Want more power. Possible rebuild

[SandboxVan2010]

I have a stock 4.3 in my 95 astro and am looking for more power, i was thinking swapping the stock box with the K&N filter for a intake system, but cant seem to find a whole kit with new piping, but my van has 240,000 miles so i was thinking adding more power might lead to a failure of epic proportions. So i was thinking more along the lines of a rebuild. i was wondering if anyone new of any quick, cheap, rebuilds for the 4.3 that make it run like new.

thanks,
sandbox

[ASTROJOE LT1]

What kind of budget do you have for the project ? Sometimes a new longblock is cheaper than a rebuild once you count up all of the parts needed, the machine shop bill and your time.

[rev_les]

Just put a bid honkin' NOS kit on it if you're looking for catastrophic! .. seriously though

What kind of budget do you have for the project ? Sometimes a new longblock is cheaper than a rebuild once you count up all of the parts needed, the machine shop bill and your time.

.
I agree 100%, by the time you pay for boring at 40 to 50 dollars a hole, r&r of the pistons from the rods, unless you have a press, major and minor parts, and a head rebuild to boot, a pre-built long block will more than likely come out WAY cheaper. I have about $500, in a 305 that was given to me, i found the pistons cheap,it didn't really need boring,so it wasn't, and half the parts I got for free from a new rebuild my brother bought and had his own performance parts he wanted to use instead of the stockers.Parts for these motors are considerably more expensive, having the roller cam, balance shaft, short-skirt pistons,etc. It would probably be cheaper, truthfully, to do a v-8 conversion than to rebuild one of these,esp if you're looking for more power.

[astro355]

If you have the time for it, I would recommend a V8 swap also. V8 stuff is cheaper than V6 stuff because of supply and demand, not to mention you have more options with a V8.

But regardless of which engine you went with, a K&N filter may not be the first best choice. An engine is an air pump so the quicker you get the air in and out, the more power you make. Because of that principle, you get the most dramatic gain, you would need to make the exhaust flow better. The catalytic converter is the most restrictive part of the entire system. Installing a high flow cat will give you your best gains.

[SandboxVan2010]

I have an automotive class i take in college and we have all the necessary tools, time and a machine shop for a rebuild, but i was wondering what you guys think, would it be cheaper to rebuild or buy a v8 and swap it out. I also wasn't sure if a v8 swap is done do you need a different transmission too hook up or can u use the stock one from the 6?

[astro355]

You can use the same transmission that the 4.3L V6 uses. If you want more power and a larger aftermarket, you would be better off with the V8 swap.