94 4.3 SS hopefully swap for 383

[94S10SS383]

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

[OverBoardProject]

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.

[94S10SS383]

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?

[OverBoardProject]

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

[94S10SS383]

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.

[OverBoardProject]

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

[94S10SS383]

I will be glad to.

[OverBoardProject]

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

[94S10VORTEC]

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.

[rpage]

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.