I put a 383 cu in SBC into my Z car in 1995. It soon became apparent to me that the car needed less weight more than it needed more horsepower. I was aware of the Chevy 4.3L V6 since the debut of the GMC Syclones and Typhoons. https://www.caranddriver.com/archives/gmc-syclone-vs-ferrari-348ts-archived-comparison-test
The NASCAR Truck Series was also using V6's at the time. Factory involvement means factory subsidized research and development and high tech exotica as close as your dealer's parts counter, such as this 74 lbs engine block with massive 4-bolt main caps and the capacity to go as large as 320 cu. in.