engine swap? From 4.2l I6 to 4.3l v6? Problems, costs, best chevy engine years?

[76cj7chick]

Hi all...

So I am thinking of swapping out my AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l I6 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l engine to a Chevy 4.3l vortec engine...

But I would like to know what adapters I will need and if I will need new engine mounts etc...

I currently have the GM Turbo 400 GM Hydramatic Turbo Transmission with single electrical kickdown switch from a Full sized Jeep truck (76')..

Will the 4.3l chevy vortec engine just connect to the Transmission or will it need an adapter? If it will need an adapter, which one? Also, I have a Dana 20 Transfer Case from the same full sized jeep truck (believe it was a j-10)

Which years of the chevy 4.3l should I look at? I know to stick with OBD1, and does the years 94'97' sound correct? I've read that only the later v6 were true "Vortec", if that is true, which engines?

Thanks for your help

PS. Anyone interested in trading my AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l for a 4.3l vortec engine? I've put Lots of new parts on the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l but can't get the carb to work correctly...

 

[Sam5038]

I swapped in a 1995 4.3ltr TBI Vortec V-6. Stay away from this year. In 96' they changed to OBD2. 95' was the transition year. It was OBD1 computer with OBD2 data port. These codes can only be read with a $275.00 code scanner.

 

[76cj7chick]

I swapped in a 1995 4.3ltr TBI Vortec V-6. Stay away from this year. In 96' they changed to OBD2. 95' was the transition year. It was OBD1 computer with OBD2 data port. These codes can only be read with a $275.00 code scanner.

Good to know sam5038!

Should I lean toward pre 95' or post? How about a 97 blazer engine?

Also, Been reading about the engine swap and discovered on Novaks website there are TWO th400s... An AMC GM Turbo 400 and a GM GM Turbo 400 .... Their website says the AMC GM Turbo 400 is NOT compatible with the Chevy V6 Vortec engine.... Evidentially the bellhousings are different and will mount differently..... Anyone can confirm this? If its true, how do I determine if I have the AMC or GM GM Turbo 400 ?
My pan had the "GM Hydramatic" stamped on it and two dimples... But its adapted to the Dana 20 tcase.... Also its part-time NOT the QuadraTrac full time tcase...

Previous owner didn't know the specs of the jeep... Or so he said...

Anyone know how to determine which (GM OR AMC) GM Turbo 400 tranny I have please chime in...

 

[Sam5038]

What ever year you get, you will need a Factory Service Manual. It will help you do the wiring for the computer.

 

[csuengr]

Since you have a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l , you have the AMC pattern GM Turbo 400 . A GM Turbo 400 Dana 20 combo is a factory option in SJ's and Commandos. It's an okay tranny. It is strong, but sucks about 35 hp from the engine. The 96' and up 4.3's are OBDII and used the CPFI system and needs a fuel pump that will deliver 60 psi. Then there is the VATS, Vehicle Anti Theft System. It must be programmed out of the ECU to run. Don't be scared by OBDII. It is actually a better system to work with and you can get scanners for $60. My dad and I did a 5.0 Vortec swap and it isn't any harder to do than a OBDI system. There is a guy at LT1swap.com that do the ECU mods for $75.

You will spend close to $700 just to do the engine swap, not counting purchase of the engine. You also need a new or modified radiator. And you need a new Transmission and adapter for the Dana 20 . I spent $900 to put the LT1 in my CJ, and I had the engine and wiring harness and a bunch of other small parts. You will spend $1500 or more to fix a carb issue.

 

[76cj7chick]

Since you have a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l , you have the AMC pattern GM Turbo 400 . A GM Turbo 400 Dana 20 combo is a factory option in SJ's and Commandos. It's an okay tranny. It is strong, but sucks about 35 hp from the engine. The 96' and up 4.3's are OBDII and used the CPFI system and needs a fuel pump that will deliver 60 psi. Then there is the VATS, Vehicle Anti Theft System. It must be programmed out of the ECU to run. Don't be scared by OBDII. It is actually a better system to work with and you can get scanners for $60. My dad and I did a 5.0 Vortec swap and it isn't any harder to do than a OBDI system. There is a guy at LT1swap.com that do the ECU mods for $75.

