4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

Hello all, I have a 95 Talari z190, it has a non-vortec 4.3 (no good) while I am swapping engines it seems I should go with a vortec for a few more horses. That being said, what I need to know is what will not work on the vortec. I know I will need a new intake, but what else. Thanks to everyone!

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

Someone already change the engine? 1995 should have come with the vortec motor. Merc started using them in 1993.
Anyway , other than intake it should be a simple swap.
Welcome to MOC!

Larry

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

Before 96, Vortec was just a name on valve covers, then they changed heads and intake to Vortec parts. I hope someone will correct me if I am wrong.

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

If your motor has a balance shaft it's a vortec engine. Heads are different , Cam is different , Front cover is different , the list goes on and on. 1996 was just the improved Vortec.
1993 was the change over year. There were both types of engines from mercruiser(probably due to left over units).

Larry

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

Larry, thanks for the info, I am glad there are people like you that will help us, now all I need is a vortec head engine. Thanks again.

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

If you can afford it , throw on some aluminum exhaust manifolds. Their like 600 bucks but well worth it in my opinion.
Keep us posted on your progress. :)

Larry

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

But heck if you go for the alum exhaust manifolds might as well go sbc port the intake to the heads aswell as the exhaust. I did it on my old boat with an alpha1 man she flew out of the hole and still had decent top end. Same milage and should bolt right in if you do the exhaust. But I love hp lol.

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

Me too Dark. :)
But then your getting into drive gear changes plus more weight . But like you said "nothin like HP"!!

Larry

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

the 4.3 actually isn't much lighter then the sbc and if you change manifolds will be unnoticable with the extra hp ;) gearing is also so close you can run those adjust prop if you don't like them then changem up. Imo anyway lol. I got a bit carried away on mine when done was at the limit of what an alpha could handle but that's me. :)

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

oohhh , I'm jealous :)

Larry

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

Hey guys, I found a 5.7 today that is from a trustworthy person, that being said, swapping from the 4.3 to the 5.7, I think the coupler will work, bell housing and all else. I will need manifolds, Will I need to move motor mounts? Anything else I might not have thought about, Thanks in advance! Barry

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

Drive Gearing

Larry

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

Larry , I have thought about that, but with the increase in weight, new exhaust manifolds, moving motor mounts and changing gearing, there is not enough horsepower increase, in my opinion, maybe 30, with added weight . My best choice maybe 4.3 after all. It would be easier ? Barry

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

IMO , way easier Chevy. If you had a donor boat it would be different , but there are going to be a whole lot of little things to deal with.
Stick with the 4.3 and maybe aluminum intake , and aluminum manifolds and You outta be around 220-230 hp.

Just my 2 cents worth :)

Larry

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

Thanks a bunch! I may buy the 5.7 anyway, it is a good deal, never know, I have a list of other things to do before an engine anyway, electric hatch actuators work ,no power to switch, bildge pump the same, put the transom assembly back in, bleed trim, it goes on and on, you got to love this stuff! Thanks for the info, hope to be able to return the favor. chevybar

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

Not to highjack a thread but where would one find aluminum manifolds? GLM seems to be the name that keeps coming up but I have not read about performance on the V6.

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

These are the ones I put on my 4.3 Moto. They are GLM. I love em , but I only had them on for about 28hrs run time before motor went south. It had nothing to do with the manifolds , bad build I guess.
Anyway they improved bottom and top end on my 4.3. I'm at 6-9000 ft and definately noticed improvement:)
As long as you aren't running in salt or brackish water I'd go for em!!

Aluminum Marine 4" Exhaust Manifolds Elbows Risers 4.3 262 Mercruiser 59225 kit

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

Good to know. Those were the ones I kept running into. I had no idea what model my motor would need- 3'' or 4'' or ? For under 600 that sounds pretty good.

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

Measure the outside of your riser to y pipe rubber connector. If it is around 4" you got 3" risers. If it's around 5" you got 4" risers.
Thats just a quickey , but should tell ya.

Re: 4.3 vortec or non-vortec
 

If you have a 4bbl carb , it's got 4" risers.