I want to know which should I go for. 2.8 v6 with 5 speed or 4.3 with auto or 5 speed. I'm look for between 1985-1992 s10 for better gasmileage for my drive daily to work forward and backward. Let me know. Also i still look one to buy. Still no luck. I'd cash 1500

 

Definitely 4.3

The 2.8 is horrible, gutless, and probably doesn't get that great of gas mileage.

 

Buddy of mine made the 2.8 to 4.3 upgrade in his S10 when he bought a new truck. Same mileage, twice as much *****.

 

Def 4.3 auto. Great power and decent mileage.

 

I'd look for the stick if possible. Mileage for the S10's isn't exactly stellar.

 

I'm going to definitely be the oddball here, but I speak from experience. I've had 4 s10s:

94' 2.2 5 speed x cab
00' 2.2 5 speed x cab
01' 4.3 5 speed x cab
91' 2.8 5 speed standard cab

The 2.2s we're absolute garbage for power, and mileage wasn't that great, this is irrelevant since you are looking older though. The 4.3 has decent power, but gets around 17 mpg or so. My 2.8 had 153,000 when I bought it, 215,000 when I sold it, and my roommate now owns it with over 250,000. It still clicks off mid 20s for mpg and is pretty much dead reliable. I knew the past 2 owners before me, they put it through hell, I wasn't easy on it, and neither is my roommate.

If you want some pep, go for the 4.3 auto or manual, I personally think the 2.8 would kill the 4.3 in gas mileage from my own experience if that is all you're after. I'd look for a 91 - 93, they have the better front end and the early kinks of the 2.8 had been worked out by then.

 

you like 2.8 better?

 

4.3 all the way.. They are pretty peppy, parts are all over the place for them

 

Just depends what you are after. For power? No, I'd take the 4.3, but for mpg the 2.8 rocked in that department for me. The 2.8 was rated 125hp/125torque I believe, but those 1st gens weigh hardly anything. The 4.3 were about 180horse/250torque or so.

I still have an excel sheet I kept back when I had my 2.8. Here is a copy of the last 11 fill up's I had before I sold it. Hopefully it shows up correctly on your screen, I had to do some spacing adjustments.
Beg Mil Gallon End Mil Ave MPG
207,749 16.508 208,225 28.83
208,225 14.291 208,632 28.48
208,632 13.846 209,003 26.79
209,003 17.247 209,466 26.85
209,466 14.291 209,853 27.08
209,853 16.310 210,304 27.65
210,304 10.543 210,569 25.14
210,569 13.991 210,941 26.59
210,941 14.090 211,347 28.81
211,347 13.249 211,667 24.15
211,667 15.458 212,113 28.85

 

Well hell I gonna vote for a 4.8 upgrade since that is what I eventually wanna do to my s-10... with a little boost too haha.


4.3 though, I kinda wish I had that over my 2.2L.