[Turboalex]

OK, Ive checked the search link and found nothing. I Googled it still, not what I'm looking for.

I found a 96 Caprice with a 4.3 V8. My question is:
What are the stats for the 4.3 liter V8? Any known problems? Is it worth buying one of these cars with this motor? Are the transmissions different from the LT1's? What gear do these cars have w/ the 4.3? Any thing else you can think of about this motor? Thanks for your expertise.

 

[yoko]

hmmm 4.3 v8 ?

not really , 4.3 is a 6 cylinder

 

[Turboalex]

No, actually there is a 4.3 V8. Check it. It's the L99 option code.

 

[yoko]

wow i apologize !

i did not know that cwm4

 

[Turboalex]

No problemo mon.

 

[Dave M]

Same externally as an LT1. Good motors, just smaller displacement and less power than the 5.7. Usually will have a 3.23 gear(GU5 option code), and a little lighter duty 4L60E.

 

[cletus284]

L99 4.3L V8 has 200 hp @ 5200 RPM, 245 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM.

1994 L99's were equipped with either a 2.73:1 or 3.23:1 rear axle.
'95 and '96 got either the 2.93:1 or 3.23:1 axle.

The only real transmission difference is that the L99 4th gear servo is not as stout. This is easily changed.

If you're not looking for performance, the L99 is a good and economical engine. If you want power, LT1 is going to make you happier.

 

[Turboalex]

Are the rearends all posi or an option?
And how do you tell what gear it has?

 

[cletus284]

Are the rearends all posi or an option?
And how do you tell what gear it has?

Posi was optional on all B-bodies, with the exception of B4U-package Caprices and the Impala SS.

All axle codes are listed on the SPID tag on the backside of the trunk lid; they start with G. G80 = limited slip axle.

 

[MrBuick (Magnum)]

Another thing to consider, is that a majority of the L99 cars came with the tooth pick 7.5" 10 bolt. Lucky an 8.5" 10 bolt from an L99, 9C1, or any LT1 powered B-body will bolt right in, with the LT1 driveshaft. If the L99 car is a nice car, clean, and decent price, I would buy it. You can always pull the L99, and drop a LT1 in. It's as if you were pulling the motor, painting it, and dropping it back in. Everything will bolt right up.

I have been tempted to look for an L99 Caprice as a driver. I have never even driven one. Al of the ones I have are LT1 cars.

 

[MrBuick (Magnum)]

Posi was optional on all B-bodies, with the exception of B4U-package Caprices and the Impala SS.

What he forgot to add, was those had them Standard. As did the Roadmaster's with the Towing package.

There are a few Cars around, that started life as an L99 car, that are pretty potent LT1 cars these days.

 

[retirednak]

I just sold my '94 with the L99. It was a good car,got 26 mpg regularly on the hwy and I averaged 22 combined. I don't live in a large city so I don't know what stop and go mileage would be. The car had pretty decent get up and go and I never had any kind of engine troubles. I had the usual window track troubles,fuel pump,but that was about it. The car had around 280K+ miles on it when I sold it. The one thing that drove me nuts was it didn't have a posi. I heard most '96's came with the posi. I'm looking for another L99 with low mileage myself for a winter car.

 

[Turboalex]

So, the L99 cars are just as good as the LT1 cars just a little less H.P., right? Nothing to be concerned about?

 

[cletus284]

Less HP and less torque. Otherwise, they have the same attributes.

 

[ThatGuitarGuy6]

Yea the L99 is a great engine, you just give up some Horses for some MPG's. Mine's got 154k on it and the nothing's gone wrong with the motor or transmission