1985 GMC S15 GMC 2.8 carburated engine swap to 97'Chevy 4.3

JAMESDEAN1967

MEMBER
1985 GMC S15

Engine problem
1985 GMC S15 V6 Four Wheel Drive Automatic Lots miles

I have an 85' GMC jimmy s-15 with a blown up 2.8 carburated V-6.{Hole as big as a football}how ever I was given a 97'chevy 4.3 vortech with TBI. How do I do this, harness does'nt match. Should I find a harness from a 4.3 TBI or will a harness from a 2.8 TBI work. Or would it be easier to swap the intake and and go with carb. Automatic tranny any info would help. Thanks! JamesDean

1 Reply

PEAR69

MECHANIC
1,482 POSTS

Sorry JamesDean, this will not work because the 4.3 motor uses a different computer, And even if you have the right computer your transmission won't work because the tranny you have now does not have the right valve body in it to be compatible with the vortec computer. A 97 computer relies on more than just the motor and trans. To calculate what ever it calculates. Transmission loads, rearend loads and angles, knock sensors, intake pressure, air temperature, oxygen sensor input, etc. Etc. The list goes on and on.I think the newest you can go with an 85' is probably 89' or 90'. Good luck.
A rod let loose, ay?