Got some questions on a 4.3 to 4.3 swap

[balls_to_the_wall]

Ok I currently have a 89 S10 4x4 with the 4.3L TBI. I am planning to (this summer) swap out the current engine and transmission to a 96+ 4.3 engine and tranny (4L60E?). I am wondering what all needs to be swaped over.
I know of the fuel pump needs to be changed, the wiring all needs to be done up for the ODBII computer and stuff. I am also planning on fiberglasssing a console to put the electronic 4x4 controls where the current knob is.
Has anyone done this swap, what do I need to keep in mind as I prepare for this and look to find parts. The engine will bolt right up, but will the transmission also bolt up?
The current engine tranny work fine, but I want that extra 50hp (plus I would probably tickle some more power out of it) and someting with less than 150k miles on it because I plan on having this truck for atleast 4 years and its going to be taken cross country a couple times probably.

So, what problems are common with this swap, what all do I need to get (I am thinking of just buying a wrecked vehicle) Ideas on how much it is going to cost (I think somewhere around 1200). And just basic information.

Thanks,

-Ryan

[OverBoardProject]

Just wondering why you would want to go from an older school 4.3L to a newer one?

It's a lot of work for very little gain.

I would think that your better off just rebuiding your stock motor to the spec's that you want.

I've done simular swaps twice, and you'll need both shop manuals, with wire and vaccum diagrams.

Plus about a month of spare time to perfect everything.

A welder will help, and so will a torch set.

1 car turned out great, and gave me several years of good service.
The second one ended up being a lemon, even though I had thought it out more and done more work on it.

If I can't talk you out of it I'll wish you good luck!

[rlith]

Engine

Engine Harness

If you're adding in the electronic 4x4 to the odbii system you will need the body harness from the 96

BCM

All related sensor

Transmission

4x4 transfer case from the 96 (because of the electronic vac controls)

You will need to reprogram the ECM to delete the airbag system

If you don't have the 4wd abs you'll be looking at installing the 95-97 abs module and all related to that...

Lots of wiring... Get both the 89 and 96/97 shop manuals (actual gm manuals, not chilton or haynes)

[herkyhawki]

Ditto on OverBdP.. comment. Your time and money would be better spent rebuilding and upgrading the 89 than converting over to 96 system. Take a hint from the sport car tuners. The first thing many of them do when they add high performance mods is to convert backwards from OBD2 to OBD1.

[balls_to_the_wall]

The main reason I was wanting to do this is to get the increased power, figured it would be more reliable, and somewhat cheaper.
Thanks for all your information, I believe I have just been talked out of it.
And overboard, yes, I can weld and torch so that part is fixed, plus my dad has a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a full service machine shop for his toys so any machining that needs done or anthing along those lines he can do for me, (or show me how to do it).

What is best to replace on the 4.3 TBI to get it up to around 210+ hp and still be fuel economic?

Thanks for all the information

-Ryan

[OverBoardProject]

With just a high end street cam, new lifters and some head machine work you should be there. Possibly even more power.

Personally I would change the bolts on the bottom end to ARP or simular

Get the heads ported, along with the intake manifold to match.

Headers will help, along with a high flow exhaust system.

You'll probably have to get the computer programed for the full results, but you'll also be very impressed with the everything.

The best part is it'll still be reliable.

Some people might try talking you into a 350, but your truck will outhandle any v8 S-10

[balls_to_the_wall]

Also, should I look into any suspension upgrads also? I don't want a lift, and its 4x4, so I'm sure not gonna lower it. Should I keep the factory throttle body, or get a better one?

Thanks

-Ryan

[OverBoardProject]

The only real suspension upgrade for your truck is shocks. Chevy did a pretty good job actually over enginering the entire frame and suspension