Chevy small block or 4.3

[FJB505sti]

Found a bellhousing adapter for the ba 10/5 transmission. Has anyone ever done this conversion. Was thinking about Chevy 4.3 v6 or even small block Chevy in my 1987 505 sti.

Edited August 24, 2025 by FJB505sti
Forgot to put my vehicle in the post.

[Jayden M]

I suspect the only reason that bell housing adapter even exists is because of the jeeps that came with the ba10/5. I'd also be worried about the torque of a small block being too much for the ba10 to handle. Doubt anyone has ever done that conversion before, although there has been some turbo setups done to the v6 engine that comes in the car.

[FJB505sti]

Was thinking GM 4.3 turbo setup. 

[SRDT]

The BA10 wasn't particulary suited for a big Jeep going off road, the 224 lb⋅ft from the 4.0 L6 didn't help either.

Instead of a V6 you could try the AMC 4.0 L6 or even the AMC V8, the AMC bellhousing is very cheap unlike the GM one.

[Emile Clackson]

Seen it done a few times. The 4.3 is the smarter swap fits easier, doesn’t beat the crap out of the BA10, and you keep some weight balance. Small block will work but that transmission is glass behind a V8. You’ll snap it if you drive hard. Adapter plates are out there, usually from the Jeep guys. Motor mounts you’ll have to fab. Clutch fork clearance can be tight. It’s not bolt-in, but doable if you can weld and measure. Expect wiring and exhaust to be a headache. Would I do it? Only if my 505 was a beater and I had a spare trans.