[shnitzelman2001]

So I'm pretty excited guys. My uncle has a Chevy S10 that he doesn't want anymore. It's a 2000 with the 4.3L V-6, 4x4, and a 5 speed manual (the manual transmission the thing that gets me the most excited). I talked to my dad and asked if we could maybe take the car, revive it and i could use that car as my beater car (i.e. to take to college, park in the bronx... etc). Another thing I like about the car is the potential it has to modify. I have a huge interest in cars and this could be the car i can play on and learn on.

So fellow LX members. What I ask of you is if any of you have owned an S10 with the 4.3 and can comment on the car.

From the stat sheet, it looks like it could be a fun car. The motor puts out 190 hp and 245 lb/ft of torque (although the car has 100,000 miles so i'm guessin the current power output might be lower than that). The car only weighs about 3250 lbs, so in terms of power to weight ratio, the car appears to move quite well. On the S10 forums some of the members claimed they ran the 1/4 with a completely stock car btw 16.1 and 16.5. In my opinion that certainly does not seem bad at all.

I'm going to keep perusing the S10 forums to gain more info on this car, but in the meantime if any of you have experience with this car, any feedback is welcomed. Thanks guys :racing:

 

[Displaced Hokie]

First, it's a truck not a car!

I have a '93 full size with the 4.3 and automatic. Mine has only 160hp but it does the job. The higher hp versions in the lighter S10's are fun. The 5spd makes it that much better. Remember that the GMC Cyclones and Typhoons were turbocharged 4.3's and they were wicked quick. They were some of the fastest vehicles in the 1980's. Google them and you'll get the whole story. I also knew a guy that had dual exhaust and a performance chip in his and it would scoot.

These engines have a very good reputation for running a very long time. Mine has 104,000 miles on it and runs great. A buddy at work has one with 240,000 and the engine has never been into. Runs great. They are just a 5.7 (350 cu in) V8 with the front cylinders chopped off - a very good pedigree.

Go pick up your truck and enjoy!

Hokie

 

[DMAG]

I had an S-10...but it was a 4 banger...good truck though. I loved it.

 

[PowerWagon896]

So I'm pretty excited guys. My uncle has a Chevy S10 that he doesn't want anymore. It's a 2000 with the 4.3L V-6, 4x4, and a 5 speed manual (the manual transmission the thing that gets me the most excited). I talked to my dad and asked if we could maybe take the car, revive it and i could use that car as my beater car (i.e. to take to college, park in the bronx... etc). Another thing I like about the car is the potential it has to modify. I have a huge interest in cars and this could be the car i can play on and learn on.

So fellow LX members. What I ask of you is if any of you have owned an S10 with the 4.3 and can comment on the car.

From the stat sheet, it looks like it could be a fun car. The motor puts out 190 hp and 245 lb/ft of torque (although the car has 100,000 miles so i'm guessin the current power output might be lower than that). The car only weighs about 3250 lbs, so in terms of power to weight ratio, the car appears to move quite well. On the S10 forums some of the members claimed they ran the 1/4 with a completely stock car btw 16.1 and 16.5. In my opinion that certainly does not seem bad at all.

I'm going to keep perusing the S10 forums to gain more info on this car, but in the meantime if any of you have experience with this car, any feedback is welcomed. Thanks guys :racing:

The 4.3 is nothing more than a 350 (5.7) W/2 cylinders cut off. Multiply 5.7x .75 and yoiu get what? 4.275 = 4.3 Really, they took the patterns for the heads, block and manifold and modified the castings. The crank of course is different.

NOW! Do you want to know the really great news? The front and back of the engine are I-D-E-T-I-C-L-E to the 350. Same water pumps etc. but more impotantly, the bell housing bolt pattern and motor mount are the same.

Get the picture? It is a no brainer to stuff any SB chevy engine into an S-10. There is even room @ the front of the engine bay, for thoae extra 2 cylinders. The SB chevy is the easiest engine in the world to mod. W/ stock parts, you can biuld a budget 350+HP engine for next to nothing. A "71" and earlier rebuild kit has flat top pistons, couple that W/a set of small chamber 305 heads and you will have about 11.8:1 CR. Put in the right cam and you have a little monster that might get you deep into the 12s if you can get it to hook up.

 

[Banshee]

I have one with a 350HP 355 V8 and All wheel drive. Moves along quite well.

 

[shnitzelman2001]

Oh man i'm so pumped now to pick up my TRUCK

 

[saselker]

I had a '96 2wd short box w/ the 4.3.....fun, but traction was a huge issue

 

[BMWDON]

I got a 96' 4.3L 4x4 short bed manual w/ oversized tires and a 3" body lift and 90K miles....it's fun as hell to take off road and beat up on, the body is dented up (minor stuff) and scratched to hell from tree limbs raking over it, so if you've got an aggresive streak when you drive, watch yourself or you'll find yourself playing bumper tag with putz'z that piss you off :wink:

I'd like to pull it apart and get the V6 rehoned, balanced, the heads worked and the clutch replaced (starting to slip after all my beatings), I think the V6 does fine, a little bit more grunt wouldn't hurt, but that can be done with simple headwork, a affordable set of headers, and a .030" bored over. No worry's of trying to fit the longer block, rearranging fans, radiators, etc.

 

[American Muscle]

Had a 98 single cab 2 wheel drive that I loved, first ride I ever modded. TONS of goodies on the market for these bad boys. I had The basic performance mods; intake, exhaust, chip, 3/2 lowering kit, and she would fly.

 

[BlackSunshine]

I had a 2000 S10 with the 4.3. I did some serious modding to it, and it was probably, all around, the best vehicle I had ever owned up until my charger. I loved my truck, treat it right and you'll really like it. They can be a lot of fun and there is a huge aftermarket out there for them.

 

[boggart]

The TV show Trucks just did an S10 project where they had a 10k budget, including buying the truck, and upgraded to a small block V8. Pretty nifty.

 

[shnitzelman2001]

Wow, I really hope the TRUCK is in the driveway when i go back home next week. I understand that the TRUCK does have a few issues that need to be tended to at first, including some bodywork. I'll post some pics if you guys would like to show what i'm working with and you guys can give me ideas. In the meantime I can only wait and dream.

 

[BlackSunshine]

If you need any info regarding your truck, try the boys over at www.s10forums.com. They did a lot for me, and are *almost* as helpful as the guys around here, hahaha! Any issue you may have with the truck can be found there, and there is always a solution.

 

[MikeEast]

I had an '89 S10 with a '91 nose and bed (rust=sucks) with what I was told was a 4bolt '355' in it. It had 'Edlebrock' all over the motor and had a right nice rumpity-rump idle to it. Dual flowmaster-40's really turned heads when it started..

Traction wasn't on the option list though, getting that single wheel to hook up never happened, it would light it up and leave it lit for as long as I dared it seemed. Doing a locker rear was next, but that's about when my ex became my ex and my toy had to go...

Enjoy your truck - they are great little machines, and properly setup, are real eyeball-pinners..

Mike