4.3 or 5.3?

[OzarksYJ]

OK...  Dead horse time.
Tranny is out of 2.5 YJ, no reverse and slipping, ('95), so do I do the whole drive train swap? Any advantages of the 4.3 other than cost over the 5.3?
Cooling easier? More room to work? Weight savings? What are the better year model S-10's to look for (don't like DBW), cause I have a lead on a 96 and 2000 4x4's.
End results of YJ are HP D60, 14 bolt (in possesion) and 37's to whatever...
  waddayathink 

[YJ_Aaron]

Personally I would do a vortec 5.7 or 5.3.  I'm currently running a vortec 4.3 (02 S-10) so one of the highest factory HP 4.3's.  Yes it's lighter, you have more mounting option locations for a better balance, and they generate slightly less heat.

That and after having a 350 in a jeep this one is much more fuel efficient while wheeling.

Now having said that a V8 is on my to do list in the next few years.  There have been a couple and it has been rare that I needed more power and torque.  With what I do for a living mine will be a 425hp 383 when I decide to throw the coin at it. 

[OzarksYJ]

One interesting note I've found so far is that 5.3 V8's are $200 plus cheaper than 4.3 V6's from U pull yards under equal conditions.

[CRAZY LARRY]

go with the 5.3 you will need the power when you change axles.

[YJ_Aaron]

I'm agreeing with Larry completely, if going through the trouble LS platform is hard to beat.

[OzarksYJ]

Ok dudes and dudettes,
 Got a 5.3 GenIII with everything on it and 25K on the odometer.
Question: What source for radiator? Do I look for a salvage or get a aftermarket conversion to fit in the YJ compartment and where/who do you suggest?

[YJ_Aaron]

Griffin.

[OzarksYJ]

Griffin is great, no doubt, but I'm trying to keep cost down as much as possible. Will check.
Next question: Motor mounts? What maker, Novak, AA, or any others that are known and trusted? Remember that this is a '95 YJ swap with a built 700R4/231 combo for now.

[junkyard]

i like using speedway aluminum radiators, 150.00 shipped to your door. Motor mounts i use the street rod mounts for a chevy motor. they can weld or bolt in and create a crossmember under the motor. shy away from the mounts with the pancake rubber mounts. they tend to wera out fast.

those two ite,s will run you about 300.00 total shipped to your door. I have installed about 40 of these while doing v8 swaps in jeeps and landcruisers. I have personally beat the heck out of rigs running the street rod motor mount cradles and have had wonderful outcomes.



http://www.speedwaymotors.com/S-B-B-B-or-90-Degree-V6-Chevy-Crossmember-Mount,3273.html
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Chevy-Universal-Radiators,3557.html

[OzarksYJ]

OK... Project has been on hold and with that ya always start debating on which way to go. Iffin you were to daily drive a rig would you limit it to D44/8.8 and 35/37's or do the whole ton stuff and be done with it?  All concepts still apply (DD, trail rig), YJ on leafs, spring over with 5.3 and 700r which I have. The way things are going I may just sell all of it...