i had just about given up on the idea of ever building a Z for a track car but events are conspiring to change my mind.

i have recently aquired a chevy 4.3L, which is the engine i have been contemplating for conversion. i am following up on a lead for a 6 point roll cage and i already have racing seats.

i had seriously considered just building a ground-up tube frame car just because the performance level per cubic dollar is better. but then, that only counts if your buying new for each. since i've been finding some rather good deals lately, i might be able to put a track ready car together for >$5k.

some of you might ask, "why a 4.3L chevy?" well, how does having a stone cold reliable 300+hp/300+ft/lbs of better balanced weight sound for an idea? check this out: http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/113_0208_chevy_43l_262ci_v6_engine_build/index.html

granted, i'm not expecting the full results of their build, but i'll settle for about 275hp for under $2000 in the motor.

still have to follow up on the cage but if that is a go, i may just have to do this after all.:devious:

That is the same basic engine used in the GMC Cyclone/Typhoon-check google to see what you can getout of that jewel!

Will

If I could just get someone to make those improvements to the 4.3L in my '92 shortbox Chevy Pickup's engine . They're reliable, have 160K on the old girl and have had very little to do but regular maintenance. Blows a little smoke when she first starts up, but would rather replace the engine when its time than spend $25K to $35K to replace her with a new truck.

my friend has a chevy love that has a 350 small block in it ( which is stock I think) and since it is so light it makes the truck hall arse.

my friend has a chevy love that has a 350 small block in it ( which is stock I think) and since it is so light it makes the truck hall arse.

The 4.3L is a V6 - Actually 2/3 of the 350 small block, according to Chevy. Pretty sure Chevy Luvs never came with small block as stock, believe they were actually Isuzu (however it's spelled) trucks badged as Chevs, could be wrong but think they at least had Japanese running gear.

Edit: Found this link for some LUV history confirming they were all Isuzu with Chev rebadge -

http://www.luvtruck.com/history.htm

I think he meant it had a stock 350 in it rather than meaning that a 350 was stock in a Chevy LUV (not love). LUV means Light Utility Vechicle. You see, age does mean something.

You see, age does mean something.

ROFL Thanks Stephen, I needed that!

I had a LUV once. The damned speedo had a warning buzzer that would go off at 55.1 MPH. You talk about annoying. Many's the time I wished I'd reached under the dash and ripped it out. Ah, the memories!

FWIW,

Chris A.

glad to see so much support, thanks guys. i spend alot of time over on the corvetteforum and some of those guys will form a lynch mob for talk like this! anyway, looks like the cam will be the biggest single expense but i'm still $2k from a running motor. of course, that's still pretty cheap for that much power.