I'm about to buy a 99 GMC 1500 short bed reg cab, with the 4.3 V6 and 2wd. Currently the truck has 350k on it but a rebuilt tranny. The engine is dead. My co-worker (current owner) doesn't feel like investing the money to fix it as he has a nicer, bigger 2500 crew cab already. I'm trying to decide if I should just rebuild/replace the current 4.3, rebuild/mod/bore and stroke the current 4.3, or swap to a V8. The biggest reason for me to go V8 is so that if I need to put my Jeep on a trailer, I'll have the power to do it, or really to tow or haul anything up the rather large grades out here. However, I don't anticipate working the truck exceedingly hard on a regular basis. I'll be driving it to work everyday and to pick up parts for my Jeep, lumber/household items, etc. If I mod the 4.3, I'm thinking something in the range of a .030 overbore, a stroker kit (if I can even find this mythical beast) and then exhaust and intake - basically headers and hi flow cat/muffler and a CAI and maybe a valve job and some head work. Depends on costs and expected returns. If I do the modded 4.3 then I figure in a few yrs I can do the V8 swap and move the 4.3 to my Jeep. Don't get me wrong, I love the 4.0 in it but a 4.3 has similar power and is much shorter making work easier and the mods I plan would hopefully give a substantial increase in power.

 

welcome to the forum first off.
the motor swap.... just go ahead and do it cuz all the money u put in the 4.3 you will basically be gettin with a stock 4.8/5.3. you can find a good 5.3 or 6.0 on here for 1k or so. they are great for towing things like boats or jeeps! use the search button tho..... it should become your best friend!!!

 

I've been leaning towards a V8 a lot because of the extra power for just in case type scenarios, especially looking through the classifieds and seeing so many SS engines/trannys for sale...
I've got my Jeep to put back on the road so I'll have that to drive if it takes longer than planned to get the swap done.

 

Go with the V8 swap...you will be happy you did.....you can't beat them for towing.

 

 

I am in the same boat with you. I just bought a 97 reg cab with a 4.3 and 5speed. I want to do the V8 swap, but I am a little worried about the wiring.LOL. Mine only has 140,000 and runs pretty good, but I would rather have a V8 in there. Being that mine runs well, I am just going to take my time and gather everything I need including all the info on the swap and then do it.

 

Yeah, the wiring is my biggest worry too. It's been one of my life goals to own a V8 something...

 

Well, plans changed, I told my brother about the truck and he bought instead, did a tuneup, and for $300 total (including purchase price), the truck runs and runs good! He still plans on eventually doing a V8 swap since he'll need to tow trailers and we live in a hilly area. I instead now have his 86 Nissan. He's done some stuff to it, lowered, homebrew CAI/ram air, air shocks in the rear. My plan is to continue what he's done and add on, maybe engine swap, and appearance work.

 

welcome to PT