blackrunner91

Hey guys, I was just wondering if anyone here is running a small block chevy or a 4.3. If so, what are the advantages/disadvantages to it? Also, how easy is it to do the swap.I'm actually considering dumping the 3.4 swap to do the 350 swap. All depending on whether or not I get something particular in the next couple days

lunatic14r

do a search. there plenty of info on it

blackrunner91

yeah, i was going to ,but I was having to keep my teacher from seeing that I was online. Soooo, I figured I'd post to get some opinions from you guys so that I could read them when I got home.

calrockx

i know i've seen a first gen or two with a chevy engine. can't remember if those guys are on this board tho, they may be on 4x4 wire

terky

I am going to drop the chevy 4.3 in this summer, if i can get some cash.

doink

off topic, but either way you go,can i help? haha.

AKennedy87

terky -
if you live in everett mass than there is some kid in my town selling an 91 blazer with teh 4.3 in it for 500 complete, its got 120k but only problem is bad gas tank. Just let me know if you are from the area.

blackrunner91

yeah man, for sure. I don't know when I'll have all of the parts though. I still need an R150F transmission if I am going to do the 3.4 swap. But the only reason I am asking about the chevy engines is b/c I saw a good TH350 trans/AA/Toy-t-case on ebay pretty cheap. If you know anyone with any 3.4 parts let me know though. I'd still rather stay toyota.

motrhedx81

I'm working on getting the cash together for a 4.3 and NV4500 5spd swap, probably do it in about a year or so. I like the 4.3 cause you can still squeeze a lot of power out of em, and they aren't as tight a fit as a full small block. I've heard that with a small block you might need to modify your firewall, and radiator core cause of the length of it. Plus I found a 4.3 short block for $50 that I can rebuild. I can get about 280 hp and 330 ft.lbs. the way I want to build it. Thats what I figure.

blackrunner91

That sounds like a mean plan. From what I've heard, the 4.3 is basically a 6 cyl. version of the 350. Meaning that it has the same bore and stroke, but with 2 less cylinders. Oh, and there was an awesome 2nd gen 4runner on ebay last week with a 350 and flip front-end. It said that NWOR built it. I'll look for a link for it.

terky

Nope i am up in Everett Washington. maybe i should pu that in there? But I got a friend who works at a chevy dealership, so he gets a discount on parts and stuff. I am waiting for him to give me a call on how much it will be.

blackrunner91

here you go.. this thing is seriously awesome.....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW

motrhedx81

The only big problem is that NV4500 is so freakin' expensive to buy and to adapt but I think they're worth it. You're right about the 4.3. It is just a 350 minus 2 cylinders. Thats a good thing cause from what I know, all the parts (except for the lengthwise parts) are interchangable, which makes it a little cheaper.

kyle_22r

i'd say just get a cheap t18 or sm465 and run steeper gears in the rear end. might not be able to hotrod as much though with only 3 practical street gears both trannies are cheaper than dirt though

motrhedx81

I can totally understand the cheapness of those trannies. But I'm already running 5.29's and it don't get much steaper than that. I want the low first gear from the NV4500 (6.31 or 5.61, depending on year). To me its worth it for what I want to do. I'm a torque junky!

Does anybody know how to Identify the NV4500 from the others if I was to find one in a junkyard or something?

kyle_22r

i believe the t18 has a 6.xx low gear and the 465 has a 6xx or 7xx low if that's what you're getting at. only problem is that you don't get overdrive for those steep gears that you have

motrhedx81

The overdrive would be nice to have. I want my truck to be stout but I've also got to drive it everyday and on the interstate too. To me the 4500 seems to be a good all around tranny.

Oops, I think I robbed this other dude's (blackerunner91) thread. Didn't mean to, my bad.

toy283

I'm perfectly happy with my 7.05:1 first gear and no overdrive. If I want an overdrive, it can be added to my tranny ($$$ though). I run 4.11 rear gears and won't even consider anything lower unless I consider the truck a dedicated trailer-queen. For tranny identification, Novak has a good page here. Novak specializes in Jeep conversions, but the information is valuable for any engine tranny swap.

Highland Runner

What vehicles came/come with the NV4500? Nice 4-Runner on Ebay BTW.

motrhedx81

'93-94 chevy 1 ton and I think 3/4 ton with the 6.3 first gear. '95-present chevy and dodge 1 ton and again I think 3/4 ton with the 5.61 first gear.