4.3 merc

M

mrainey889

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Apr 8, 2008
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Re: 4.3 merc

Well...I suppose I am making a lot of assumptions here, but the only 4.3/4.3LX designation I have ever seen was on older Merc's like my own 1990 Rinker. If your motor is similar, the 4.3 liter non-LX has a two barrel carb and is rated at 175hp. The 4.3 liter LX got a four barrel carb/intake, and was rated at 210hp. I am not sure if there were any differences other than the carb/intake or not.

Just my thoughts...consider what you paid for them.

Mike
 
180shabah

180shabah

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Re: 4.3 merc

mrainey889 said:
If your motor is similar, the 4.3 liter non-LX has a two barrel carb and is rated at 175hp. The 4.3 liter LX got a four barrel carb/intake, and was rated at 210hp.
Click to expand...

Or if it is newer, the ratings were 155 for the 2bbl and 175 for the 4bbl. Same engines, same power, just rated at the prop instead of at the crank.
 
Bondo

Bondo

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70,525
Re: 4.3 merc

Ayuh,....

Mine's a early-mid-90s, 4.3LX,... The sticker on the airbox cover says 205hp....
 
180shabah

180shabah

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Re: 4.3 merc

I think the change was in '95, of course someone will correct if I'm wrong, but I have a '96 175hp 4.3LX

I just remember dealers tyring to explain that 175 really was the same as 205, last year....
 
I

imported_TheMan

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Oct 19, 2006
Messages
224
Re: 4.3 merc

Did they adjust the HP ratings when they started using the balance shaft (92 I think?) or still report it the same? And didn't the Vortec heads add some type of increased HP around the 96 year frame?
 
180shabah

180shabah

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Re: 4.3 merc

Vortec heads hit the scene in '96. For '96 and '97 They were referred to as Gen+(on Mercs anyway) and offered 25-30hp improvement over the regular heads. Currently, only a 2bbl carb is offered and on a 4.3 it is rated at 190hp, which is more than the 4bbl made on the old head design. This is why people really like to top the vortecs with a good intake and 4bbl. They weigh 100lbs less than a 305 and make as much as or more power than all of them except the current 5.0MPI(Although there are a couple out there that are making 250-260hp, but a V8 swap would have been cheaper). Plus, they'll never sound as good as an 8.
 
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