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4.3L question - Is it worth buying a set of Vortec heads to put on my 4.3?

handloader90

handloader90

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I've got a 4.3L out of a 93 K1500.

Doesn't have the true Vortec heads on it.

The 113 casting heads seem to be the best 4.3L heads, the ones I'm looking at came from the factory bolt down roller rockers.

$300 for a set. Don't know if I wanna pull the trigger on them.

Either way I'll be going ith an Edelbrock 4 barrel, dual plane intake. The 2111 (Non-Vortec) and 2114 (Vortec) intakes cost the same amount.

Is it worth doing the head swap?
 
On that flattie I doubt there’s any noticeable power gain due to the weight.

Only real gain would be if your current heads have an issue.

And flight switch for the win ....
 
Bent77 said:
On that flattie I doubt there’s any noticeable power gain due to the weight.

Only real gain would be if your current heads have an issue.

And flight switch for the win ....
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The guy I got the 4.3L was an older fellow and seemed like an honest guy. He said the engine was running fine when he pulled it to replace with a newer, lower mileage engine so I will assume that it's good to go.

I don't wanna regret not putting Vortec heads on the engine now while it's just sitting here and then end up doing it later on down the road. I'd have to swap to the Vortec style intake... more $$$.

You saw the little ignition panel, huh?
 
vandelay industries said:
What are your goals for the build?
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Just a good, reliable engine. I want the most out of factory components but this will not be a performance build by any means.

I really like the idea of the roller rockers and just having to torque the rockers to spec vs. adjusting them with studs/nuts.

The 113 castings came with a stud/nut style and the bolt down style, the set I'm looking at on eBay is the bolt down style.
 
IMO not worth it. The 4.3 is a real reliable engine will take a ton of abuse very anemic not lots of power. That being said not worth putting $300 into unless it is for your race class, nothing else will fit or its the OG engine in something rare. $300 will get a same vintage 350 that will use all the same components and bolt into the same spot.
So what I am saying is no reason to do, at all, unless its one of those three or something just as unique.
 
kgblazerfive said:
IMO not worth it. The 4.3 is a real reliable engine will take a ton of abuse very anemic not lots of power. That being said not worth putting $300 into unless it is for your race class, nothing else will fit or its the OG engine in something rare. $300 will get a same vintage 350 that will use all the same components and bolt into the same spot.
So what I am saying is no reason to do, at all, unless its one of those three or something just as unique.
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Hes stuffing it in a flat fender. so not a lot of room. yes a 350 fits but the extra 5" of clearance from a 4.3 is a god send in my opinion


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4.3s don’t make a ton to begin with and if your in there anyway I would.. not saying the std head wouldn’t cut it but any boost in power will help and it’ll make more torque.
 
Need more info on the application; Weight, vehicle etc.

i have a non vortec 4.3 and it does just fine. It's a 2WD basic longbed and although i've never tried to tow anything heavy, it has no problems going 65, 75mph when empty.

So, i'm leaning towards that the new heads are unnecessary, but we need more info.
 
The 4.3 should be powerful enough as-is--some of them were only 10HP or so less than a 350...just about any engine is better than the weeny 4 banger they came with...also,remember more power means things can break easier!...
 
When I was going to do a 4.3 in my s10 all the research I did basically netted me that vortec head swap on a 4.3 wasnt anywhere the diamond it is on an SBC. Once I started doing pricing I threw the towel in and put a 305 in it.
 
Stomis said:
When I was going to do a 4.3 in my s10 all the research I did basically netted me that vortec head swap on a 4.3 wasnt anywhere the diamond it is on an SBC. Once I started doing pricing I threw the towel in and put a 305 in it.
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LOL who swaps a 305 into anything? I knew a guy way back in tech school that took a 305 powered Monte Carlo SS and stroked it to a 331. I think it still was a turd.
 
Truckman4life said:
LOL who swaps a 305 into anything? I knew a guy way back in tech school that took a 305 powered Monte Carlo SS and stroked it to a 331. I think it still was a turd.
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Lol $100 good motor from a buddy. It will probably wind up with a LO5 in it down the road but once one small block fits they all do. I really wasnt looking for a hot rod, its just a trail rig and a light one at that.
 
Even a lowly 305 can do pretty well in a light vehicle..like an S-10..

I saw a '77 Chevette someone stuffed a 305 and TH350 into years ago,the guy destroyed the ring and pinion in less than a week,doing donuts and smoking the 13" tires off it!..he then found a late 60's 9" ford Bronco rear axle to put under it with leaf springs..car was an abortion,but it was pretty darn fast,it beat a lot of much nicer "muscle cars" in stoplight races..

Several years ago I saw a 90's Dodge Caravan like the one I drove back some years ago, at a car show,all tricked out..the owner put a 305 & TH400 in it,somehow retained the original steering and front struts,and put a rear wheel drive car diff in the back out of something with a close track width..
It had leaf springs already,the guy said he had to put the engine & trans in mounted quite low,so he wouldn't have to make a tunnel for the drive shaft..He claimed it could do over 100 mph in a 1/8 mile with it..I was skeptical,but who knows ?..

It had a full cage in it,and one racing type bucket seat,that was it..--when the guy drove off,it had no trouble laying down rubber in all three gears,almost lost it when it went in third,it slid sideways..
I still have that '93 Caravan sitting in the yard..after seeing his,I was tempted..but I'm not about to take on that kind of project now..
 
Some 305s are just freaks. The one in my monte with a mechanical qjet and big cap vacuum hei was something for nothing but a 305 with cranked timing.
 
What i meant was, you stated that you just want a good reliable engine and not trying to make a performance build.

In that case a stock, non-vortec 4.3 should do well. Other than the fact that i can't tow worth a damn (and the 2.56 rear probably has something to do with that), it otherwise runs very well and reasonably speaking it doesn't feel like it lacks power (i know this is subjective, but reasonably speaking......).

But we do need more info such as weight and gears.

2) Does your 93 engine have a balance shaft? If so, will the 2114 intake even work?
 
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