Just, bought a 4.3 vortec, now what? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

dr_claw · 05-17-2002, 12:11 AM

Has anyone ever put one of these guys in their cruisers? I looked everywhere for info and I can't find any on wiring, mounts, and stuff. Pics? Also, all you cruiser heads, I want to run a sm420 with the conversion... so dose the bellhousing bolt up? I really need help with this so any info would be great. One thing I know, this will be sweet when done. I know 1 of ya'll will ask for specs so...

Eventually in three months...

My 1980 FJ40
Alu. tub with sliders + fender guards
Full cage with lots of spreaders
2.5" poo comp lift
35's
4.3 vortec
sm420
3 spd case with xtreme bends adapter
cv shafts
other stuff I really don't need

Thanks guys.

(Not bad for a nubie right?

)

bkfj40 · 05-17-2002, 04:29 AM

I'd sell it to the next unsuspecting soul...

I've seen so many 4.3L go into my brother in laws shop it is almost unreal. He is into 4Runners and was thinking about swapping one into his truck...now that he's had to replace so many of his customers and also replace lots of manifold gaskets, he curses 'em up and down...

On the other hand, maybe you'll be lucky....

COMPLAINE · 05-17-2002, 07:51 AM

Several people have 4.3 V6's in their Cruzers - Butch Lewis in Napa for one. The ones I have seen have an SM465 behind them. Makes for an easy install, lots of room and easier to keep cool than a V8, and better economy - you just lose out a bit on HP. The install is basically the same as doing a V8 swap - you just have more room in front of the motor. The 4.3 is a nice torquey motor - I'd say go for it

Oh, yes, a 420 bellhousing will bolt right up - the bolt patern on the V6 4.3 is the same as a V8.

Cruiser Ken · 05-17-2002, 10:22 PM

A friend, who is a mechanic, has a 4.3L vortec in his FJ40 runnin' a 420 and 3 spd case. It kicks ass and gets good gas mileage as well, 18+. Get to it.

DaveWFO · 05-18-2002, 12:25 AM

Don't know what year you bought, But I have some of the wiring schmatics on my site, I know you can use a 97 or older ECM on the 98 4.6 and you don't have to have it programmed. ( don't know about the other years. Check out my site, it needs work but has some good info in there. I just did a 2000 5.3 Vortec/4L60E/ Atlas 4.3 and Dana 60 in my cruiser and am just finishing up all the little bugs and nick nack shit.

http://home.attbi.com/~rittiman2/Cruiser/index.htm

Good luck and hope you have a money in your wallet !

Zak just finished redoing my ecm that I had done buy someone else about 6 months ago. These newer motors are sweet and run so smooth and good HP numbers. Speed scene does the reprogramming of the ECMs and does wiring.

Zach
210 651 1895

Speed Scene
18975 Marbock Ln
San Antonio, TX
78266

Dave

DaveWFO · 05-18-2002, 12:28 AM

Almost forgot, if you have any questions check out the Vortec Cruiser newsgroup.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VORTECcruisers/

Dave

dr_claw · 05-18-2002, 02:06 AM

Thanks! I really needed the help and now I am a little more confident. Don't worry, I'll take lots of pics and post them as I work on the project. But still, any pics or nuthin?

05-17-2002, 12:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
dr_claw Granite Guru Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11222 Location: Vancouver, BC, CANADA EH! Posts: 794	Just, bought a 4.3 vortec, now what? Has anyone ever put one of these guys in their cruisers? I looked everywhere for info and I can't find any on wiring, mounts, and stuff. Pics? Also, all you cruiser heads, I want to run a sm420 with the conversion... so dose the bellhousing bolt up? I really need help with this so any info would be great. One thing I know, this will be sweet when done. I know 1 of ya'll will ask for specs so... Eventually in three months... My 1980 FJ40 Alu. tub with sliders + fender guards Full cage with lots of spreaders 2.5" poo comp lift 35's 4.3 vortec sm420 3 spd case with xtreme bends adapter cv shafts other stuff I really don't need Thanks guys. (Not bad for a nubie right? ) __________________ Quote: Originally Posted by 5thgear Or for $59 you could by 2 vibrators and hold them like handlebars Teaching Metalwork in Van City 88.5 Suzuki Samurai, Daily driver with locked toy axles. 77 FJ45 cut up with a bunch of misc crap

