4.3 Vortec V6 Engine for Sale | OEM Chevy LV3 EcoTec3 (4.3L)
$7,887.00
Product Overview
- Displacement: 4.3L (262 cu in)
- Engine Family: GM EcoTec3
- Configuration: V6 90-degree OHV, 12 valves
- Horsepower: 285 hp at 5,300 rpm
- Condition: OEM used, compression tested and inspected
- Availability: Multiple year ranges 2014 to 2018 in stock
- Shipping: Free crated freight to all 50 states, 5 to 10 business days
- All 6 cylinders pressure-tested with results shared before payment
- Year and ECU calibration code documented
- Direct injection high-pressure fuel pump inspected
- VVT and AFM operation documented where inspectable
- Timing chain condition inspected
- Fitment verified before every order ships
- Zero core charge required, your existing engine stays with you
- Backed by a 15 day replacement warranty against internal defects
Description
Engine Background
The 4.3 Vortec LV3 is the third-generation 4.3-liter V6 truck engine produced by GM from 2014 through 2018. It is part of the GM EcoTec3 engine family and shares the cast aluminum block architecture, direct injection, Variable Valve Timing, and Active Fuel Management of the 5.3L L83 and 6.2L L86 V8 engines. With 285 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 305 lb-ft of torque at 3,900 rpm, the LV3 delivers V8-style work capability with V6 fuel economy in the Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Colorado, and Canyon platforms.
The 90-degree V6 configuration shares the same 99.6 mm bore and 92.0 mm stroke as the 5.3L EcoTec3, with two cylinders removed. This common architecture means the LV3 benefits from every R&D dollar GM spent on the small block V8 program: high-flow heads, low-friction internals, AFM cylinder deactivation, and VVT. The result is the most refined and fuel-efficient 4.3 Vortec ever produced, replacing the older Vortec 4300 (LU3) generation with substantially better performance and economy.
Earlier 4.3 Vortec Generations Are Different Engines
If you are searching for a 4.3 Vortec for an older Astro, Blazer, S-10, or Silverado from the 1990s or early 2000s, that is the LU3, LF6, or LG3 generation, not the LV3. Tell us your year and we confirm exactly which 4.3 Vortec generation fits your truck.
When Replacement Becomes Necessary
- Knock or rattle under load, rod or main bearing wear at high mileage
- Loss of compression on one or more cylinders, head gasket or ring wear
- Active Fuel Management lifter collapse, the common AFM-era issue across the EcoTec3 V8/V6 family
- Timing chain stretch on units past 120,000 miles, code P0008 or P0017
- High-pressure fuel pump failure, hard start and limp mode
- Excessive oil consumption, ring or PCV system issue
- Coolant in oil from head gasket failure on overheated units
Known Issues We Document Before Shipping
- AFM lifter condition, the highest-impact failure mode on this engine family
- Timing chain stretch, inspected and reported
- High-pressure fuel pump function, critical for direct injection
- VVT solenoid and cam phaser operation
- PCV system condition (DI engines tend to develop intake valve carbon buildup, a separate issue)
- Oil consumption history disclosed where documented from donor
What Ships and What Does Not
| INCLUDED | Long block: block, crankshaft, rods, pistons, camshaft, heads, valve train, oil pan, valve covers, timing cover, harmonic balancer. Direct injection high-pressure fuel pump where present on donor unit. |
|---|---|
| NOT INCLUDED | Intake manifold (sometimes included, call to confirm), exhaust manifolds, throttle body, ECU and harness, alternator, starter, A/C compressor, power steering pump, flexplate, motor mounts. |
| Fluids | Drained before shipping. Refill with Dexos1 Gen 2 spec 5W-30 motor oil. |
| Core Note | No core charge. You are not required to return your old engine. |
Direct-Fit Vehicle Applications
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 2014 to 2018 (base V6 trim) |
|---|---|
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 2014 to 2018 (base V6 trim) |
| Chevrolet Colorado | 2015 to 2018 (4.3 V6 trim) |
| GMC Canyon | 2015 to 2018 (4.3 V6 trim) |
| Chevrolet Express Van | 2018 to 2020 (4.3 V6 base trim) |
| GMC Savana Van | 2018 to 2020 (4.3 V6 base trim) |
Not sure if this fits? Call us. We verify generation and AFM status before every order ships.
