CHEAP, LOW-BUCK, JUNKYARD BOOSTED V6 BATTLE: 3800 VS VORTECH 4.3L, STOCK(ISH), MODS THEN WITH BOOST!

[@martinsaine1336]

Many years ago I built a 4.3 in a 1500 truck with 5spd. Used a Vortech from an F-body kit and made my own pullies for 15lbs. That truck was a hoot to drive! Really good daily, with just enough pop to play with most of the cars from that Era. Unfortunately, a thief relieved me from the burden of repeated tire replacement....

[@shadowopsairman1583]

lifeonlimiter has a LU3

[@forterierocks]

Both great engines but the 3800 is a little monster with very little work.

[@TomSmith-cv8hk]

530,000 k's on my LP Gas 3.8, changed heads a while back, was struck with how good the ports and chambers are, and they work well with the little weenie Holden 181 degree cam.

[@boostedbird4799]

Wonder what the M90 would do on the vortec 4.3? Be interesting to see which junkyard V6 makes more power using the same junkyard M90.

[@shadowopsairman1583]

The 4.3

[@joelsavage8254]

Yes

[@boostedbird4799]

@@shadowopsairman1583 I think it'll be close, but gut says 3800 on top stock for stock. 260 crank vs 190 crank. Add the M90 to the 4.3 and nothing else and it'll probably pick up 40 horse-ish like all the other top swap 3800 builds - and end up with like 230ish crank.

[@antuanperez426]

@@boostedbird4799It’s 260 crank on the 3.8 when the blowers already in it 🤣

[@boostedbird4799]

@@antuanperez426 and? Without the blower it makes 205 crank on an na 3800, and the vortec makes 190 crank. Slap the blower on an na 3800 and it'd be like 275ish crank from the higher cr. I think a junkyard V6 vs a junkyard V6 with the same M90 would be a fair comparison worth watching

[@Rampant_Colt]

I really could've used this information about twenty years ago. Good stuff, Richard!

[@leftcoastdrifter]

I love all this V6 stuff you're doing lately. Please keep it up, it's very interesting see what you can do with the red headed step child of engines lol.

[@gbgn1]

Hard to make an exact comparison. I think with the 4.3's compression and the Torque storm Blower on I think these engines would be basically neck and neck. Personal opinion , Over all the 3800 is the motor I'd want forsure.

[@johnbehneman1546]

GREAT VIDEO RICHARD!!!! BOTH ARE GREAT MOTORS!!!!

[@slaydrews_garage]

Richard I love the videos ! I have a cammed 3800 camaro that im converting a Gen V M90 to work on, and 4.3 V6 Silverado. Love both of these engines ! It would be awesome to see you test a Honda J30 V6 with a custom plate to put a M90 on it. I have heard of some jdm guys doing this, curious to see the power number/ I think other viewers would too

[@aliciaANDanthonySandoval]

Now swap superchargers and compare. Go. Great video like always 😁👍🏼

[@DillonAuto]

Just as interesting to me would be a turbo 3.8, the final version which was in the Trans Am.

[@josephhertzberg2734]

I have to go on the record to say I'm in love with the chevy 4.3

[@calambres6614]

Im posting this on the s10 FB group 😂😂😂 for the memes this video is going to be great

[@Kincentc]

The last 3.8 weeks have been fun in there 🤣🤣🤣

[@78elky]

I've had both engines in multiple cars, but the 3800sc sure is a lot more power when you consider it in stock form to a stock form 4.3

[@EGGINFOOLS]

Ive built my 98ss 4.3 to make 470whp. Ive owned many 4.3s. My 94 2wd 4door blazer was bone stock. I could holeshot modded GTPs all day long with that blazer but past 60 I got the shit kicked out of me. 😅. It never ripped tires. Just launched. After building 4.3s ive always wanted a 3800 fbody to mod. Wish I would have. Those 3800s with a turbo are nice.

[@MsKatjie]

Interesting, as always. They just don't sound the same, minlus them 2 back pots! However 3800 for me, as that was a legend motor out here Oz.. in stock form, looked after { oil, and filters} , they went for ever!

