Scottydc
I'm Awesome
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- Oct 19, 2015
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This is a long thread that I will update as often as possible. I think this info could not only help someone that has the 4.3 Vortec V6 but also those who have the L31 5.7
I'd love to get any input from you all.
So, the first responses I expect from most guys and in most cases they would be correct is:
"Hey goof ball..don't bother with the V6, you'll spend more money than what a LS or other V8 swap would cost." and I could see that, but here's why that does not sit well with me in this case.
I bought my truck last October and the previous owner just had the 4.3 rebuilt it currently has about 1600 miles on it now since the rebuild. He provided me with the build sheet from a local machine shop and its a great motor, he spent quite a bit on it top to bottom, a great deal/investment but its a V6... We all know the v6 vs v8 blues.. If i pulled the engine and sold it, chances are I would have a hard time selling it to get what it's worth. So I'd rather have some fun with it first, waste not want not.
My PLANS and GOALS are to do this, boost it, spend as little as possible and what I do spend ONLY spend money on things that can be used again LATER for a V8 swap. If I blow this engine it'll be swapped for a LS and my plan is to use parts that interchange between the two.
Ford has peaked my interest with this whole EcoBoost thing they've got going, its a great concept. I watched a video yesterday of a EcoBoost Mustang that is running 10's... with a 4! Pretty amazing stuff.. I just think it's a great idea and I wish GM ran with it instead. The idea of having a somewhat eco friendly car that will suck you back in the seat when you want it to is great.
For my turbo, I will use a single remote mount t4 mounted right where the factory muffler is now. I like this option for 3 reasons. 1: regardless of what engine is being used, as long as it uses a 2-1 exhaust the turbo installed will work with it. 2: It's easier and cheaper, I wont have to build or purchase any headers or manifolds (which for the v6 is a COSTLY) a LS not so much. 3: It's simple.
I think for the V6 I will try out the cheaper EBay stuff to play with the V6 a full kit can be purchased for a little over 500. When going to an Ls I'd likely upgrade to a Turbonetics or Garrett. The only real con to remote in my opinion would be you have to use a pump to return oil from the turbo, and the longer cold pipe. Some say it can delay boost but that's not always the case. SLP kits have gained lots of popularity.. I want my boost to come in at about 23-2700 rpm.
The biggest issue with boosting these Vortec v6 packages that I've researched is fuel delivery. The common answer is "marine intake or a modified Edelbrock" the reasoning behind this is so you can have external multi point fuel injectors, better tunability and can ditch the Spider. That's wasted money for me. Why spend that money on a intake that will only work with the 4.3. So I've been exploring different options. FMU or boost referenced fuel regulators can likely get a low boost engine by.. Some folk have went as far to add an extra aux fuel injector.. But I honestly think I can do better, even using the stock setup.. Heres why,
I recently replaced the old poppet spider system on my engine with one of these. Its an upgrade GM came up with in the early 2000's for the still in production Vortec CSFI systems. Interesting enough as far as I know this new style stayed in used in the 4.3 applications well into the mid 2000s.. Maybe longer. It's a great little upgrade and made my truck run much better and it got my gears turning.
This basically removes the old poppet system that valved fuel in the plug area and replaces it with "modern" fuel injectors on the bottom side.. Its a crude and simple little design. In fact the injectors are Delphi Multec II mini's.. From what I have researched the ones that come on the conversion kit flow a whopping 22.15 lb per hr @58psi and 23.1 @ 63psi.. Not hardly boost worthy BUT the noteworthy thing is those little injectors come off easily and can be replaced... WHY NO ONE HAS SEEMED TO THINK OF THIS IS BEYOND ME.. There are adapters to adapt an o-ring style injector to the slip on line feed style making it an easy swap.
Adapter to allow a normal oring style injector:
So, for me the hunt is on for a Multec 2 mini that will flow approx 38-40 lb. Which should allow enough flow to support 350hp at a 75% duty cyle with 6 cylinders. Not that I will need that much but it'll be there if so... From what I have found so far the Multec II minis are available up to 62lb per hr and are commonly used in some LS engines.. The problem is, they are expensive so I would buy a set of 8... Why? again I can use them later on a ls. All eight will support 500 hp
http://www.racetronix.com/Manuals/Injectors/multec2_inj.pdf
For the ECM I would most likely do the 411 Swap so as to tune this soon to be beast using a modern tuning program. Another great thing about the 411, again LS compatible. Which means I can use the same ECM and I wont be losing any licensing credits when I have to re-tune a v8.
