4.3 to 5.7 Swap

[think_07]

Hey Guys,
I've got a 1991 Chevy Cheyenne Heavy Half-ton. Its a regular cab, long box, 2x4.
I am planning on turning it into my first welding truck, but its going to need a power upgrade. Right now its got a 4.3L TBI V6, and auto tranny. I would like to swap in a 350 TBI, and keep the auto in it. Pretty much want to keep it a direct stock swap as much as possible, but probably a crate motor TBI 350 for some more torque, and to keep it reliable. What am I looking at swapping for this to work? Also will all the fuel and wiring harness stuff from my truck right now work? And is the V6 and V8 Auto tranny the same? Also if you have any other suggestions for what I'd need to make the truck beefy enough to be a welding truck that would be great. Thanks so much!

- Greg

[RedHeartbeat]

Save the swap money. Sell the old truck and buy one that already has the V8 in it. You may like the project and like doing it but if it's a company type truck you'd be better off buying a 99+ model with the new gen3 engine so that you get the better dependability, better fuel mileage and more power from direct port injection. You can pick one of the newer body style truck up with a V8 4.8 or 5.3L engines for starting around $5000 for a single cab long bed like you already have.

[think_07]

I've thought about going both ways. If I was to buy another truck I'd be looking for a Diesel 1 ton. Just wanted to price out this project, like you said, I'd enjoy doing it too. I still might get a diesel to be a work truck, but would like to do this swap, as I'm really fond of my truck, and what to keep it around for a long time. From what I've been reading in the other posts, this sounds like a pretty direct swap. From what I understand I can use the same TBI throttle body and all the same wiring harness stuff, and also my same transmission. The only thing I'd really need to change is my motor mounts, and get myself the motor. And also if I did a cam, etc. I'd need to get a chip burned? The truck doesn't have any AC so stuff like that shouldn't be a problem. Any other things I will need to change? Or should look out for? Thanks

[heavypulling]

you will need a custom chip burned just to put the v8 in 4.3 computer won't work.