94 4.3 SS hopefully swap for 383

Well Hi guys I am new to this forum well any forum for that matter...let me just start with I have a 94 S-10 SS 4.3 it does have the suspension upgrade that they are known for that year. I have been having problems with coolant leakage...oh yeah i know it is bad if you smell gas in the radiator?? But that is how I fould I had that the head gasket was blown as well as freeze plugs "problems" ... but i caught it too late to prevent it even further .
I have already bought a 355 wanting to upgrade even further to 383 stroker and tube chassis for the rear as well as other goodies but I have finacial problems right now so ill hold off. I want to wait on the 383 and fix the 4.3 now ...I MISS MY TRUCK.... I am happy with the look of the truck.....I love the vette so I wanted to make it resemble a vette. the idea: vette + s-10 + steriods= 1994 383 Stroked S-10


but to get the the main point of why I started this forum....I have looked for people who had S-10's like mine and could maybe help me with it ..... u guys may email me or message me anytime.... maybe i could provide some help also.....Josh near Charlotte NC

I've never done any V8 swaps in a chevy, although I know that there are lots of parts for it.

What I do know is that it would be cheaper to get a 400 small block built than a stroker. Plus you would get more power.

If you take the oil pan off a 400 block and see thick cylinder walls at the bottom it's a good block that shouldn't overheat.

yeah the 400 is great but but i think we are in the same boat period with the transplant...i have the fiirst year of S-10 when they changed the body style 94-97 with front end..but I dont know if that matters in a transplant.. I also have the 4L60E tranny ....its the same as in automatice vettes and i put $1,300 in a complete rebuild of it with the vette package(2nd-3rd gear servo package)i could defineklty tell a difference in performance...so what tranny would u use with 400 turbo 350? 400 turbo?

From what I understand the tranny that's in your S10 will work with a 400. Although it might not be strong enough for a done up V8. The Vettes transmission is the better choice.

Personally I would like to put in a 6 speed from a Vette, or Camaro in something the size, and weight of a S10, along with a 500+hp supercharged engine + add nitrous. But then I can be a little power hungry at times

yeah ...oh yeah power at the push of a button....yup ...or just keep it simple as to put the gas to the floor and let the supercharger do the rest may not need nitrous.

That sounds like it'll be one fast, sweet ride. You'll have to send in photo's when your done the swap.

I will be glad to.

Check out the new toy I have in my photo gallery. Doesn't it look like it would be fun to drive with a 400ci motor, and something like your Vette transmission? And that's my OverBoardProject in the background... still requiring alot more work

I have news for who ever is doing the 400 swap. With out cutting your wheel wells your headers will not fit unless you find a 400 small block which is rare and which will also not mate to any newer transmission out of a vette which means you will need an adaptor or a different tranny. The easiest swap which you find the most parts for is a 350. Just becaus it is 50ci less than what you are looking for the cost will be much less to build up and there are a ton of aftermarket parts for this swap and the vette tranny will bolt right up because you can get late model blocks for cheap. Good luck.

We are talking about a 400 small block here, not the 396 big block your probably thinking of. And I know it will clear headers no problem, I've seen this swap in this bodystyle before. If worst comes to worst, just buy shorty headers. A 400 small block is real easy to find to, I have 3 myself, 1 built for a racecar, and 2 spares that need rebuilt. So they are easy to find.