Difference between W and X Vin 4.3 Liter

[An American Revolution]

I was reading an article, till now, I thought you could only get the 180 hp
version of the 4.3 Liter in the 4x4 version S-10's and Sanoma, but I was
wrong, can I take the ecm under the hood from a 4x4 and hook it into a 4.3
Liter in a 2wd pickup? Would it work, if I tired it, is there a chance I
could screw my engine up? The 4.3 also had 190 hp output in 4x4's.

[An American Revolution]

i looked in my owners manual under x vin and this is what is says. X Vin (T
Series) 180 hp and (S Series) 175 hp. How do I find out what series I have?

[Mike Levy]

S refers to 2wd, T refers to 4wd in the S-10/Sonoma style trucks. The
model line is just S-series.

Regarding the original question, I'm not sure if that would work for
you, swapping a 4x4 ECM into a 4x2 truck. The big determining factor
is the year of the truck(s), but you may still have SES light issues
(or Service 4wd light issues) if the componets are not there or the
ECM isn't re-flashed.

You may be right, the difference may be in the ECM programming. I
also recall the possibility that the Y-pipe was a different design on
the 4x4 models, due to increased ground clearance and the need to get
around the front driveshaft. That exhaust change may account for some
of the difference. However, if GM specified 2 different VIN letters,
there's likely more than just ECM programming, there is likely a
hardware difference.

We're overlooking another issue, maybe. In the 92-95 trucks, X and W
referred to 2 different 4.3L engines. One was a TBI with 160 HP (X)
and one was a CPI with 190 HP (W). TBI is Throttle Body Injection, it
looks like a carb on top of the engine with 2 injectors pointing down.
CPI was a batch-fire port-injection system, the top of the engine
looked like a spider (or insect since it was only 6-legged).

[Steve W.]

"An American Revolution" <Anonym...@oftherinternet.com> wrote in
message news:cQ%ye.5621$aY6....@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net...

Those are two different engines. Different wiring harness and other
items as well.
The X is a TBI engine it has what looks like a carb on it. It uses a
different cam as well
The W is a CPI engine (aka Vortec) it has a throttle body that only
meters air, this is fed through a plenum and six separate injectors.
Just swapping the computer wouldn't make a difference.

Basically - S-10 = Chevy 2wd small P/U or Blazer, T-10 = Chevy 4wd
small P/U or Blazer
S-15 = GMC 2wd small P/U or Jimmy, T-15 = GMC 4wd
small P/U or Jimmy
The Bravada is a T-series with a full time transfer case.
The numbers were used till the body style change. Then they switched to
names.

Easy to tell the difference. If you have an air cleaner with a long
snorkel that goes to the top center of the engine you have a VIN X TBI
engine.
If the air intake goes to a unit at the front of the engine and the
intake has a cover that says VORTEC you have a VIN W CPI engine.
Or just look at the 8th digit in the VIN number.

--
Steve W.

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[An American Revolution]

I wanted to take a 97 S-10 2wd with 175 hp X Vin 4.3L CPI FI, and put the
ecm from a 97 S10 4wd w/ 180 hp W Vin 4.3 Liter CPI FI into the 2wd. Are the
engines identical? Or is there different internal hardware? I just am trying
to gain that extra hp and torque.

[Steve W.]

"An American Revolution" <Anonym...@oftherinternet.com> wrote in

message news:GE3ze.5751$aY6....@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net...

They are different engines.
There is no such thing as a VIN X with CPI on it. TBI only on the VIN X.
Not possible to just swap the computers and get the power.
Sorry.

[Jordan Smith]

and Z code stands for? thats whats in my 95 fullsize with a 4.3 its a
vortec but has TBI i know it to be 262ci

[An American Revolution]

Bullshit. I have a 97 S-10 with a 4.3 Liter, does not have throttle body.
The 8th digit is X, thats the engine code, and it is X! Maybe I cant just
swap computers, but X Vin is what i have. 95 and newer on the S-10's had
different setups on the 2wd, they had 175hp and the 4wd had 180, the 4x4 app
was w vin and the 2wd x vin. My owners manual say the same thing.

"Jordan Smith" <getusm...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:vW4ze.13360$Si3....@fe06.lga...

[Steve W.]

http://www.s-series.org/index.html For some other help.

The X engine in a 97 should be a Vortec. The difference in them is still
internal though.

--
Steve

"An American Revolution" <Anonym...@oftherinternet.com> wrote in

message news:w%bze.5914$aY6....@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net...

