Sinking Creek 4WD Association

jac6695 wrote:Dry sump on a aluminum 5.3 (cheap, very cheap). Small, low weight, tons of power.

Please point me in the direction of these cheap aluminum 5.3's. I hear about them all the time, but can never find them lol

So tell me more about 4.3's...what kind of power are they capable while maintaining reliability?

As with all engines, it depends on how much money you are willing to put into them... We talking $200, $2000, or $20,000?

As budget as possible. I know I can pick up an iron block 5.3 for $7-800, so for that kind of money is it worth fooling with a 4.3 or should I just go with the 5.3 and deal with the oiling issues?

I'm trying to figure out if I can build a nice little buggy for under $10k in parts. T-case will either be a BUILT D300 or an Atlas(probably Atlas). Axles will be 80-series cruiser axles(8" front, 9.5" rear). I've got the axles already. Not sure what I'll do for suspension, i.e. air shocks, ORI's, or coilovers. Links will probably be heim/bushing unless I get a deal on something better. If I can keep the drivetrain under $3k, that would be perfect, which assuming I can get a used atlas in the $1500 range, leaves me $1500 for engine/trans.

Thoughts?

4.3L TBI motor from a late 80's early 90's S-10/Astro Van will do good. 170HP if memory serves. You can add headers and a Edelbrock TBI intake for ~$300. If you take the motor apart, I'd put flat top pistons in it and have the block cut down to proper clearances. You can put in a mild cam (very mild unless $500 is going to be spent on custom tuning the engine to the new cam) to help out a little. Probably make 190HP fairly easy. Remember to keep all the sensors working. The kits that run w/o an O2 sensor are just wasting power and fuel economy.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=893194

Good deal if I can get it for $1000 and sell the t-case for $200?

Arya Ebrahimi wrote:
Please point me in the direction of these cheap aluminum 5.3's. I hear about them all the time, but can never find them lol

I have seen them on Ebay and car-part.com for about 7-800 w/o harness and who knows what accessories. I suppose I shouldn't have said very cheap, but meant that in a relative sense (to the other suggestions regarding LSx variants). I would seriously look around for a wrecked Camaro or vehicle with a 5.3 in it. Then you have the harness/accessories/random parts, and likely could part out the vehicle to make back some cash.

If you aren't interested in doing all that, I have seen 5.3's on Craigslist as well. If you found that LQ9 for 2 grand, I am sure you could find a 5.3/trans/transfer case for less then 1500 with a little searching and willingness for a road trip.

I like the 4.3 idea. Decent power, dependable and less weight then a V8. My opinion is if you go that far, you might as well go with a small block V8. Might be about 150 pounds more? A lot more power potential. If interested, I am willing to sell my LT1 out of my Blazer for $400 with harness (factory harness from the Caprice it came out of) and accessories. It is an iron head version, but likely close to 300 HP like it is.

I have this problem with doing things halfway, and I know if I go V8, I'll end up with a crazy LSx motor that blows shit up constantly

I think a solid V6 will get me where I want to be and still be reliable(hopefully)

Any comments on the link I posted? Seems like a decent deal with the parts that are included.

Its not the route you are looking at, but an idea for you. Remember that black Acura I used to drive? Well I have kept it. Whenever I go to my parents place I start it up. Just in case I want to make a buggy. Well I thought I would there for a while, but it is not looking very practical for me now. Engine could use a tune up, dont remember the weight, light, but 140hp stock. Trade you for the D300.

I've been tempted by that idea before and it's a pretty sweet way to build a budget buggy IMO.

I really want front digs and 2 seats, and the compromises that are required to accomplish those two things with a transaxle buggy aren't acceptable to me.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

Some of those transaxles could take a modified ARB. If you had a brake disc on front and rear outputs of the transaxle that are independently operated, you could open the transaxle diff, lock one of the brakes, and accomplish a front or rear dig.

Been there, had that discussion, it's harder than it sounds. Using an ARB/diff of any kind to transmit front/rear dig requires the driven wheels to spin twice as fast as normal. It's a great way to roast an ARB(did it in my old XJ doing peg leg burnouts )

I'm not doing a transaxle buggy, let's move on

Oh if you talk yourself into a 4.3 I have a deal for you. 95ish (can't remember right now) S10 Blazer, 4.3/4L60E/NP2xx in a complete truck. My brother got it a couple of years ago since it was abandoned w/o title at the auction he hauls for (they couldn't sell it w/o title and wasn't worth it to track down). Anyway, we never ran it. Seemed to have a coolant issue and there is a new freeze plug in the truck. Likely simple issue. Anyway, 200 to come pull out whatever you want? Meaning you can have engine/trans/TC/harness/fuel pump/fuel lines/air filter/air filter box/you get the idea.