4.3 Vortec in a FJ40

[arab2112]

Has anyone done this? I have a friend who is interested in doing this swap. Pros and Cons? How well is low-end torque? Do you need better gearing, ie 4.56? What about freeway power for passing? Jsome of the questions,

Arab2112

[5spd]

Ive seen one here in Chico, even talked to the guy at the shop when I was gettin my gears and it was really done up nice, looked stock from the factory almost. Not sure who he was but if I see him at the shop or in town Ill tell him to hit this board. Yea I know not much help, but its been done.
<IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0">

[Whamo]

I'v pondered this myself,

This link is the best vortec cruiser i have seen, http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~jrice/Cruiser.html

I've heard of people doing the 4.3, but I have not seen any literature <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0">

[dog walker]

I've worked on a couple cruisers with 4.3/700R4 swaps, very nice! I really like the power and torqe of those boogers! Plus you cant beat how well they fit under the hood. And 15-20MPG ain't bad either.

Jeff

[woody]

With a little luck, I'll be doing a 4.3 - SM465 - 203 - early-TC swap this winter. Got most of the parts collected, just need to get the 203 - TC adapter one of these days.

[morgan]

Butch Lewis (ButchBuilt) in Napa, CA has a 4.3L vortec in his 40. He likes it a lot. Plenty of go for a 40, stays cool, fits well, idles all the time, etc.

He's (707) 257-3454, butchblt@pacbell.net.

morgan

[wngrog]

George from CV Unlimited runs one too, he loves it and it is a very clean swap.

[ginericfj80]

We have 2 4.3s in our club right now and by fall we will have 4. The oldest conversion was done about 4 years ago. He runs a 465 tranny to a 3spd case. He ran 32x11.50s more of that time and got an honest 22-26 mpg with those tires. I went on many a trail run with him and watched my odometer and his fuel slips. He runs a 350 Throttle Body on the 4.3 intake. I'm not sure how he compensates for this with his computer. But it has power. We tease him a lot because it sounds like a motorboat on steroids. Now he is running 33 Boggers 13.50 width maybe larger. Gas mileage has been compromised he says but it goes anywhere. Another member of our club runs the newer central port type injection. He only runs 31s and a 700r4. He says he gets in the mid 20s running around town. I haven't verified this though. The neat thing about his conversion is his rear driveshaft was not compromised because of the shorter motor even with the long auto. Neither one has email so I cannot help you out there, but I can relay messages.

[AZFJ]

SWEET!!!...My buddy is doing a V8 swap in his 95 Chevy truck!!!...He says I can have his 4.3 vortech with TBI riser plate , JBA nickel coated shorty headers, all complete with about 80,000 miles on the odometer for $500...this engine kicks out about 230 horses (that is in his truck...you would never guess that it was a V6 when you ride in it!!! )......I have a SM420 now...Do I need a adapter or a new bell housing???...He also wants to sell the 5-speed too!!!...It's a two wheel drive...so I don't know how to get that to convert to my transfer case...Any thoughts on this deal???

[DCruiser138]

i also would like tyo know if a 420 tranny would hold up to this engine. not just hold up but bolt up too <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">. im definatly not doing this coinversion ANY time soon but down the road ya know...i can dream cant i <IMG SRC="smilies/question.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

[AZFJ]

..I want to start this A.S.A.P.....well as soon as my friend gets that sucker out !!!!!!
<IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0"> ...Anyone know the answer??????...4.3 to SM420?????......Thanx....~CLINT~....

[dale knorr]

i have a 73 fj with a 4.3 ranger under drive. sm 420. i used a older bellhousing, one with engine mounts on it, early chevy my engine sits more to the front,used old mounts on frame. for bellhousing.my runing gear mounts in 6 places,engine,bellhousing,transfer case,

[DaveWFO]

I just finished a 2000 5.3 Vortec in a FJ40 last week. Finally got to drive it last sunday for the first time. Also put in a 4L60E with a Altas 4.3 and Dana 60. All I can say is that that was the best thing I could of done.

It drives killer and keeps pulling.

Good Luck

Dave

[crawlin cruiser]

do the 4.3 vortecs bolt up to an sm420?

[AZFJ]

...I can handle the truth!!...Where were you on the night of July 25th?...And does the 4.3 vortech bolt up to a stock SM420???....Bueller??....Anyone????? <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Cruiser Ken]

A guy in our club has the 4.3 mated to a 420, I don't know the details of how he did it.

[coyote]

Any comments on how everyone likes what they've done? Currently debating pulling my 350 as it seems to have problems anyhow.....

[FJ-Dave]

yes the 4.3 will bolt up to a 420, it will infact bolt up to anything a small block will. it's just a 350 with 2 cylinders cut out.
90 degree V6, as apposed to the 2.8, 3.1, 3.4, and 3.8 that are 60 degree V6s.