[Charles Bendig]

I think all New body style S-trucks use the CPI motor. So that would be
94 up for S/T Pick-ups 95 Up for S/T Blazers.

TBI 4.3's have a VIN code of Z in Astros, S/T S-trucks, Caprice's, &
full size trucks.

ECM programing will not determine a different VIN code from GM, it does
mean that something on or in the engine is different. That something
effects the HP rating of the engine.
Charles

[An American Revolution]

no I agree that there is internal difference. But there is an x vin, which I
have, and it is CPI. a friend of mine has a 97 S-10 also 4x4, but not the
Zr2 package. He has W vin. 5 more hp

"Steve W." <Dugd...@what.com> wrote in message
news:42cd52c6$1...@spool9-west.superfeed.net...

[Mike Levy]

The "original" CPI was used through 95, no distinction between pickups
and utilities, they all used the same "W" motor if ordered that way.
It changed for all models in 96...

[Adam Frazier]

We have a 99 Jimmy that has the 4.3 (180hp), it is classified as High Output
4.3 because of the towing package and 4x4 capabilities. So yes, it is two
different engines.

"An American Revolution" <Anonym...@oftherinternet.com> wrote in message

news:w%bze.5914$aY6....@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net...

[Mike Levy]

On Thu, 7 Jul 2005 20:26:47 -0500, "Adam Frazier"
<abom...@copper.net> wrote:

>We have a 99 Jimmy that has the 4.3 (180hp), it is classified as High Output
>4.3 because of the towing package and 4x4 capabilities. So yes, it is two
>different engines.
>

It's not classified as the HO because of the tow package. Your Jimmy
likely has the W engine with 190 HP, I think most of the Blazer/Jimmy
side of the line did, pretty sure all the 4x4 Blazer/Jimmy style
trucks had the 190 HP version...

[Adam Frazier]

Ok, thats why when I called the dealer to ask about a ECM they asked if I
had the high output 4.3 or the regular one.

"Mike Levy" <blue...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:rmurc1tru2tjkomsf...@4ax.com...

[An American Revolution]

Yea, I just talked to a machine shop down the road from me. He told me there
is no difference between x vin and w vin internally on the engine. So I
think it is ecm programming. Graff Chevrolet in Sandusky comfirmed it, but
said for me to swap ecms would be risky since a 4x4 has more sensors for the
4x4 application, and my 2wd doesnt, and could cause a problem.

"Adam Frazier" <abom...@copper.net> wrote in message
news:42ce6...@newsfeed.slurp.net...

[Steve W.]

IN-0.2880 EX-0.2940 = HO cam lift

IN-0.2340 EX-0.2570 = Non HO cam lift

"An American Revolution" <Anonym...@oftherinternet.com> wrote in

message news:uZzze.18106$pa3....@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...

[An American Revolution]

what is the difference between the cams?

"Steve W." <Dugd...@what.com> wrote in message

news:42ced910$1...@spool9-west.superfeed.net...

[Jordan Smith]

Jordan worte:
But what about my z code engine? Granted its a fullsize not an s10 but
internally no difference

[Charles Bendig]

Jordan Smith wrote:
> Jordan worte:
> But what about my z code engine? Granted its a fullsize not an s10
> but internally no difference
>

a Z vin code 4.3 should be 190HP.
Charles

[Charles Bendig]

An American Revolution wrote:
> what is the difference between the cams?
>
> "Steve W." <Dugd...@what.com> wrote in message
> news:42ced910$1...@spool9-west.superfeed.net...
>
>>IN-0.2880 EX-0.2940 = HO cam lift
>>
>>IN-0.2340 EX-0.2570 = Non HO cam lift

Don't even waste the time explaining lift, duration, and lobe
seperation o "An American Revolution" I doubt his brain could process
the data.
Charles

[Steve W.]

Same as the HO unless it has been altered.

--
Steve W.

"Jordan Smith" <getusm...@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:dUJze.17799$Si3...@fe06.lga...

> Jordan worte:
> But what about my z code engine? Granted its a fullsize not an s10 but
> internally no difference
>
>
>
>
> Steve W. wrote:
> > IN-0.2880 EX-0.2940 = HO cam lift
> >
> > IN-0.2340 EX-0.2570 = Non HO cam lift
> >
> >

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[Steve W.]

Look at the numbers. The upper set are for the HO cam, notice the total
lift is higher, it also is a bit longer duration than the non HO. That
difference and the computer programming to match it is the difference in
the engines. If you want the extra HP you have to do more than swap
computers or PROMS. For 5 HP it isn't worth the effort. A good tune up
will give you a bigger improvement. Now IF you were getting 20-30 HP it
becomes a marginally better upgrade BUT only if the engine is coming
apart for work anyway.

