As far as V8s go, the most reliable one in my opinion is the throttle body (TBI) 350 Chevy (87-95). 96 they came out with the Vortec...more power, more electronic crap, more problems, especially intake gaskets. The old TBI has less power, but still a low-end torquer...it'll snap quite hard if you punch the gas from idle. It's sick on the top end, but not what it was built for. It is just a good ol' fashioned iron 350 with a glorified or computerized carb on it. I drove one for 2 years (age 16-18!), rodded this sh** out of it, 4 wheeled it, topped it out....hummed perfectly when my dad sold it. The 95 is the best year...old motor, new interior. Edelbrock makes a bolt on Mulit Port EFI kit for it to replace the TBI, looks neat, aluminum intake, exposed fuel rails, get more power, more mileage...worthwhile upgrade. Add a chrome air filter assembly, chrome valve covers and some headers, and you've got a slick motor. The 4.3s are solid, reliable and proven motors, but they are a bit unrefined and underpowered. And you can't get the flowmaster V8 rumble out of em!!!