Used OEM Versus Specialist Rebuild
For a Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Colorado, or Canyon with a failed 4.3 LV3, a documented used unit with AFM lifter condition inspected and timing chain status disclosed is the cost-effective replacement path. For a high-mileage truck or one with documented AFM lifter failure, a specialist rebuild with AFM delete, fresh timing chain, and updated valve springs is the better long-term investment. Rebuilt 4.3 LV3 engines typically run $5,000 to $7,500 from established LS specialist shops.
Inspection Workflow
- Compression test logged across all 6 cylinders with uniformity reported
- Year and ECU calibration code recorded for shop flash compatibility
- AFM lifter condition assessed, the signature EcoTec3 failure addressed
- Timing chain condition inspected for stretch (P0008 and P0017 indicators)
- High-pressure fuel pump function verified, critical for direct injection
- VVT solenoid and cam phaser operation tested where running unit available
- External oil leak survey at valve covers, front and rear seals, oil pan
- Coolant condition checked for oil contamination
Pre-Purchase Buyer Notes
- This is the LV3 (2014 to 2018 EcoTec3 generation): for older Astro, Blazer, S-10, or pre-2014 Silverado applications, you need the earlier LU3, LF6, or LG3 generation, not the LV3. Confirm your vehicle year on the call.
- Plan AFM delete at installation if budget allows: replacing AFM lifters with non-AFM and tuning the ECU to disable AFM eliminates the primary EcoTec3 failure mode. Adds $400 to $700 to the install but pays back in reliability.
- Plan walnut blasting for intake valves: direct injection engines develop carbon buildup on intake valves over time. The 4.3 LV3 is no exception. Plan walnut blast service at installation or within the first service interval.
- Replace the high-pressure fuel pump if any history of hard start: HPFP failure causes hard start, limp mode, and rough idle. Plan replacement at installation on high-mileage donor units.
- Use dexos1 5W-30: GM-specification synthetic oil. Wrong viscosity accelerates AFM lifter wear and timing chain stretch, the two primary EcoTec3 failure modes.
Why Buy From Part Nests
- Year and ECU calibration code documented before payment
- AFM lifter condition inspected, the EcoTec3 signature failure addressed
- Timing chain condition assessed for stretch
- Direct injection high-pressure fuel pump verified
- VVT and AFM operation documented where inspectable
- All 6 cylinders compression-tested with uniformity reported
- No core return required
- Free crated freight delivery to every state
- 15 day replacement warranty against internal defects
- Call us to speak with someone who knows 4.3 Vortec generations (LU3 versus LV3), AFM lifter failure patterns, and EcoTec3 service procedures
Additional information
| engine-family | GM EcoTec3 |
|---|---|
| configuration | 12 valves, V6 90-degree OHV |
| displacement | 4.3L (262 cu in) |
| bore-x-stroke | 99.6 mm x 92.0 mm |
| compression-ratio | 11.0:1 |
| aspiration | Naturally Aspirated |
| fuel-system | Direct injection |
| fuel-type | Regular Unleaded Gasoline |
| variable-valve-timing | Yes |
| active-fuel-management | Yes (cylinder deactivation under light load) |
| block-material | Cast aluminum |
| head-material | Aluminum |
| cooling-system | Liquid cooled |
| electrical-system | 12 volt |
| production-years-lv3 | 2014 to 2018 |
| horsepower | 285 hp at 5, 300 rpm |
| torque | 305 lb-ft at 3, 900 rpm |
| compatible-transmissions | 6L50, 8L90, GM 6L80 |
| condition | compression tested and inspected, Used OEM |
No. The LV3 (2014 to 2018 EcoTec3 generation) shares only displacement with the older Vortec 4300 generations (LU3, LF6, LG3) used in Astro, Blazer, S-10, and pre-2014 Silverado applications. Architecture is fundamentally different: the LV3 has direct injection, VVT, AFM, and the LS-family architecture. Confirm your vehicle year and generation on the call.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2014 to 2018, base engine option), GMC Sierra 1500 (2014 to 2018, base engine option), Chevrolet Colorado (2015 to 2018), and GMC Canyon (2015 to 2018). All four trucks used the LV3 as the standard or base V6 option during that production window.