[@SmittySmithsonite]

I had an 89 S-10 blazer with a worn out 4.3. Got another out of a ‘00 Jimmy, put an intake & a manual choke Edelbrock carb on it with a Chinese HEI distributor off eBay. Thing ran better than it ever did in the Jimmy. Had nothing but check engine lights & misfires in that thing before. The ‘89 was a blast to drive after that. Just a bone stock engine, no mods, except for the carburetor and intake. As soon as the fuel injection went away, it became the most reliable vehicle in my fleet lol. 😂 Except for that Chinese distributor. The HEI modules were good for about 8K miles before they would fail. Had to do some serious modification, but I got all Echlin components to work inside it from NAPA, then that engine was bulletproof. Got 17.5 MPG. It got 18 with fuel injection in the Jimmy as it was from the factory. That half mile per gallon loss was probably because I was stomping it to the rug everywhere I went, since it was so much fun lol. 😎

[@shadowopsairman1583]

That 00 engine is the L35

[@thatsonebadhatharry8610]

Don't forget the newer 4.3 V6 LS derived version. That would make even more power.

[@richardholdener1727]

I have vids up on the Lv1/LV3 (LT based)

[@shadowopsairman1583]

You mean LS Based LT which is Gen 5 SBC, there was never a Gen 3/4 4.3L, it was Gen 1/2 SBC before the LV1

[@hughs6]

I had a friend with a '98 Camaro with a 3800 5 speed and another friend with a 2000 S10 Extreme Extwnded Cab with a 4.3 5 speed. I think the 3800 was rated for 210 hp and the 4.3 at 190. The 4.3 had more torque. I was sitting passer in the S10 and the Camaro jad a passenger as well. They raced for about a half mile and it was neck and neck down a two lane road. The race ended when a car was coming down the road from the opposite direction.

[@davidresar8256]

4.3l ftw I had a slightly modified one in a 96 gmc swb it'd leave the v8 trucks in the dust! I even beat a 454ss with it!

[@Kincentc]

Given that the TS kit is $3500, i gotta give my vote to the 3800. But all in all. Both fun with boost

[@karlmoltzan6196]

Richard, I would like you ti revisit the 4.3l V6 vs the /.3l V8 because you talked about them but never compared the dyno runs in the same video. Just a suggestion for a missing video.

[@richardholdener1727]

there is a 4.3L v6 v 4.3L V8 video up

[@karlmoltzan6196]

@@richardholdener1727 But it does not have both dyno runs. only 1 had been tested. the other you had to get working. Please check the video. i have watched it more than once.

[@sstevocamaro]

@@karlmoltzan6196that would be an awesome comparison

[@GrandPitoVic]

I love both of these engines. Ive had both at one time ir another. They are both great engines. Bith had their own issues over the years. Bith of those engine have been around for decades. Awesome dyno run brother.

[@shawnsatterlee6035]

Wtf is bith?

[@NBSV1]

@@shawnsatterlee6035Both.

[@GrandPitoVic]

Supposed to be both

[@johnbehneman1546]

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[@michaelblacktree]

Interesting stuff. But I'd love to see some GM 60-degree V6 content in the future. Anything up to and including the High Value engines has the same bellhousing as the 3800. The High Feature engines are different though.

[@vortecmacs]

I just want to see how a 4.3 does with an M90.

[@jplperformance9073]

Love me some 3800

[@jimruell1375]

Put 255,000 miles on a 2000 s-10 before the fuel pump went out. had a 4.3.also have a 2015 canyon 3.6 with 260,000 and a buick lesabre limited with a 3.8 with 180,000 miles and still seems brand new.

