Doing my first swap Need help.

[g0dsp33d]

I blew up my v6 motor and just replaced it with another 4.3 v6 because i got it for $300 with 22k miles on it, but I really wanted to do a v8 swap. Now that I have time and money, what do I need?



I have a 1997 S-10 Flare Side 4x4 with an Automatic 4L60E trannsmission. I was looking at purchasing a 350 with Double Pump heads mild cam and intake and has been dyno at 365hp for $1000.



What am I going to need. I know the obvious. Motor mounts, oil pan, and headers.



What about Radiator, and the tranny, will those bolt up. Would like to use my stock radiator so i can run my oil and tranny cooler through it.

[wild85]

The tranny will bolt up, but cannot take the repetitive punishment from the 350, because it was built for the v6. radiator will also work, I have the 4.3 aluminum rad and it works pretty well and my engine is around 350 hp, just make sure you have good fans that flow. The driveshaft may need to be changed due to the difference in engine length. It is also recomended that better shocks be installed for the weight change from the engine. A mini starter from a 95 full size truck may need to be bought due to lack of clearance.If you plan on running headers you will need the special ones sold in the sites part store. Hope this helps.

[g0dsp33d]

Thanks. What about the stock fan shroud though? Do I keep it and run electric ones?



Also I notice they put 4l60E\'s in subarbans and other full size trucks, as a future upgrade will one of those fit.



Also what about an oil pan, kind of on a budget and don\'t have $300 for one.



Thanks.

[wild85]

I am running 2 12 inch proform e fans with almost all of the stock shroud cut out on top, but I bolted a 4 inch piece of sheet metal on top of the remaining shroud and some of the bottom shroud let on the bottom. If the donor vehicle has a 350 I know it will work, but unsure about vortec 5.3 and 6.0. I don\'t know what to tell you when it comes to the 4x4 oil pan.

[g0dsp33d]

What about the AC lines that sit on top?

[wild85]

I do not have ac, which makes it easier.

[g0dsp33d]

Then what do I need to do with the AC then?



Anyone else?

[IceQueen]

first off you will need to have a trans shop go over your trans when you can afford to they can beef it up for you quite nicely.



you dont need to change your drive shaft lengths if you push your rad into the rad suppord for clearance.



I recommend you use a 3.8L ford tarus electric fan to cool your motor using your existing two core rad.



your accesory brackets will bolt upto the v8 without a hitch so your ac will be fine however you may have to have a line or two lengthened do some measurements and take the truck to an ac shop before you do the swap to have any changes dine to it.



what do you have running your 4.3 TPI or TBI? Your trans relies on the engine computer to know when to shift so unless your going to put a manual trans shift kit your going to have to deal with this hurdle by either getting the trans its own computer or by keeping the engine EFI based.

[g0dsp33d]

It was a TBI. So where and what do I need for my tranny sence I want to scrap the computer.



Also what did you mean with the radiator support and pushing it up?

[BrandOmatic]

making the radiator itself fit farther forward in the radiator core support. Will take some fabrication.

[g0dsp33d]

So what abou the Tranny then? What do I want to use?

[BLUEBOWTIE]

if you choose to 86 your ac you can put your radiator in the ac condensor\'s old place located just an inch or two in front of your current spot.

about your tranny you should put a manual valve body and just manual shift it. i think one of you had allready said the manual thing.

[g0dsp33d]

Ok cool. I plan on ditching the AC and hopefully getting some money for it.