I have been doing a lot of reading (and searching) on here about putting a 1998 Vortec 4.3 into my 1992 Toy 4X4. I have the engine and the oil pan looks like it would clear the IFS diff, but I dont know. I want to use the stock 5-speed and maybe a AA bell housing adaptor. Is it possible to install this engine without a suspension lift or SAS?? AA says that I would need a susp. lift. Is there anyone (AA does not make one) who makes a oil pan to clear the IFS? I do not mind a body lift, but I do not want to do a suspension lift. Would I be better off getting a 1993-1995 4.3 and buying a modified oil pan that will clear the ifs? Thanks for any input and all of the great reading on here.

Eric

i think you might have missed the whole "extreme rock crawling" theme we have going on around here. try www.mallcrawlersRus.com

Yeah, I did get the feeling that this is a big rock crawling forum. I just want more power from my Toy. The 22RE sucks. Still I have read about a lot of 4.3 swaps just haven't found the answers to my previous questions. We do a lot of off-roading here too, but we do it in rail buggies.

Cheers..
Eric

Yes, the oil pan will be VERY close to the upper supports for the IFS (did one in a 92 also), but thats if you use any bolt on style of motor mounts without modifieing them.. But to answer your question, yes, you can do it...

How much room did you have between the top of the breather/whatever and the hood? Couldn't I raise the engine mounts a little more to add more oil pan clearance? What bell housing adapter did you use?

Thanks for any additional info..


Eric

Yes, you might be able to raise the motor, but the configuration of the bolt on mounts probably won't let you, unless you built your own (if you do a search on crash and 4.3, you will see what I have done)

I think we used (the 92 wans't mine, just another 4.3 I was involved in) the AA bellhousing....

Crash, I have a few more questions if you do not mind (it might be better if I emailed you)..

What year Vortec did you use?

Who did your wiring? I am pretty good with wiring, but this one looks tricky. I am not sure if I need a VSS or not, and the thing has 3 O2 sensors. I will send the harness/computer (I know I need a 1996 comp without vats- read about that) off if I have to. I want to eliminate anything that I do not need

Can I use my Toy fuel pump? I think it has enough pressure for the 4.3 (60-70 lbs?) Not sure what the toy actually has or what the vortecs require. I was looking at the vortec fuel lines and I see a pressure, return and a evap line. Can the evap line just be plugged off?

What did you use for headers/manifolds? The ones I have are both cast iron and rear dump, but I have some off of an older 4.3 that are steel and one has a rear dump and the other dumps in the middle. I am not sure if they will fit or which one is best.

How much body lift did you use?


A lot of the problems I can work around as far as mechanics goes. I can weld/fabricate etc.

The main concern was the oil pan clearance.. now that I know that will work, I can figure some of the other things out.

Thanks again for the time!!


Eric