[@danielriccobono699]

Richard, do you have any data on the benefits of performance valve jobs? Im curious how much power people lose by going from a 3 angle to a 1 angle or how much they gain going from a 3 angle to a 5 angle

[@midniter2001]

The v6 battle is dope, but I think the Ford v6 vs the gm v6 is a great battle. I've had both a gm 3800 supercharged, and it was great but transmission was the car I had(regal) downfall And a Ford mustang 3.8 that was stock everything and it has a custom single turbo and ran 10 psi boost just fine. The downfall was the tired seals with the added stress from turbo. It eventually leaked oil from everywhere lol. I'm sure a refreshed 3.8 would have lasted quite some time. Both felt similar in power just in different areas of rpm range. Now I know Ford did the 3.8 supercharged as well. But that was the older style 3.8 and the heads and intake was different on the one I put turbo on. Both my regal and mustang was factory ECU, internals etc. the only mod I did for the mustang was a blow through MAF sensor. But I believe the stock sensor would have done just fine.

[@yotasavage]

Love this v6 stuff!

[@Scott02]

Do you have any pland for testing on the GM high feature v6? Like the 3.6L LFX for example? These are getting super popular for swaps with their DI, DOHC with dual VCT, and intergrated exhaust manifolds (small engine footprint).

[@7passu]

I been wanting to see the m90 on the 4.3 for years now. I was hoping you was going to fab it on when I saw this video

[@infernoking7504]

Im taking the 3.8 series 2 3800

[@tturi2]

using that blower manifold without the supercharger is a great way to show that the short runners actually can affect the power

[@richardholdener1727]

That video is up

[@Nicetrybutnotsleeping]

The perfect example of "comparing apples to oranges"

[@kevinjokipii4260]

The ancient Chevy 229 would have been closer to apples to apples, but only if you used a really early 262 rather than a more recent Vortec. Except I wouldn't wish the 229 on anyone. I had one in a Malibu and it was a real three-legged dog.

[@JosephCowen-fz8vj]

Why not 4.1 litre 252ci Buick V6 and a 4.3 litre 262 ci Chev V6 and a LT 262 ci V6 ??

[@erikbock2211]

Would love to see that m90 and a custom manifold grafted to a tacoma 3.4 v/6 at 13lbs of boost to see what kind of power it could make!

[@awd_pirate1946]

Would love to see both of these with a ebay gt35, especially the 4.3 I think it would easily put it over a na 6.2 in a truck, even with stock cam

[@richardholdener1727]

we ran the 3800 with a gt45-it made 612 hp at 15 psi

[@EGGINFOOLS]

I had a modded 4.3 in my 98ss. Made 470whp on the vortech kit they used to sell at 15psi. Oversped by far. Meth injection multiport fuel injection comp cam and ported heads. It was very fun.

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Do the 4.3 as the L35/LU3 FI with the Spider injection or Marine intake

[@FIREPHILSPENCER]

Two of the best v6 engines ever made but if I had to choose its 4.3 all day.

[@jmflournoy386]

I have a 4.3 in a 96 half ton crew cab great ideas will 4l60e first

[@Guns_N_Gears]

Hi Richard, any idea what each complete setup weighs?

[@richardholdener1727]

no sir

[@tomryan31]

Have you tried this with the Ford 4.0L OHV? It might be worth a comparison! Using the m90 to supercharge it is somewhat 'common'

[@richardholdener1727]

m90 on the 4.0l is common?

[@GearlessChris]

Is there a rear wheel drive transmission for the 3800?

[@richardholdener1727]

yes-in the F-body cars

[@neilziesmer6109]

3800 FOR SURE

[@vettesrule3170]

I'd choose an LV1/LV3 with twin GT25 turbo's from ebay. Obviously all the other go fast goodies too like cam, springs, bigger injectors, etc.

[@richardholdener1727]

harder to get enough fuel flow on that motor

[@ethanwild3301]

What do you think of Ford's DOHC 3.7 Cyclone V6 and SOHC 4.0 Cologne V6?

[@ethanwild3301]

also the 3.5 L Ford EcoBoost V6

[@richardholdener1727]

have never run one

[@tturi2]

go for a duratec v6 and put cosworth cams in it

[@fmcka0508]

Thanks for your channel Richard, one major question for you just to get started… my 03’ s10 4.3 has been sitting outdoor south Florida for the last 8 years or so. Blown trans and has been sitting since. My question is this im finally going to get started working on it but after sitting for so long I’m not really sure as to what are the “must does” before I even attempt to start her up. I don’t want to make things any worse than what they could right now. Should I replace fuel pump and filter fresh fuel oil change and let her rip ?

