1983 s10 engine swap

[montec]

Does any body know where I maybe able to get information on putting a 3.8L v-6 into my truck i have a 2.8 and it is too weak for my style. any help apprevciated

[chevelleman]

why not try and find a 4.3 v6 they put those engines in from the factory and would bolt right in the problem with a 3.8 is that they were set up for front wheel drive cars unless you find one from a late model camaro which would cause you a lot more headache trying to stick in ur s10 not only that but the 4.3 has a lot of torque and you would be much happier with it in my oppinion

[calgary_redneck]

Originally Posted by chevelleman

why not try and find a 4.3 v6 they put those engines in from the factory and would bolt right in the problem with a 3.8 is that they were set up for front wheel drive cars unless you find one from a late model camaro which would cause you a lot more headache trying to stick in ur s10 not only that but the 4.3 has a lot of torque and you would be much happier with it in my oppinion

K there is so much information here I"m not sure where to start. The 2.8's are from the 60 degree v-6 family (2.8,3.1,3.4) they have a different belhousing partern to the 90 degree v-6 (4.3) they will not interchange easily. If you want to put in a 4.3 you will need a different transmission with the right bolt pattern plus a different transfere case if its 4x4 upgraded axles, different accesery brakets, motor mounts, larger rad, different exhaust and probably a few more things I can't think of right now. It wouldn't be much harder just to swap in a v-8 if you go that far. As for the 3.8 you mention I assume you mean the buick 3.8 how ever this again is a different bolt pattern and to put that engine in a blazer would require alot of fabrication (motor mounts exc). I'm not trying to be descuraging but just be aware of whats its gonna take to up grade the engine

[msclcrmn]

I am currently planning this swap for my 84 s10 blazer. Here is what i have been told. 1986 to 1988 buick FWD engines have the RWD mounts cast into the blocks. RWD mounts buick to 2.8 pad can be purchased from advance adapters. The 3.8 used in FWD applications has the 60 degree corporate bellhousing pattern. that means it will bolt to the 2.8's trans. I intend to retain my 700r4. I am currently researching the torque conv. because I was told by one source that it did not have the right bolt pattern for the buick flex plate. I am hoping thats just a minor issue easily solved by using a different torque converter.

[onetirefire88]

Originally Posted by montec

Does any body know where I maybe able to get information on putting a 3.8L v-6 into my truck i have a 2.8 and it is too weak for my style. any help apprevciated

i have an 88 2 wheel drive that i put a 1996 3800 out of a camaro in and i have had to make almost every thing for it. i had to cut most of the main cross member out of the front because of the center sump oil pan, box in the frame on the passenger side for the ac compressor and notch out for the starter on the driver side. as for as the tranny goes i used the stock bell housing but had to cut out for the starter because the 3800 is on the oppisite side of the motor compared to a 2.5 or 2.8. i had a local exhaust shop make my lower radiator hose ot of steel because finding a formed rubber on was not possible. i used a stock 2.5 radiator because the cooling capacity is only a half of quart different between the camaro and the truck. i am not sure of the flex plate and the converter problem because i used a t5 5 speed. as for as the exhaust goes i have have not made them yet. the stock camaro manifold dumps out on the control arm so it will not work and a 3.8 camaro header will not work with out modification. this swap is alot of work but it is something different and new. good luck

[chevydrummer76]

might as well put in a 350 if you have to do major modifiications

[BleedDodge]

A 400 SBC would be wicked in a little truck like that...

[onetirefire88]

yes the 4.3 has good tourqe but do you want to be like everyone else that puts a carbed 350 or vortech 4.3 in your s-10. it is alot of work but in the end i think it is worth it because a stock 3800 makes 200 horses and when you get into stock supercharged models your up to 240. the 3800 uses a more advanced injection systen than a 4.3 and will turn more rpm plus uses the 60 degree bellhousing so you dont have to use a different tranny. a big plus is that you can get 25 miles to the gallon with 3800. i have never seen a carbed 350 get that.

[montec]

I know I haven't check back since my last post sorry got caught up on another project. I am still planning on if the next option I post doesn't pull though whch I doubt. But yeah as most people are going with the vortec or 350, I like to mix things up a bit. The 3.8L that I had before in my 2nd car kick major butt. It keeped up with a talon till he hit 5th gear @115mph uphill add you skeptics. I prefer the 3.8 per the fact that the distributer is in the front not in the back so therefor I shouldn't have to smash the firewall in to get it to fit and change or repair. But now on to my next option that I have devised in my head of puting in the NEW 572ci big block into the 4X4 with hopfully a 6speed behind it with some improvements in the axles abnd transfer case. Any insite is appreciated