4.3 V6 vs 283 sbc
 

Today I went to lunch with my, and he says I should consider a 4.3 V6 as a swap candidate. For my 69 4 door Nova. If I don't go for a modern fuel injected option. I am stuck between keep it carbuerated for simplicity I like, and fuel injection for better cold starts.

I just got my engine running again after the flattened cam, all the rain on my days off, and getting the flu + a cold back to back. It still makes a slight thump thump kind of sound as it idles, and the balancer still appears to wobble ever so slightly.

For the Nova I just want to be a nice driver. Especially with my propensity to Hot Rod everything. I want a smaller motor or one that doesn't have temptation associated with it.

I have mentioned before I had a well thought out built 283/TH350 combo years ago that got 27mpg on the highway easily. So at the very least. I would like that again. Decent power, good driving, and great mpg. I like going places.

Is the 4.3 a good alternative to a 283. I like the roller cam option, and the power is good enough. When base lined against my stock 307 2 barrel.

I have never been a fan of 4.3's before the LV1 or LV3. Every friend who had a S10 with one got the same.mpg as my cars with a 350, and carb.

Am I wrong to believe that.

Re: 4.3 V6 vs 283 sbc
 

ive had 2 4.3 S10s... 16-18 was all i ever got out of either..but they are great engines...put lots of miles on both of them

Re: 4.3 V6 vs 283 sbc
 

low tech vs high tech ..... nice sound vs meh sound

they are both good choices depending what you like.

Re: 4.3 V6 vs 283 sbc
 

Fuel injection will not give you better cold starts. Where did this fallacy come from? Nothing starts faster than my 283 with stock 2 barrel & manual choke.

Re: 4.3 V6 vs 283 sbc
 

250 inline six with a 2004r, 3.23 gears. Runs nice, lots of torque, and OD gets the mileage back.

As a reference point i consistently got 23mpg on my 1990 GMT400 truck with 4.3 TBI, 700R4, 3.08 gears and P235-75R15 tires. And it would tow 7000#. Sold it because it didn't seat 4, at 210,000 with 1 trans rebuild, 1 water pump, 2 ignition sets (never will buy Accel anything again), tires, brakes, and 1 belt. SO yes, the 4.3 does just fine for a DD.

Re: 4.3 V6 vs 283 sbc
 

Remember the 4.3 liter V6 has a first and second generation. I copied this from Wilipedia....
The Chevrolet 90° V6 family of V6 engines began in 1978 with the Chevrolet 200 cu in (3.3 L) as the base engine for the all new 1978 Chevrolet Malibu. The original engine family was phased out in early 2014, with its final use as the 4.3 L (262 cu in) V6 engine used in Chevrolet and GMC trucks and vans. Its phaseout marks the end of an era of Chevrolet small-block engine designs dating back to the 1955 model year. A new Generation V 4.3 L (262 cu in) V6 variant entered production in late 2013, based on the LT1 small block V8 used in the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado.

I have a 2017 Extra Cab with the second generation version. It runs a service route with a moderate load and the computer says I get 20mpg exactly. The computer also says my average overall speed is 27 miles per hour. (Lots of city driving). Its a sweet motor and coupled with the 6 speed automatic it always finds the perfect rpm for every occasion. It also has the cylinder deactivation tech on it and i'm really good at finding the sweet spot to cruise it on four cyl.
It would easily power a Chevy Nova.

Re: 4.3 V6 vs 283 sbc
 

Fuel injection will not give you better cold starts. Where did this fallacy come from? Nothing starts faster than my 283 with stock 2 barrel & manual choke.

Ok, I'll bite. Only both the 283 and the FI engine have to set, without starting, for a month!

Re: 4.3 V6 vs 283 sbc
 

You forgot to say at 20 below too!

Re: 4.3 V6 vs 283 sbc
 

Not going to happen, I drive it every day. The OP is also talking about this for a daily driver so as I see it your point is moot.

Re: 4.3 V6 vs 283 sbc
 

It hasn't been that cold around here in 40 years, or more. The coldest I can recall it being in the last twenty five years is about minus 12. Wouldn't you know it that was the year I was going through a divorce and living in my camping trailer.

Re: 4.3 V6 vs 283 sbc
 

I would stay away from a 4.3. The best my S10 Blazer ever did on fuel economy was 18 mpg. Not to mention GM made about a dozen variants of the 4.3. Odd fire, even fire, balance shafts non balance shaft, flat tappet, roller lifter, 2 bbl, 4 bbl, TBI, CPI, SFI, long crankshaft, short crankshaft, etc... If you're doing a swap, you would be better off buying a complete vehicle.

Re: 4.3 V6 vs 283 sbc
 

I've had three 4.3's all in Astro vans.

The first was a 2 WD 89 with TBI that could go 1000kms on a 100L tank which I believe was 28MPG imp. I think it was only about 140 hp and I remember my 1.6L Subaru wagon burning about the same. Ford Aerostar vans could run circles around that van.

The next was a 90 AWD van which burned more fuel probably because of the AWD. Both the first two developed coolant leaks into the left rear cylinders. Speaking of starting in the cold though there was a time at -40 when it was neglected to be plugged in and it started.

The third I believe was an 06 vortec and it was a longer version of the van and it burned more again, maybe around 20 mpg imp, multiply by 4/5 for US.

Although I put on more than 500k kms (300k mi) on them in total I can't say that any of the 4.3's were ever a favourite engine of mine.

Re: 4.3 V6 vs 283 sbc
 

If it were me, I would keep it simple and go with a 283 if I could find one or a 305 with a quadrajet. I do like the larger bore of the 283 with the shorter stroke, less prone to detonation. I personally prefer the 307 to the 305 for the same reason, but they are harder to find in good shape and have only one piston choice for a rebuild where the 283 has several.