TheSamba.com :: View topic - PLEASE REPLY. 4.3L Chevy Engine in a Johnny Speed & Chro

Thu Feb 25, 2010 8:01 am

I have a Johnny Speed and Chrome Frame. The rear was widened to fit a car engine. I have a 3-rib bus tranny with 3x3 trailing arms and bilenstein nitrogen shocks on the back. I want to put a 4.3L chevey engine, it weighs about 425lbs and puts out roughly 190 hp. My main concerns are - Is 425lbs to heavy for the stock style rear end even though I have nitrogen shocks and rear trailing arms? Will a 3-rib bus tranny handle 190 hp?
Any help especially if you have experience with a 4.3 in a buggy will be much appreciated.

I have pics I can send so you can have a better look at my rear setup.
You can email me direct @ [email protected]

Thu Feb 25, 2010 8:37 am

That is too much weight for stock equipment. You will need an upgraded center section in the torsion housing and some really stiff torsion bars to hold it up. By the way, they are nitrogen shocks, not nitrous.

Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:56 am

If you beat on it the frame will start cracking all over.

Thu Feb 25, 2010 11:29 am

Major Woody wrote: I have heard about those bilenstein shocks. They can handle anything.

normally I would disagree with you, but since he's got the nitrous ones, yeah, they can handle anything.

Thu Feb 25, 2010 12:05 pm

Thanks for the input so far. Does anyone out there have a sand rail w/ a 4.3L in it or know anyone who does?

Thu Feb 25, 2010 12:07 pm

there was a guy with a Ford 3.8 (supercharged) in his Baja. He pulled it out to put a small Ford 4 cylinder in it. He kept breaking parts.

Most of the guys running V6's are running the Honda's because they make 300hp and are all aluminum so they weigh probably 100 lbs less than your 4.3.

I'm all for non-VW motors in off-road cars, but there's so many cheap, light, powerful motors today, its not really worth considering the 4.3.

Thu Feb 25, 2010 1:12 pm

Florida_Buggy wrote: there was a guy with a Ford 3.8 (supercharged) in his Baja. He pulled it out to put a small Ford 4 cylinder in it. He kept breaking parts.

The guy with the Ford V6 is Tako, the first response to the OP. My friend ran a 4.3 w/aluminum heads in his rail with a 091 trans and worked well. With the weight and power, you will need to upgrade the rest of the drivetrain and suspension.

Thu Feb 25, 2010 6:54 pm

you could offset the tail load with a mid engine design. then the engine oe transaxle could be used too. It would be a halfshaft hitparade after that.
or something--I had a corvair baja 20 years ago

Thu Feb 25, 2010 7:39 pm

My friend had a single seater stadium racer with a 4.3. It had a later bus trans. The frame was extra stout. The front end was still light. He always finished but never in the top ten. It was fun to watch as the wheels could be put in the air on demand. If your really kind to the 3 rib it will hold for a while. Almost everyone I now with a V^ has switched to a Mendeola box.
I'd stick with a well built 2275 or a lighter all aluminium engine.

Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:13 pm

My cousin has had several 4.3 motors. None in a rail, but he has one in a Blazer currently. It's a great motor. As I understand it, it's based on a 350, so the bellhousing is the same. Many of the parts from the 350 are bolt on as well. There are a lot of after market parts for a 4.3 as well. As mentioned before, aluminum heads will help with weight.

Lots of info on the 4.3 here: http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/113_0208_chevy_43l_262ci_v6_engine_build/index.html

Fri Feb 26, 2010 12:28 am

I always heard it referred to as "Johnny's Chip & Peel"... my 2 cents.

Fri Feb 26, 2010 4:13 pm

With the 3 rib a 1200cc would be enough power! but seriously AIR COOLED RULES!

Fri Feb 26, 2010 5:59 pm

I had a 1641 and that wasnt enough to even spin the tires in second. Then I built a 1835 w/ a mild cam and rediculous carb and that isnt enough, its fast but just not what I am looking for. With that said if you know anyone who is looking for a turn key 1835 w/ exaust I have one for sale.

Fri Feb 26, 2010 6:44 pm

Fire you engine builder. :) An 1835 witha a VZ 14 cam, great heads and dual carbs will spin tires on asphalt with ease. A 2275 with dual 45 IDF Webers, Steve Tims Stage Two heads and a W 125 cam would get you at least 170 hp and be lighter and quicker than the 3/4 V8 Chevy 4.3.
That said if you have the Chevy 4.3 just put it in. You will have a lot of cheap fun. The adapter is cheap and will resell with ease if you decide you don't like it. Another bonus is the 4.3 will need less regular maintaince. You can always reinforce the frame in the style of a race frame. Installing the missing cross bracing helps alot of with frame breakage. The main thing is to get that rail out and have fun with it. :)