I have the opportunity to buy a complete 4.3 vortec engine, trans, computer, harness, transfer case with 50k on it for $1k. It is out of a s-blazer. Not sure of the year though. Think it is worth that? Just put on the new heads but it goes through a quart of oil every week. So I figure I may yank the motor and replace it with something better or drive it till it drops and take it to its final resting spot. It runs fantastic and looks good too so I hate to see it go. I wonder if Pinto fans love their cars too? Just dont know If I want to go through the headache of wiring a Vortec.

If it's as complete as you say, jump on it before someone else does.

You can't buy all of that stuff separately for that price. The harness alone is over $700 new.

Clay

do it. Someone here, I think Don? just did a 4.3 swap so Im sure he will help you out with any info.

As far as I KNOW, no one has done a "vortec" swap. Dons and Karys are CPI. Think of that as vortec Beta.

I have done a few 96 and up vortec motors, and they are pretty complicated on the wiring front. The ECUs had to be sent to Edelbrock FAST offices to be reprogrammed to eliminate the VATS, and a few other things.

Now. That being said there are benefits. Fuel mileage, torque.. blahbalh.

I think bob shaw(or a friend) was going this route, but decided against it due to the more complicated wiring, and the integral cast aluminum oil pan. Those are 2 things he usually posts up when someone asks about vortec swaps, and they arent that difficult to overcome.

Myself.. I have TBI.. I like it for the simplicity, ease of installation(hey not THAT easy now!!) Great running, and awesome off camber performance. If I had my choice... I think a 96 5.7 vortec motor would be my ultimate motor for my raider.
I have done about 15 TBI motor swaps (305 4.3, and 350's) 3 Vortec Swaps (5.7, and 4.3's) 1 Holley EFI to GM TBI swap, a carb Swap (HeeeeHAW) (though I have not done a CPI swap) Lt1, tuned port, There are more, but I can't remember... I should have written all these down. Anyways.. my point is this. The vortec trucks were Always excelent performers, and super solidly reliable.. Same thing with the TBI trucks. Just a little less power, but EVERYONE likes their motors swaps TBI, CPI, Vortec. No one is going to look at a TBI 4.3, that looks stock in your raider, and scoff at you... I promise. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Good Luck, and keep us posted on whatever you decide. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Thats usually a Plug and play harness, and they are WELL worth the $ if you are not very good with wiring, and able to sort out all the misc wires in a harness. Normally they are presorted, and have the typical power, ground, switched power, brakesignal, wires ready to be hooked up to your truck.

This is normally NOT how I do my swaps, but it is SO much nicer, and eaiser. The reason I dont use them is that alot of people would like to retain the Cruise control, or the up idle AC compressor feather. SImple things like that are generally NOT included in the plug and play harnesses from Painless wiring. I have seen painless harnesses, and they are SUPER NICE!!! Very good quality products imho.

SO if you are not a wiring guru, or know someone who is that you can bribe somehow, lay 7-800 bucks out for a harness. 200 for ecu programming.

Well, I do have access to ALL-DATA program which will help me through the wiring mess and since I manage a shop I have plenty of mechanics that can help. This s-blazer is a wreck of some sort, and it was purchased only for a couple interior parts to complete a different s-blazer. It is from a friend that buys/sells salvage and then dumps them off. He has been watching for me one for some time. I bet he only payed $500 for the whole thing but I'm happy to pay $1k if it is worth it. Now, about the oil pan. Is that going to cause me big issues? Can I keep the ECU in there from the Monte to help with the cruise control and other issues and run it along side the s-blazer ECU to control the engine functions? He said the whole harness is still there and intact and I am welcome to the whole thing.

Well.. the ECU, and wiring are going to have to totally come out. and get ALLLLL taken apart. Major job ahead of you there. I think I had my vortec harnesses down to about 50-60 hours or labor. I would advise totally gutting the montero engine wiring and ECU, and going totally GM in that department.

Get ready for a notebook, multimeter, and lots of time sitting on the floor in your shop/living room/bedroom with that harness. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the warning, I think I will wait for a TBI instead and pass on the Vortec. I have access to both wiring schematics on my work computer but just dont want that much of a headache. And now knowing there is a possibility the oil pan will create issues it sounds like I better wait for a better option.

The vortec is a cool deal is you can make it work with your application.

TBI is fairly easy, but it is not a cake walk either. Lots of harness time here as well. NO ECU reprogramming though. The typical GM 1227747 TBI ecu uses socketed proms, and you can get started burning your own for around 100-150 bucks.

If you go with a 94 or older 4.3, I can help you. I don't know how to solve the 95 and up oil pan problem and electronic tranny problems.