I'm getting ready to rebuild the 4.3 in my recently aquired 88 blazer 4x4. My plan is to use stock .30 over pistons. Are these pistons flycut? My question is how much lift can I go using the stock pistons and stock replacement valve springs? I'm planning on a short duration towing type cam for off road pounding. I plan to port the heads and add headers also. I'm looking for a cam that don't interfere with the ecm. I'm very new to the 4.3 engines so any additional tricks will help. I'm also planning a lift and better tires a little later. I know the vortec engines make more power, but this is what I'm working with. Thanks.

 

I would put in a call to your cam vendor of choice. Tell them what your after, they will be able to hook you up.

All of the 4.3L V6 engines are Vortecs. For some reason people think Vortec didn't come out until after '95. Not true. It got a good upgrade after '95. However they are all Vortecs.

Go with roller rockers.

The 4.3L V6 engine is very common, especially in the wheeling community with guys running light weight small to midsized rigs. It puts out a ton of power for its size.

All tricks that work on SBC V8's will also work on the 4.3L V6. The 4.3L is the Chevy 350 with 2 cylinders whacked off. Same pistons, same stroke, same valves, etc. Granted the crank and cam are different, however the 4.3L uses most of the same parts the 350 big brother uses. GM literally whacked off two pistons.

You know about the trannies too?

Post up pics of your progress. I am planning on rebuilding a '93 4.3L in the near future.

 

Thanks I didn't know the 350 stuff. What about the trannys are you refering too? All I know is that it has a 700r4. I have an 83 blazer K-5 that also has a 700r4. I'm new to Chevy's and I got both my blazers recently. I was considering doing a 350 swap into the little blazer, but I know I can make good power without the added weight and expense of the 350/383. I'll post pics of the progress as it comes along.

 

LET ME KNOW HOW EVERY THING TURNS OUT AND WHAT KIND OF LIFT YOU WANT TO USE I WANT TO DO THE SAME THING I JUST DON'T WANT TO LOSE ANY VACUUM FOR THE BRAKES I HAVE A 93 BRAVADA