My transmission (4l60E) is pretty new and, for now, I'd like to avoid having to do much to it. My cam and lifters are going out in this 4.3 V6...and the power is horrible. I want to replace it with a V8 that will mount to my current transmission, simple/best options. I am fine with a small block V8, if that is recommended.
4l60e are not known for their strength. especially in 93. The 1996 and later 350 has vortec heads and about 30-40hp compared to the 95 and its 193 heads, but a lot of the time the vortec's are cracked. Summit has new castings assembled for about 320 each 12558060. The ports on the vortec heads are raised, both intake and exhaust, more flow without loosing velocity. Chevy has a tbi manifold for the 96 + engine to use the TBI (12496821). There are other options if you don't need EGR for a smog check. If you do change heads, the computer chip will have to be redone so visit
http://www.gearhead-efi.com/ to learn about that.