[@richardholdener1727]

make sure it spins over with a socket on the balancer bolt with no plugs in-spray wd40 or other penetrant in the bores

[@stupidlegos6485]

On a Chevy 5.3 is a single exhaust better or is a dual exhaust set up better ? Looking to upgrade my exhaust system !

[@richardholdener1727]

better for what

[@stupidlegos6485]

@@richardholdener1727 Torque and/or horsepower production

[@modeverything1]

Now let's see what the 3900 will do!

[@NeverLiftPerformance-by7vz]

Please do a cyclone 3.7 boosted

[@ahotmess2261]

Richard where's the intercooler on the 4.3L?

[@richardholdener1727]

the blow through carb

[@kenmoule825]

Weights? The 3300 obviously ran out of head volume. That can be improved and likely make more power per cube far easier than cutting on iron. Your thoughts?

[@richardholdener1727]

3300?

[@thegdfp6447]

4.3 had the swirl port heads? Vortecs are worth a ton of power, and should bury the Buford

[@bobbyhillhead4205]

I wanna see 4.2 ford vs 4.3 Chevy my stock f150 scoots pretty good 😊

[@faustthehammer8706]

put a turbo on either of them you get monster power

[@johnbehneman1546]

ALTHOUGH THE 4.3 PRODUCES MORE TORQUE. WHICH IS WHAT I NEED.

[@Allianceoffroad]

The 4.3 needed some decent headers no the junk manifolds

[@normp3273]

What's more desirable an inline 6 or a V6? With both being boosted with turbos

[@DillonAuto]

There is a correct answer, but many will say what they want.

[@richardholdener1727]

there is no 1 correct answer-there is only your choice

[@99alexisagc]

Someone’s been hanging around the s10 groups on Facebook lately 😂. There’s literally a war going on rn 3800 vs 4.3/5.3

[@Psy6o]

Turbo swap the 3800 and it comes to life

[@Psy6o]

I was talking about the super charged ford 3.8 of that was in the sc Thunderbird turbo swap it and watch out

[@TommyToboggan611]

You from the s10 group? 3800 swap is life

[@richardholdener1727]

not from a group

[@Go4BrokeOffroad]

Ford 4.0 in ohv and ohc would probably whoop both of these. Rowdy little engines.

[@FIREPHILSPENCER]

The Ford 4.0 OHC could put up a fight but the OHV version would get spanked by both.

[@Go4BrokeOffroad]

@@FIREPHILSPENCER a cam wakes the ohv pretty quickly.

[@tturi2]

​@@FIREPHILSPENCERthe dohc spanks both haha

[@TEAMFAVRETTO77]

4.3 is the best

[@chehystpewpur4754]

me having a n/a sbc in place of either of these and having reliability and fuel economy for nothing. priceless. also i make more hp and torque even with a stock tune. and almost no real mods other than the right ones.

[@InnocentMiscreant]

The 4.3 would make more power N/A with actual vortec heads and the mercruiser carbed intake

[@richardholdener1727]

it had actual Vortec heads

[@michaelhrgn]

We need to see a m90 on a 4.3

[@richardholdener1727]

yes

[@henrywashington3732]

3800 on mpg though. I

[@faustthehammer8706]

we all know the story of the 87 gn and the cyclone's beast engines last 300k miles you ask why they don't make them anymore? cause they need to sell you new cars haha

[@bensollman8882]

3800 ftw.

[@gearratio380]

you mean you run alot of chevy stuff

[@richardholdener1727]

I mean a lot of stuff

[@sammysawyers2849]

To much repeating the same description at 4 times. Should be a 5 minute video

[@richardholdener1727]

SHOULD BE A 4-WORD COMMENT

[@sammysawyers2849]

Oh! Intro on loop 😁