"An American Revolution" <Anonym...@oftherinternet.com> wrote in

message news:91Gze.6830$aY6....@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net...

[An American Revolution]

Seems as if we have a smartass in here. Very well, everyone is entitled to
their opinion. The only reason I ask all these questions is because I'm not
that well educated in this area, I know enough to get by, but I like to ask
questions. I just had people at the dealership telling me one thing, and
then I heard totally opposite from you gentlemen. Though I should have
listened to you in the first place because my dealer has been wrong in the
past, but I must say I have learned quite a bit from everyone in here, and I
thank you. I took auto service classes in college and high school, but
nothing extensive. My main love is computer science and programming. Thanks
again for all the info. By the way, from what I noticed, this Chevy forum
has dodge, and ford beat by a long shot, way more users on this.

"An American Revolution" <Anonym...@oftherinternet.com> wrote in message

news:IE%ye.5611$aY6...@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net...

[mcmulle...@gmail.com]

On Sunday, July 10, 2005 9:16:46 AM UTC-4, An American Revolution wrote:
> Seems as if we have a smartass in here. Very well, everyone is entitled to
> their opinion. The only reason I ask all these questions is because I'm not
> that well educated in this area, I know enough to get by, but I like to ask
> questions. I just had people at the dealership telling me one thing, and
> then I heard totally opposite from you gentlemen. Though I should have
> listened to you in the first place because my dealer has been wrong in the
> past, but I must say I have learned quite a bit from everyone in here, and I
> thank you. I took auto service classes in college and high school, but
> nothing extensive. My main love is computer science and programming. Thanks
> again for all the info. By the way, from what I noticed, this Chevy forum
> has dodge, and ford beat by a long shot, way more users on this.
>
>

> wow man

[etnie...@gmail.com]

Can't swap ECU from one truck to another without getting it reflashed with the VIN that matches your BCM. It's the passlock security BS

[scotthu...@yahoo.com]

I'd sure hate t be married to someone who wants to argue about lobes and duration lol. Some people would argue the shade of black.

[burger....@gmail.com]

Both the x and w motors are vortec motors in 97. I have both of them

[gunzmithd...@gmail.com]

On Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 9:34:32 PM UTC-4, An American Revolution wrote:
> I was reading an article, till now, I thought you could only get the 180 hp
> version of the 4.3 Liter in the 4x4 version S-10's and Sanoma, but I was
> wrong, can I take the ecm under the hood from a 4x4 and hook it into a 4.3
> Liter in a 2wd pickup? Would it work, if I tired it, is there a chance I
> could screw my engine up? The 4.3 also had 190 hp output in 4x4's.

I have a w vortex in my 98 blazer s10....says blazer on the truck and says s10 on the title and vins match

[gunzmithd...@gmail.com]

On Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 9:34:32 PM UTC-4, An American Revolution wrote:
> I was reading an article, till now, I thought you could only get the 180 hp
> version of the 4.3 Liter in the 4x4 version S-10's and Sanoma, but I was
> wrong, can I take the ecm under the hood from a 4x4 and hook it into a 4.3
> Liter in a 2wd pickup? Would it work, if I tired it, is there a chance I

> could screw my engine up? The 4.3 also had 190 hp output in 4x4's. plug it in and see if it works

[widdl...@gmail.com]

I ran into this yesterday. And have laughed like hell reading these comments. 4.3L VIN X CPI is real.

[zak.g.r...@gmail.com]

Actually that's not entirely true, I have a 98 W vin and it's 4x2

[charles...@gmail.com]

Well Steve W.
I have a vin x with a long air tube going to the middle of the motor, but the cover says votec now I really don't know what I have.I just bought this 1997 s10 less than 2 months ago. 160000 miles it will fly. The owner's manual doesn't give you very much information on the motors, like bore, stroke, so on. I do have to ease down the gas to keep from barking the tires when I take off from a stop.
Charles A.

[josephar...@gmail.com]

If you go on any website and order a timing set, one engine has a balance shaft and one does not. Im not sure which is which, but maybe that is the difference. I have a 97 4x2 with the vortec and a 5speed manual and my vin is xx. It has the crappy spider injectors.

[abz...@gmail.com]

Yeah

[djma...@gmail.com]

Hey I have a 2002 Chevy and I just pick up
a long block for it ...
But now before I start I would like to know if it
Matters What the vin is W or X .
Is there two different motors or no !!!