Actually the 1st Gens have more horse power and torque.
The 1st Gens that have the 4.3l vortec (vin w) have 195 HP and 250 lb-ft
And the 2nd Gens had two engines
(Vin w) 180 HP 245 lb-ft
(Vin x) 2003-2004 190 HP 250 lb-ft

So when you say 2nd Gens had more power you must be referring to the 4.3l 1st Gens TBI's (vin z) that had either 150 HP 230 lb-ft and 165 HP 235 lb-ft

So therefore the 2nd Gens years 2003-2004 are the ones that come close to the 1st Gen vortec's

 

The 1989 S10 Baja that I just traded for my first gen blazer had an upgraded suspension that fit 30x9.50x15 tires with no rubbing at all. It's the same suspension that came on the sport package that my other 89 blazer had come with (the one that was totaled a few years ago). Still the zr2's have more clearance than the first gen sport versions.

 

mines a sport and i love it to death

its way to beast in the snow thats all I need to say

 

Your's is the inspiration for what I want to do with mine. I like the look your truck has and I'm going to do something very similar with mine.

 

thank you im glad someone else likes it as much as i do

 

Me too I like your blazer

 

ive got a love for the 1st gens body its just ubber sexy if i was to get a 2nd it would have to be a black 2 door zr2 nothing else will do

ive said it before and ill say it know xgio has one of the best lookin first gens around (cept mine even with the rust and dented fender CUZ ITS MINE).....

 

My 03 blazer zr2 xtreme with no cats and a straight pipe exhaust dose awesome in the mud and snow. A friend of mine has a lifted 96 dodge and on flat deep mud I can go where he can go in 2wd when hes in 4wd and it dosent have any mud tires I love my blazer

 

What exactly is a "blazer zr2 exteme"?

 

I was pretty sure I would get a question like that and it is a 2dr 4x4 zr2 xtreme I think the xtreme is like a gfx package it have xtreme on both doors and zr2 on the rear quarter pannels 31 inch tires and a factory 3 inch lift composite skid plates thats all I can try to explain if I could take pictures I would but its 4 hours away right now when I have it back Ill put up some pictures.