out a few hours a week when he can. When I get it going I will try and take some pics.