Ya, so my actual post didn't show up...and if it does then oh well, but I basically said keep the 4.3 and put some cash into that, and don't go with a 305, you would be better off with a 327 or 350 if you just had to have 8 cylinders. Toss some forced induction on that 4.3 and you will be more than happy. Or some smaller mods, there's lots of potential in those Vortec EFI units, even if you think its just a 6 cylinder.