I have a 89 s10 4.3 4wd automatic. I use it for my handyman business so I haul tools and construction supplies in a lawnmower trailer. I also like to hit the mud to and from fishing spots.
I'm wondering if dropping a 305 or 350 would be worth it. I'm also wondering how difficult it would be a.k.a. how many things also have to be changed along with the engine. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

well when I did mine I used mounts that put the motor a little farther forward so i could actully remove the dist cap without pulling the engine you can get mounths that let you use a mechanical fan but you will never be able to pull the dist cap, my mounts were adjustable up and down and front to back. However, i had to use electric fans cause there was no room for the mechanical fan. You also need special headers that wrap around the steering shaft and to wrap them with heat tape stuff so they dont melt the rubber on the steering shaft. You also need a short air filter so it wont hit the bottom of the hood, or cut a hole in the hood if you want a high rise. I had a 4 barrel carb on mine so I didnt have any wiring to mess with. Mine was a 2wd so i cant tell you about the front axle clearances... Its not that bad, was about 1000 bucks on top of the engine price and there wasnt really any headaches about it. I used the stock radiator and it got hot as hell in drive thrus. if i do it again I will use a fatter rad and electric fans again.

Parts:
Motor mounts - 50 or so
V8 engine - ??? Mine was 1000 bucks, 350 with a 400 crank assembly = 383
Headers for S10 conversion - 300
dual exhaust - 200 plus tips.
elec fans x2 - 140
radiator for a camaro or vette - 200 (not needed but strongly suggested)
elec water pump - 200 (not needed)
underdrive pulley kit - 200 (not needed)
there is a couple other small things that I cant recall right now.

 

Thanks. I'm still debating it

 

i want to do a v8 swap on my 96 i was expecting to cost atleast $8k if not more cause wont you have to change the suspension, drive shaft, gears, and tranny ?

 

It all depends there's so many variables. I did one for 2k. Got the truck for free and rebuilt the junkyard engine myself and used basically stuff I had lying around for the build. Mine was a 4cyl so it already had 411 gears. Fun little truck but dangerous. Trans had a shift kit and with stock tires it would send you sideways when it shifted in the rain

 

Yeah, $8k for a swap is very high. Good running 350 engines can be purchased for reasonable prices.

 

http://high-performance-engines.com/...duct_Code=HP38

i would ****ing love this

i would also settle for this
http://high-performance-engines.com/...duct_Code=HP34

 

That's excessive