ok so i was wondering why has chevy updated or replaced all of there old V6's but not the 4.3? for instance the 3800 had 3 generations and then was dumped for a newer more powerfull v6. so there is the 3.6 DI v6 for most new cars. but the old 4.3 v6 is still around in the silverado. its an old engine that needs an update or some thing. what do you all think? why is this 20 year old engine still around? is it that good of an engine?

 

I have 1995, 2000 and 2003 trucks that have never had any major engine trouble. We've done intake gaskets on two of them but other than that they've been all minor sensors and maintenance parts. They're all over 100 000 miles.

The 1995 is now a farm truck and gets beat, with the only problem being a sticky parking brake cable.

 

The 4.3L has been upgraded along the way. Just not to the extent of other engines. The original was a TBI (88 - 95 in s-series vehicles) motor, then the CPI (92 - 95), then the SCFI (96 - mid-02), and then the MFI (mid-02 - end of production). There were many design changes from the TBI motor to the CPI motor as well as from the CPI to SCFI. Not so much changed going from SCFI to MFI, but they did make it more reliable.

The 4.3L has undergone a very similar path as the 3800 S1, S2, and S3 progression. They are/were both very staple engines in GMs lineup.

 

that makes sense i guess. so does that mean that there will be a replacement soon as with the 3800? and from all the motors i have seen out there there has to be a better one than the 4.3. like even the 4.2? the silverado v6 is some what pointless. but i like it. but it is almost time for a compleat overhaul or a replacement.

and as a side not why is it that the 4.3 or any other motor that i know of have never gotten a name like the 3800 did with its generations?

but thanks to all.

 

For the smaller trucks, the new (in 2002) Atlas line of engines (Vortec 4200 I6 amongst others) are the replacements for the 4.3L v6 and other segment engines. It appears that GM is just keeping the 4.3L alive for their bargain basement truck line because they can. It is dirt cheap to produce that engine compared to the others in their line up. They may continue to use the 4.3L engine in their trucks until the tooling wears out for the heads and block. Who knows.

As far as the Series 1, 2, 3 of the 3800, who knows. It was such a great mid to large size sedan engine that maybe they wanted to keep the 3800 name alive.

 

you are just so great i wish i was as smart as you!

i used to have my blazer but i got a grand prix. thats maybe why i ask. but the pontiac is great for a pontiac! the 3800 S3 is great and the 4.3 was great also when it ran! lol

 

Keep in mind that the 3.8 was a Buick engine, not a Chev.

 

OT: How do you know if you have an MFI engine? Asking because I have a 2002 and owuld like to know. I assume its in the VIN?

 

If you have an EGR valve, then you have the SCFI engine. If you do not, then you have the MFI engine.