AFM (Active Fuel Management) is GM's cylinder deactivation that runs the engine on partial cylinders under light load to save fuel. AFM lifters across the EcoTec3 family (including the 4.3 LV3, 5.3 L83, and 6.2 L86) are prone to collapse on the deactivating cylinders. This can damage cam lobes and bend pushrods. Many builders disable AFM at installation with a delete kit and tune.
Yes. The LV3 uses direct injection (fuel injected directly into the combustion chamber rather than into the intake port). This delivers higher compression ratios and better fuel economy, but causes carbon buildup on intake valves over time. Walnut blasting at the appropriate mileage interval is the standard service.
285 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 305 lb-ft of torque at 3,900 rpm in factory tune. This is V8-style output from a V6 platform, delivered through the same LS-family architecture used in the 5.3L L83 and 6.2L L86 V8s. Aftermarket tuning and supporting modifications can push the engine higher.
On any EcoTec3 engine past approximately 120,000 miles, timing chain stretch becomes a service concern. Symptoms include P0008 or P0017 cam correlation codes. We inspect timing chain condition on every order, and recommend a fresh chain set at installation on high-mileage units.
Mechanically yes, with significant supporting work. The LV3 uses LS-family bell housing, but the ECU, harness, fuel system, and intake setup all differ from the older Vortec 4300. A 2014-onward LV3 swap into a pre-2014 truck is doable but requires planning. The cleaner path is matching generation to vehicle.
No. There is no core return required.
15 Day Replacement Warranty
Every used GM 4.3 Vortec LV3 engine purchased through Part Nests carries a 15 day replacement warranty starting on the delivery date.
What Is Covered
- Internal defects already present when the engine arrives
- Performance materially different from how the engine was described
- Incorrect part shipped due to an error on our end
What Is Not Covered
- Damage caused during installation
- Damage from incompatible components
- External components unless specifically itemized
- Labor expenses of any kind
To start a warranty claim, reach us within 15 days of delivery.
- Year and Calibration Recorded: ECU flash compatibility flagged on every order
- AFM Lifter Condition Inspected: EcoTec3 signature failure addressed up front
- Timing Chain Status Assessed: Stretch indicators checked before payment
- HPFP Verified: Direct injection high-pressure pump function checked
- All 6 Cylinders Tested: Compression results shared before payment
- 15 Day Replacement Cover: Internal defects protected from delivery onward
6 reviews for 4.3 Vortec V6 Engine for Sale | OEM Chevy LV3 EcoTec3 (4.3L)
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Eric K. –
Got a 4.3 LV3 for a 2016 Silverado 1500 V6 replacement. Year and ECU calibration documented, AFM lifter condition inspected and reported as acceptable, timing chain checked for stretch. HPFP verified clean. Plan walnut blasting at install per their recommendation. Truck is back to working order.
Roy J. –
Replaced a 4.3 LV3 in a 2015 Colorado. Honest about it being a used unit with disclosed mileage history. AFM lifter condition was the main concern, and they reported borderline but acceptable. Plan an AFM delete at installation per their note. Solid replacement at a reasonable price.
Eric K. –
Got a 4.3 LV3 for a 2016 Silverado 1500 V6 replacement. Year and ECU calibration documented, AFM lifter condition inspected and reported as acceptable, timing chain checked for stretch. HPFP verified clean. Plan walnut blasting at install per their recommendation. Truck is back to working order.
Roy J. –
Replaced a 4.3 LV3 in a 2015 Colorado. Honest about it being a used unit with disclosed mileage history. AFM lifter condition was the main concern, and they reported borderline but acceptable. Plan an AFM delete at installation per their note. Solid replacement at a reasonable price.
Eric K. –
Got a 4.3 LV3 for a 2016 Silverado 1500 V6 replacement. Year and ECU calibration documented, AFM lifter condition inspected and reported as acceptable, timing chain checked for stretch. HPFP verified clean. Plan walnut blasting at install per their recommendation. Truck is back to working order.
Roy J. –
Replaced a 4.3 LV3 in a 2015 Colorado. Honest about it being a used unit with disclosed mileage history. AFM lifter condition was the main concern, and they reported borderline but acceptable. Plan an AFM delete at installation per their note. Solid replacement at a reasonable price.