I will leave it at here for now, I plan on buying the Turbo kit and injectors next month. I'll post pictures of the build as I go.
I'd love to get any input from you all.
So, the first responses I expect from most guys and in most cases they would be correct is:
"Hey goof ball..don't bother with the V6, you'll spend more money than what a LS or other V8 swap would cost." and I could see that, but here's why that does not sit well with me in this case.
I bought my truck last October and the previous owner just had the 4.3 rebuilt it currently has about 1600 miles on it now since the rebuild. He provided me with the build sheet from a local machine shop and its a great motor, he spent quite a bit on it top to bottom, a great deal/investment but its a V6... We all know the v6 vs v8 blues.. If i pulled the engine and sold it, chances are I would have a hard time selling it to get what it's worth. So I'd rather have some fun with it first, waste not want not.
My PLANS and GOALS are to do this, boost it, spend as little as possible and what I do spend ONLY spend money on things that can be used again LATER for a V8 swap. If I blow this engine it'll be swapped for a LS and my plan is to use parts that interchange between the two.
Ford has peaked my interest with this whole EcoBoost thing they've got going, its a great concept. I watched a video yesterday of a EcoBoost Mustang that is running 10's... with a 4! Pretty amazing stuff.. I just think it's a great idea and I wish GM ran with it instead. The idea of having a somewhat eco friendly car that will suck you back in the seat when you want it to is great.
For my turbo, I will use a single remote mount t4 mounted right where the factory muffler is now. I like this option for 3 reasons. 1: regardless of what engine is being used, as long as it uses a 2-1 exhaust the turbo installed will work with it. 2: It's easier and cheaper, I wont have to build or purchase any headers or manifolds (which for the v6 is a COSTLY) a LS not so much. 3: It's simple.
I think for the V6 I will try out the cheaper EBay stuff to play with the V6 a full kit can be purchased for a little over 500. When going to an Ls I'd likely upgrade to a Turbonetics or Garrett. The only real con to remote in my opinion would be you have to use a pump to return oil from the turbo, and the longer cold pipe. Some say it can delay boost but that's not always the case. SLP kits have gained lots of popularity.. I want my boost to come in at about 23-2700 rpm.
The biggest issue with boosting these Vortec v6 packages that I've researched is fuel delivery. The common answer is "marine intake or a modified Edelbrock" the reasoning behind this is so you can have external multi point fuel injectors, better tunability and can ditch the Spider. That's wasted money for me. Why spend that money on a intake that will only work with the 4.3. So I've been exploring different options. FMU or boost referenced fuel regulators can likely get a low boost engine by.. Some folk have went as far to add an extra aux fuel injector.. But I honestly think I can do better, even using the stock setup.. Heres why,
I recently replaced the old poppet spider system on my engine with one of these. Its an upgrade GM came up with in the early 2000's for the still in production Vortec CSFI systems. Interesting enough as far as I know this new style stayed in used in the 4.3 applications well into the mid 2000s.. Maybe longer. It's a great little upgrade and made my truck run much better and it got my gears turning.
You must be registered for see images attach
This basically removes the old poppet system that valved fuel in the plug area and replaces it with "modern" fuel injectors on the bottom side.. Its a crude and simple little design. In fact the injectors are Delphi Multec II mini's.. From what I have researched the ones that come on the conversion kit flow a whopping 22.15 lb per hr @58psi and 23.1 @ 63psi.. Not hardly boost worthy BUT the noteworthy thing is those little injectors come off easily and can be replaced... WHY NO ONE HAS SEEMED TO THINK OF THIS IS BEYOND ME.. There are adapters to adapt an o-ring style injector to the slip on line feed style making it an easy swap.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
Adapter to allow a normal oring style injector:
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
So, for me the hunt is on for a Multec 2 mini that will flow approx 38-40 lb. Which should allow enough flow to support 350hp at a 75% duty cyle with 6 cylinders. Not that I will need that much but it'll be there if so... From what I have found so far the Multec II minis are available up to 62lb per hr and are commonly used in some LS engines.. The problem is, they are expensive so I would buy a set of 8... Why? again I can use them later on a ls. All eight will support 500 hp
http://www.racetronix.com/Manuals/Injectors/multec2_inj.pdf
For the ECM I would most likely do the 411 Swap so as to tune this soon to be beast using a modern tuning program. Another great thing about the 411, again LS compatible. Which means I can use the same ECM and I wont be losing any licensing credits when I have to re-tune a v8.
I will leave it at here for now, I plan on buying the Turbo kit and injectors next month. I'll post pictures of the build as I go.