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Hey I was wondering if anyone knew much about swapping or upgrading the heads on a 4.3 v6 silverado. Whats the price and gains of doing it and I would like to know if it is worth it.
Thanks
Thanks
New Heads for a 4.3?
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What are you wanting to swap to? I think Edelbrock makes some.
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Year of the truck in question is needed to tell you the most. However just a good port and polish will help the vortec heads the most since they already flow pretty good. Also a cam would be your best bet to get something out of it. If you are looking for flow parts.
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well really I dont have much knowledge on this topic. But i have a couple friends who run a body shop and they told me they've done a few 4.3 head swaps and the customers liked what they got. In general I heard that it was a good idea, but that depends on the price and performance gain I could get. I really dont know what is out there to swap to or upgrade, thats why im here. I could google it easily and teach myself more no doubt, but Id rather hear from some knowledgeable people first.
---------- Post added at 12:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:46 PM ----------
its a 2000 single cab
---------- Post added at 12:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:46 PM ----------
its a 2000 single cab
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On a street head, gasket match the intake, exhaust and clean up the valve pockets. As long as you have the heads and manifold off do a camshaft change.
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So yall think it would be more worth it to go towards a camshaft than towards the heads?
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X2 he said it better than me! the 4.3L vortec in your 2000 already has pretty good flowing heads as i mentioned. So doing that will help since for the cost any more spent on a 195HP V-6 is kinda throwing money away except for improving up the factory goodies with a cam and things like that. if you really want more power a blower would do you some good. However the down side is they cost $3K plus and if you really want more motor you can simply sell yours and buy one with a 5.3L in it and you get 295HP right out of the box. However i know you may be attached to your truck so power adders are always a great thing.
To ans your question yes, but spend a few $ on the heads you have now as well.
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I'd do both, your going to be that far into it. You said a 2000 single carb? Did you remove the FI?
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*****cab*****
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You'd get more bang for the buck with just a cam. Alot less labor and parts than heads or headwork
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yeah i know this engine lacks in the performance department :/ I already have TB spacer, hypertech programmer, K&N intake, flowmaster exhaust, and 4.10 gears in the rear with a limited slip. And it still takes me about 10 seconds to hit 60 mph from a stop. I know alotta people say that we waste money on our V6's and i may agree to an extent, but thats why I aint gonna throw a SC or TC on it, I'm not that crazy OR rich haha. But If you think cams or heads would be a nice addition to my setup, by all means show me the light.
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How much did all the upgrades help so far? I just got a 98 4.3.
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I dont have much to compare it to, I think it has a little bit of bite to it. But when i got it from my older brother he already had the intake, exhaust and TB spacer on it. I did the rest but also put some 33" tires on it with a leveling kit and 3" spindle lift. So i can see some loss of power there, but really anything over 80 takes a while to get to.
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I see. I just picked up a 98 4.3 5spd. Very stock. Just ran the first tank of gas thru it trying to get a baseline to go off. Plan on CAI, Amsoil, and go from there
---------- Post added at 01:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:29 PM ----------
What kind of heads were you thinking about getting?
---------- Post added at 01:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:29 PM ----------
What kind of heads were you thinking about getting?
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i hadnt even looked into the heads yet actually, it was a recommendation from a friend and I sought more help on it here
So does anyone love any certain brand of cams that would be worth it?
So does anyone love any certain brand of cams that would be worth it?
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murdog94, I guess I was disl*^#k when I read 2000 carb. LOL.
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I worked i a parts store for years we sold alot of Crane Cams, also check Edelbrock, or Isky. Let me know what else you do with it I'd be waaaay interested
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CraneCams makes a nice cam part# 1439801 for your engine.
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blacksheep aside from what ive done you can also swap the fan for an electric fan and throw on some underdrive pulleys and i dont think they run too much $$$. I just havent really felt like doing those
Heres a list of what i think are the easiest/most common to do without goin crazy:
1)exhaust
2)intake
3)TB spacer
4)Programmer
5)Electric fan
6)Pulleys
7)Headers (probably the most pricey of these)
All these are pretty common upgrades you could do.
The reality is that whatever you spend for each of these will only gain you a MAX of 5-10 HP each. So in relation to $/HP its pretty expensive
Heres a list of what i think are the easiest/most common to do without goin crazy:
1)exhaust
2)intake
3)TB spacer
4)Programmer
5)Electric fan
6)Pulleys
7)Headers (probably the most pricey of these)
All these are pretty common upgrades you could do.
The reality is that whatever you spend for each of these will only gain you a MAX of 5-10 HP each. So in relation to $/HP its pretty expensive
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I just got a CAI. and will be switching all fluids to Amsoil soon. Been hunting for a 3.8 Ford Taurus or Lincoln MarkVIII fan. Trying to get more power but more mpg to. Thanks. I'm trying to start a V6 group. No picture yet. But its listed to get guys together to see what's happening without having to always go through so many posts.
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