05-17-2002, 04:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
bkfj40 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9309 Location: harrisonburg, va Posts: 242	now what? I'd sell it to the next unsuspecting soul... I've seen so many 4.3L go into my brother in laws shop it is almost unreal. He is into 4Runners and was thinking about swapping one into his truck...now that he's had to replace so many of his customers and also replace lots of manifold gaskets, he curses 'em up and down... On the other hand, maybe you'll be lucky.... __________________ speed is the currency of the 21st century...

05-17-2002, 07:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
COMPLAINE Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Member # 2800 Location: Danville, Ca Posts: 1,083	Several people have 4.3 V6's in their Cruzers - Butch Lewis in Napa for one. The ones I have seen have an SM465 behind them. Makes for an easy install, lots of room and easier to keep cool than a V8, and better economy - you just lose out a bit on HP. The install is basically the same as doing a V8 swap - you just have more room in front of the motor. The 4.3 is a nice torquey motor - I'd say go for it Oh, yes, a 420 bellhousing will bolt right up - the bolt patern on the V6 4.3 is the same as a V8. __________________ Carpe Diem! Last edited by COMPLAINE; 05-17-2002 at 07:53 AM.

05-18-2002, 12:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
DaveWFO Rock God Join Date: Feb 2001 Member # 3229 Location: El Dorado, Ca Posts: 1,013	Don't know what year you bought, But I have some of the wiring schmatics on my site, I know you can use a 97 or older ECM on the 98 4.6 and you don't have to have it programmed. ( don't know about the other years. Check out my site, it needs work but has some good info in there. I just did a 2000 5.3 Vortec/4L60E/ Atlas 4.3 and Dana 60 in my cruiser and am just finishing up all the little bugs and nick nack shit. http://home.attbi.com/~rittiman2/Cruiser/index.htm Good luck and hope you have a money in your wallet ! Zak just finished redoing my ecm that I had done buy someone else about 6 months ago. These newer motors are sweet and run so smooth and good HP numbers. Speed scene does the reprogramming of the ECMs and does wiring. Zach 210 651 1895 Speed Scene 18975 Marbock Ln San Antonio, TX 78266 Dave __________________ 85 Runner, CanBack, Trail Ready Beadlocks, Marlin 4.7, Inchworm doubler, 37 MTR's Warn 8000i, Deroit , E Locker, 44044's front, Chevys in the rear. 30 spline Longs.

05-18-2002, 12:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
DaveWFO Rock God Join Date: Feb 2001 Member # 3229 Location: El Dorado, Ca Posts: 1,013	Almost forgot, if you have any questions check out the Vortec Cruiser newsgroup. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VORTECcruisers/ Dave __________________ 85 Runner, CanBack, Trail Ready Beadlocks, Marlin 4.7, Inchworm doubler, 37 MTR's Warn 8000i, Deroit , E Locker, 44044's front, Chevys in the rear. 30 spline Longs.

05-17-2002, 10:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cruiser Ken Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Member # 1797 Location: Gainesville, VA Posts: 1,361	A friend, who is a mechanic, has a 4.3L vortec in his FJ40 runnin' a 420 and 3 spd case. It kicks ass and gets good gas mileage as well, 18+. Get to it.

05-18-2002, 02:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
dr_claw Granite Guru Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11222 Location: Vancouver, BC, CANADA EH! Posts: 794	Thanks! I really needed the help and now I am a little more confident. Don't worry, I'll take lots of pics and post them as I work on the project. But still, any pics or nuthin? __________________ Quote: Originally Posted by 5thgear Or for $59 you could by 2 vibrators and hold them like handlebars Teaching Metalwork in Van City 88.5 Suzuki Samurai, Daily driver with locked toy axles. 77 FJ45 cut up with a bunch of misc crap

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