94 4.3 to SBC…

1079 Views 21 Replies 7 Participants Last post by gmorin07, 8 mo ago

gmorin07

Discussion Starter · 8 mo ago

Hey All,
Ok so this is where I am at… truck, engine lol. I believe I can use my transmission and I’m going carbureted as well. I’m bought the book from JTR which I’m waiting for and I know the answers are out here somewhere but I was hoping maybe someone would have some answers after 2013 lol.
Thanks
Glenn

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oldeerslayer

· #2 · 8 mo ago (Edited)

Best thing you can do is start reading the posts in this section of the forum (V8 Discussion). The more of them you read the more you will know about how to do an SBC swap.
I swapped a 350 SBC into a 94 RCSB 4WD 20+ years ago and drove it regularly for 16 years. I could walk you thru the process one nut and bolt at a time, but the instant I read the word "carbureted" I lost all interest in helping. You want to cobble up your truck, you can do it yourself. Keeping the TBI system would be easier, cheaper, and make for a cleaner swap, run better, and be totally reliable.
If you want old fashioned tech, why not get a horse?
Are you building a daily or a drag racing truck? Got a $500 or 5K budget? Gonna drive it like you stole it or like your Granny would? Care if the environmentalists are happy? Speaking of which - got to pass any inspections or emissions?
What year sbc do you have and which version? They can be anything from a 1970 370HP LT1 to an 84 California smog choked 305 with 130HP. (Less than your current 4.3)
I will make one exception to my carb policy. If you have a genuine all original 1970 LT1 - you can keep that carb. It's a priceless heirloom.

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gmorin07

Discussion Starter · #3 · 8 mo ago

I believe it’s a 91 if my memory serves me… sorry you don’t like carbureted lol. I just want the install clean and nice looking… I don’t believe I have any issues with inspection down here. Budget overall is probably 2-3k overall. But that’s for everything…it’s going to be a DD that I can have some fun with.
thanks for the help!
Glenn

bk2life

· #4 · 8 mo ago

gmorin07 said:
sorry you don’t like carbureted lol.

its not he, or we, don’t like carbureted, its just no reason to use them anymore.

gmorin07 said:
I just want the install clean and nice looking

everyone does, that’s sort of a given.

gmorin07 said:
I don’t believe I have any issues with inspection down here.

you need to find out, or you might make a paperweight, or drag only vehicle

gmorin07 said:
Budget is 2-3k for everything…

you’ll need to double that. I mean, it can be done, if you have the knowledge and all the parts ready to go. But, it wont be ‘clean and nice looking’ because that costs money to make happen.

gmorin07 said:
it’s going to be a DD that I can have some fun with.

as it rightfully should be. But, you don’t know what engine you have, so if you install a V8 for $4k into your truck, and find out it has less HP than the v6 you removed, you’d be pretty upset. Also, depending on where you are located, a DD with a carb is usually not real fun to drive. That’s why nothing comes with a carb since like mid 90s..

youre doing the right there here, research. Asking questions, getting ideas. What is your goal with this truck? What does ‘have some fun with it’ really mean?

It cost, and is still costing me, a lot more than what I had planned with my truck, just to have some fun with it. I’ve got your swap budget just in my braking system..

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Boshears

· #5 · 8 mo ago

gmorin07 said:
I believe it’s a 91 if my memory serves me… sorry you don’t like carbureted lol. I just want the install clean and nice looking… I don’t believe I have any issues with inspection down here. Budget overall is probably 2-3k overall. But that’s for everything…it’s going to be a DD that I can have some fun with.
thanks for the help!
Glenn

It can be done for that budget.

gmorin07

Discussion Starter · #6 · 8 mo ago

I love and I mean love the square body but… can’t find one for anything close to decent money! So I have the 94 lol. But it does have a 4.3 so at least some of the parts will transfer. I just don’t know what needs to be done wiring wise to run carbureted?
Thank you
Glenn

oldeerslayer

· #7 · 8 mo ago

Nothing to wiring a carbed engine. Pink to coil, purple to starter and dark green to water temp. If you want to keep the A/C and Cruise that's a few more wires. But if the trans is a 4L60E you'll need a stand alone harness for that. They can cost a bit and require some skill to install.

gmorin07

Discussion Starter · #8 · 8 mo ago (Edited by Moderator)

Great… now I have to find out which transmission is in the thing lol. Where would I look?

manbearpig

· #9 · 8 mo ago

A 94 would have a 4L60e auto or an NV3500 manual, no other option with the 4.3l

Reactions: 1

gmorin07

Discussion Starter · #10 · 8 mo ago

Well thank you… now I need a transmission harness. I’ll look that up and see what that’s gonna run me.

oldeerslayer

· #11 · 8 mo ago

That was my point in my initial reply. When you start changing things to how it used to be done there's more to it than meets the eye initially. Have you figured out how you're going to lower your fuel pressure from 15psi to 5 psi? You'll need a pressure regulator. A return style works best.
A word of advice from someone whose made the mistake and regretted it, don't cut off an unused wires when changing fuel systems. If at a later date you decide to go a different route, it's a lot more work to add them back on. Just wrap them up in the harness along with the ones you are using.

Reactions: 1

gmorin07

Discussion Starter · #12 · 8 mo ago

Thank you, I will head that advice for sure!.

gmorin07

Discussion Starter · #13 · 8 mo ago

Is there a less expensive option for the transmission adapter I would need for the 4.3 transmission?

Rhotpursuit

· #14 · 8 mo ago

gmorin07 said:
Is there a less expensive option for the transmission adapter I would need for the 4.3 transmission?

Adapter for what reason?

gmorin07

Discussion Starter · #15 · 8 mo ago

I was told the 4.3 out of a 94 would not work with out the addition of the stand alone harness. Sorry not adapter

Rhotpursuit

· #16 · 8 mo ago

gmorin07 said:
I was told the 4.3 out of a 94 would not work with out the addition of the stand alone harness. Sorry not adapter

Gotcha...just clarifying.

gmorin07

Discussion Starter · #17 · 8 mo ago

I cannot find one of those short of $500.00… any suggestions?

Rhotpursuit

· #18 · 8 mo ago

@oldeerslayer might have a thought on where to get them.

gmorin07

Discussion Starter · #19 · 8 mo ago

Thanks!

KJF95S-10

· #20 · 8 mo ago

Man idk how people stomach putting carbs on a build these days. Every carb engine I've torn apart with even 80-100k on it has a ridge at the top of the cylinder. That's all the reason I need to avoid them. Thats about the time engines were due for complete rebuild in the heyday of carbs in the 60's.

Mallory 4309 is the regulator you need to drop fuel pressure from 12 so psi down to the 4psi needed for carb. I used it years ago on a TBI to carb swap and it works well. Ironically I'm in the process of converting that same truck to run on a 411 pcm and tpi intake. So the regulator is for sale if you want it.

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