converting 89 4.3 into the 4.3 vortec

[meow700]

I was curious how hard (or if possible) it is to covert a 89 s10 blazer 4.3 engine into the 4.3 vortec engine

I have a 89 s10 blazer that i drive everyday recently it started shifting hard into 2nd gear

I aquired a 94 s10 blazer identicle to my 89 but with a slipping tranny and a blown motor

I was thinking about taking the 89 engine out and using the vortec stuff off the 94 and turning the regular 4.3 into the vortec

I would like to get the 94 running and part out my 89 because the body is nicer on the 94

Was just wondering how hard of a task this is i figured its probably possible as long as both 4.3's have the same block

[Chris Stewart]

Sounds like a neat project. I don't know if the '94 heads bolt onto the '89 block with no problem but if they do, basically you'll be installing everything onto the '89 shortblock. I hope someone who does know will share.

[blazes9395]

The '89 engine will work in the '94, but the '94 has a few differences. One major difference is that the '94 has a balancer shaft, the '89 does not. The '94 could have two knock sensors, wheras the '89 will have one. Also, don't forget the '94 has an electronic controlled transmission, so the old 700R4 will not just bolt up and plug in. The '89 engine will work, the intake will bolt up. So you still need to find a transmission, or rebuild the one on the '94. You could do that before you pull the '89 engine, have it all ready, and then drop the engine in. Sounds interesting, alot of work too.....

[riptide44]

actually - the electric trans didn't come out till late 95 when they switched to obd2 ... it would make more sense to rebuild the 94 engine .

[silicon212]

Not true - the 4L60E made its debut in 1993, the 4L80E two years before.

[blazes9395]

Silicon212 is right. I think the difference you are talking about is the way the TCC was applied. The '95 used a PWM strategy for applying the TCC, as for the earlier ones used a "on-off" apply. The '96+ used a different method, so thats why the '95 is so unique.

[Chris Stewart]

Since the heads will be off anyway, what about a 3 angle valve job with some valve pocket clean-up? A local performance machine shop could fix you up.
While you have them apart on the workbench, open the intake valve about 1/4 inch then shoot some WD40 straight into the middle of the intake port and observe the spray pattern coming past the valve...they don't call it vortec for nothing.