Does anyone know when or with what GM is going to replace the 4.3L V6 with?? this engine is old as hell. I don't see the trailblazer I6 being a replacement since it is more expensive to produce and has the same HP as the 4.8L V8 (275HP). The old 4.3L is nothing more than a Gen II 350 V8 with 2 cylinders chopped off right? Will we see a Gen III or IV base V6 soon?

Chop 2 cylinders off of the 6.0L V8 and you get a nice 4.5L V6

 

Mabye they'll use the DOHC I5 220hp that is to go in the colorado........
That would be a step up!

 

I assumed that one of the new DOHC Atlas inline engines would replace the 4.3 liter V6. Look at the extended nose of the 2003 Express van, and it looks as if GM was creating room for an inline-5 or 6 cylinder. Considering the weak torque of the 3.5 I5 (225lb/ft versus 255lb/ft for the old V6) I don't see it happening in the full sized vehicles, though. I also don't see how the 4.2 Inline-6 can be cheap enough, or far enough away from 4.8 V8 performance, to replace the old sawed-off V6.

Your idea of a "4.5L V6" might have some insight, though. The Chevrolet Traverse concept had an engine of that displacement, although it was described as a version of the current 4.3L.

 

Good topic. The 4.3L replacement I thought in the beginning was to be the Atlas I6, but now it seems to not be looking that way. This leads me to wonder how much sense it makes to only put this engine in one vehicle line.

Is there any chance they could make a slightly smaller version of the I6 for the full & midsize trucks? Say around 4.0L?

 

I doubt they would use a smaller I6. It would cost just as much to build as the 4.2L I6 plus they would have to pay all the expenses of certifing and engineering it.

It seem that they would need a N/A pushrod V6 with about 240HP and at least 250tq to replace the old 4.3L, GM doesn't really have any truck engines between the 200HP 250tq 4.3L V6 and the 275HP 275tq I6

I have read somewhere that the new High Value 3.5L V6 can be punched out to something like 3.9L, does anyone think this could work?

 

I think a 4.5L V6 based on the 6L V8 would make a great truck motor. A 4.3 based on the LS1 would also be a good option and would be a logical base motor for the Gen 5.

As sweet as the I6 is in an SUV it's too high on complexity and too low on torque for a truck application. I suspect the I4 and I5 will be simularly handicapped.

 

There is a "high torque" 3.8L HV V6 in the works. It would be a great base engine for Camaro. But then again....do you really think Chevy would give Camaro a base motor that costs more than an LS1?

 

I've been expecting the 4.3L to up and die ever since the new full sized trucks debuted in 99.

Seemed rather crude compared to a nice modern truck. Logical replacement would be the 4.2L I6--lots of room in a fullsize for it---plus just think of the braging rights for advertising ect.

Chevy 275hp Dodge 210 Ford 210 (?)

Maybe next fall??

getting off topic a little to V8's;

I sure hope they up the hp, maybe throguh a larger engine for the Chevy/GMC too---that Hemi beats anything in a 1/2 ton
(okay not "SS" and crew cab--even then the cc 6.0 is only 300hp--probably lose)

 

Do you mean HF 3.8L because the HV is pushrod and should be cheaper than the LS1

just a recap for others
HV V6 = Pushrod
HF V6 = DOHC

 

DOH!

High Feature....is in fact, what I meant.

 

Just to recap again, the HV V6s are 60* correct? Is the 90* (Series II) V6 pretty much history?

 

High Value V6 = 60 degree pushrod, as seen in 3.5L V6 2004 Chevy Malibu.
High Feature V6 = DOHC will first show up as 3.5L 260HP in the 2004 V6 Caddy CTS