New towing vehicle. Is a 4.3 liter V6 large enough?

[Don B]

I need a new towing vehicle. I have a 17 1/2 foot OMC Roughneck boat. Does anybody have a Chevy or GMC equipped with a Vortex V6?
Is it strong enough or should I opt. for the V8 engine?

Thanks in advance

Don Brudny

[cisco]

Every GM product I've had good luck with (all being tow vehicles) has been one with the old reliable 350 V-8.

[Phil T.]

It's not just the towed weight, it's the total weight. My coworker tows a rig heavier than yours with a 4.3L in an old S-10. That engine in a full-sized pickup would not be strong enough.
Pick up the towing brochure at your dealer's showroom, and study it.

[Capt. Keith Wils]

I have a 4.3 engine in my full size 4 wheel drive Chev PU it has 113000 miles on it. I have over half the miles on it pulling a Triton 205 and it does just fine.
Capt.Keith Wils

[Boatnut]

According to the 2000 model year ratings as published in Trailerboats magazine, the max. rating for the 4.3 is 5900 lbs.
This requires (in the 1500 pickup) a 3.73 axle ratio and a weight distributing hitch. In order to achieve max. towing capacity, most manufacturers require this type of hitch. If you're approaching 80% of the 5900 lbs with your rig, I'd suggest a larger engine. Remember, the 5900 lbs is the boat, trailer , gas, gear, beer, etc...it all adds up in a hurry! The ratings are also based on a standard equipped vehicle and driver.
The more passengers you have and equipment (4 wheel drive etc.) will reduce the rating.

Mike(boatnut)

[chadk66]

I have a 95 chev. 1/2 ton pickup with 4.3 liter v6. This is not even a vortec but a straight 4.3. I work construction and pull bobcat skid loaders on large trailers all over the place. Also an enclosed trailer nearly every day. It is a manual 5 speed tranny. It has 165,000 miles on it and still does not burn a drop of oil. The only thing that has ever been replaced is the cap and rotor, and the alternator. It is not an acceleration demon, but does just fine pulling those heavy loads. You just have to keep it out of overdrive.

[dj]

I have a 4.3lt astro van that pulls my 21 footer. Motor has 115,000 miles, burns no oil, first tuned up at 95,000mi., very reliable motor. Its not very fast but does the job.

[Hans]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-11-01 AT 10:18PM (CST)[p]I pulled my boats with a Chev S10 and 4.3L engine for a few years. It was H-E-L-L!

Poor mileage, poor acceleration, overheating on grades, impossible to pass on 2 lanes. In a word, it SUCKED!

Get a 4.8L or 5.3L V8.

Hans

[cmb]

My father-in-law towed his 20' cuddy with a 4.3l astro for 10 years. 100K+ miles. it worked just fine. also, I had a college buddy that used his fullsized 4X4 v6 bowtie truck to hual a large utility trailer with fire wood (on an almost daily basis). (it was a great way to stay in shape and pay for school) no problems. even though it is "only a 6" this engine has plenty of tourque and is not much smaller than a small V8. If this is what you can afford, and or it is the best compromise go for it!

[water_wolf]

I have a Chevy S Blazer & an S-10 both with 4.3L vortex. I tow my Lund Fiserman 1700 all over with no problem. The only thing I would suggest is that you have a transmission cooler installed in it.

Rich Ferguson

[cmb]

Hans, I don't know the exact HP and torque ratings, but do you think the extra 30(or so) cubic inches of the small 8 makes that much difference? Intuitivly I would opt for the V8, but is the difference realy significant?

[Hans]

GM puts the 4.3L in trucks for a single reason -- to boost their average fleet gas mileage number for the Feds. It's a poor engine for a truck and the difference between it and even the smallest V8 is HUGE!

The 4.3L V6 is 200HP,
The 4.8L V8 is 270HP,
The 5.3L V8 is 285HP,
The 6.0L V8 is 300HP.

Worse yet, the 4.3L normally comes with a 3.08 gear ratio
while the V8's come with 3.42 or higher ratio. That poor little 6-banger is working it's heart out just pulling itself down the road, let alone hauling any load.

Been there, done that, it SUCKED! I now have a 5.3L, and can't believe the difference. Interestingly, my gas mileage only went down an average of about 1.5MPG when towing, and .5MPG when empty.

Hans

--
"I long for the dear old lakeshore, where I dreamed my youth away;
for a dreamer lives forever, and a toiler dies in a day.
From the sleepless thoughts endeavor, I would go where the children play;
For a dreamer lives forever, And a thinker dies in a day."

[Phil]

Don I bought a s-10 with a 4.3 in it. I pull a 3500lb(package waight)boat. I had to change the gear ratio from 3.08 to3.73. It does pull my boat. My friend got a 1/2ton with a 5.0 in it an it don't even know my boat back there. the 5.0 is not that much bigger but there's a big difference in toreq(i dont think i spell that right)

[cmb]

my experience has been similar in the fuel milage department. I have had 2.3l, 3.0l, and 4.0l rangers, and go figure they all got/get similar MPG averages.

your premise that they sell the 4.3 for fuel ratings dosent make sense though. If that were truly the case they would be offering it in a flexible fuel (gas or ethanol) version to take advantage of the much higher "bonus" ratings given to such vehicles by the feds. (this is one reason Ford is and has been pushing the 3.0l rangers)

none the less, if the torque ratings folow the same trends as the HP figures you gave I would definitly opt for the V8 if I could.

[Smitty]

I would first completely agree with the suggestion to get a tranny cooler.. My dad pulls a 1700 Pro Sport heavily loaded (mom's stuff - hehe)with his '94 Chevy 1500 2WD with a 4.3.. As others have mentioned, it's no speed demon but it works. If the small V8 wasn't a big $ jump, I would probably opt for it as from what I have seen dad doesn't seem to get any better mileage with the 4.3 than others with the V8, and you just can't have too much power..

[Box]

A buddy of mine has an 89 K1500 with the 4.3. He has about 180,000+ miles on it, without engine or transmission repair.

He pulls a 17' aluminum boat with 90 hp motor.

He has a 3-speed manual (not sure of ratio, but I'm sure it is most likely 3.73 given the rest of his setup - he ordered it special).

It pulls his boat fine, and it could easily do a bigger boat.

He doesn't go fast, but he goes long distances (regular trips from Twin Cities to Rainy and Kabie) and gets pretty decent milage, I think. Although I think he has an extra large tank, so that may be why we rarely have to refuel.

My Dad currently has three Blazers (one for sale) with the 4.3 and also used one up after about 190K - engine was weak, but still running great. The tranny and body went to #####.

They pull our boat (18' alum boat with 150) just fine, but that is a lot of weight behind a light truck. I'd think the 4.3 in a full size truck would work just fine for about anything, provided you aren't wanting to set records.

With that said, I have a 98 K1500 with 350 and 3.73 axle, and will never go back to v-6 or small trucks... :) My last truck was Ranger with 3.0 l v-6.

Good luck with whatever you get!

Box in MN

[Hans]

After all the smoke and dust clears, it costs less than $500 to upgrade from the 4.3L V6 to a 4.8L V8. If anyone puts a 4.3L in a half-ton pickup, it's the dumbest $500.00 savings I ever heard of.

Hans

[Fish Hound]

Definately fo with the V8. The 4.3 will do the job and is rated to tow a lot of weight. However in the long run you will be happier with the V8. Been there, done that and never again.
Hound

[delgue]

That 4.3 is a great engine,i have 248k on a 90 S-10(i travel in my business),with just regular maintanence. However, towing over 2500 lb is pushing it to the limit even with the proper rear end ratio. It will work, but while towing the difference between even a small block V-8 and the 4.3 in handeling,ride,gas milage and weaar and tear on the tranny is significant(you will have to change out tranny fluid every 15,000-the color will turn from red to light carmel-time to changeout)--if You have the chance to drive the difference while towing before you buy, do it and Your choice making process will be over. Go with the small block V-8, you wont regret it.
good luck

[spampy]

Ive owned the 4.3 in a full size GMC and towed a 175 alumacraft.I traded for 2000 5.3 GMC the towing at interstate speeds is the biggest difference, the hills in Iowa killed the 4.3 at 70mph in 4th gear also this wound the engine to 3500 which really consumed the gas. The 5.3 will set you back in your seat. The amazing thing I get better gas mileage with the 5.3 in and out of town. One other thing no one wants a full-size pickup with the 4.3, trade-in will be difficult. Buy the 5.3 you wont regret.

[ebijack]

look back at the 350 and 305 v-8's from the mid 70's to the early 90's. a 79 350 was 160hp, 305 was 140 hp and just broke 200hp (trucks..not corvette) after the 90's. pre early 70's the numbers are not really comparable due to manufactures using gross hp/torq and not "net" where all accessories have to be installed and used. after mid 95, the 4.3 had some major changes, but still with it being at 190hp is what a 89 350 was and the torque being the same comparison also. the new 4.8 and 5.3 v-8's ARE great motors. they surpass the old 350's by leaps and bounds. but for any of you who have been towing using a suburban/van from the 70's or 80's will find the 4.3 v-6 is right at the same hp/tourque numbers you have been using for many years. also, pre-85 you were towing with a 3 speed trans )(auto) and not the early 4 speeds that really had some lacking as far as upshifts/downshifts at the correct power points. as the technology of today is spoiling anyone who gets the chance to use it, you wouldn't want to go back to the old. the main factor in choice would have to be weather you tow in rough conditions (hills etc) and how much/often you tow and how much weight you tow. all the gm tow ratings (in their towing book)are with one person in the vehicle.

[KatB]

I've never complained about having too much motor. I've complained plenty for not enough. Buy a v-8. Quite being cheap.

[ET]

'99 Astro 4.3 with 2wd. 373 Rear Axle. Fantastic tow vehicle for Reasonable size Aluminum Rigs. Good Power, Decent Gas and LOTS of Room. Not to mention half the price of a Suburban. Enough Said.