strange idea

[toe_cutter]

Ok, so I am looking at doing a frame up build on a 91 ext cab short bed for my oldest child. It will be a "father/daughter" project and hopefully a learning experience for her also. So I was looking to get some prices on crate engines and noticed a 260+hp 300ft.lb. marine 4.3 v6. It was about the same price range as a 350, but im thinking would be lighter and more efficient. Also, I'm no marine mechanic but from what I understand marine engines have heavier duty internals to stand up to long periods at higher rpm's, and a stronger low rpm power band. I also used to own a skiboat with a 3.0 180hp 4cyl gm marine engine, that thing would fly, and was decent by skiboat standards on fuel consumption. I'm in Louisiana and emmissions testing is not an issue, they dont even check for cats, so anybody have any thoughts on replacing the old 305 tbi with maybe a 4.3 marine with a quadrajet and 2004r? Maybe a turbo and run it off of propane later on?

[Lextech]

I'm not sure I would go the carb route. The 305 TBI setup is pretty much rock solid reliable. The TBI should run better and get better mileage than a non computer controlled carbsetup.

Jeff

[907 Chevy]

A sequentially fuel injected propane vapor setup with forced induction would make a good deal of power. it would be even better if you could fit a liquid propane injection system,but trying to find one of those may be kind of difficult.
Have you considered using one of the newer direct injected engines? 300 hp from a stock V6 is a pretty good starting point.