You will spend close to $700 just to do the engine swap, not counting purchase of the engine. You also need a new or modified radiator. And you need a new Transmission and adapter for the Dana 20 . I spent $900 to put the LT1 in my CJ, and I had the engine and wiring harness and a bunch of other small parts. You will spend $1500 or more to fix a carb issue.

Hi scuenger,

AWESOME! Thanks for a lot of GOOD information... Sux that I have the amc... Serious, I wanted the v6... Don't need the power (and gas eater) of the v8...-- No offense to all the v8ers... Plus it would be too much power.. as I would be inclined to roast the tires...

Isn't OBDII Multiport fuel injection? I've owned vehicles with both the throttle body fuel injection and MPI and I think the TBI is way easier... But that was awhile back..
I know my long term goal is to get fuel injection... I've never owned a vehicle with a carb.. (although my mom had one and I helped with cleaning the throttle body)

I appreciate the information..

 

[76cj7chick]

What ever year you get, you will need a Factory Service Manual. It will help you do the wiring for the computer.

Good thinking.

 

[76cj7chick]

Humm... Perhaps I should just get the jeep running with the carb and then later buy a chevy with the v6 and 4l60e and then swap those into the cj along with all the other parts, fuel pump, fuel filter, air filter, etc? OR when I have the cash buy a new/rebuilt v6 and 4l60e Transmission ?

I SO want to drive him again

:grinjeep:

 

[csuengr]

It depends on the engine and year for either TBI or MPFI. My LT1 is a 95 with OBDI and it has SEFI (sequential electronic fuel injection), which is a sequential multi port system.

The best bang for the buck is to save money and buy a S-10 blazer. One with a good drive train can be had for less than $1500. You will get all the small parts along with the wiring.

 

[Sam5038]

It depends on the engine and year for either TBI or MPFI. My LT1 is a 95 with OBDI and it has SEFI (sequential electronic fuel injection), which is a sequential multi port system.

The best bang for the buck is to save money and buy a S-10 blazer. One with a good drive train can be had for less than $1500. You will get all the small parts along with the wiring.

I bought a complete running 1995 S-10 Truck with the TBI Vortec 4.3ltr V-6. This truck also had a manual Transmission so I didn't have to have the computer modified. The hardest part was removing/ modifying the wiring from the S-10. It was time consuming, but very happy with the results.

 

[76cj7chick]

It depends on the engine and year for either TBI or MPFI. My LT1 is a 95 with OBDI and it has SEFI (sequential electronic fuel injection), which is a sequential multi port system.

The best bang for the buck is to save money and buy a S-10 blazer. One with a good drive train can be had for less than $1500. You will get all the small parts along with the wiring.

That's what I was thinking...

(I'm sure some people are wondering why I just don't sell the jeepj and then buy a chevy... Ur.. Cause its not a CJ7 .
Thanks for your input!

 

[76cj7chick]

I bought a complete running 1995 S-10 Truck with the TBI Vortec 4.3ltr V-6. This truck also had a manual Transmission so I didn't have to have the computer modified. The hardest part was removing/ modifying the wiring from the S-10. It was time consuming, but very happy with the results.

:drool::drool::drool::drool:

Oddly enough, my first vehicle was a 85 blazer with manual tranny... The clutch was impossible! Even my mom and brother said it was very nazi like.. Had to be perfect or it would die.. Then my other vehicle was beetle vw and it had the BEST clutch... However, heard the chassis in the new beetles tend to crack...

But I digress. Thanks bunches for your suggestions.

Just got to save some $$$... Unless someone HAS a blazer/s10 or? with the v6 vortec and 4l30e tranny to trade for my engine and tranny? :drool: