[47chevrolet]

Will the stock springs from the 4 cyl hold a v8 400ci

[runn141]

barely and they will bottom out hard. 4.3 springs will lower the front 1inch (so ive heard).

[BillyShope]

A quick and easy check (for you): Have a buddy crawl up on top of the 4 cylinder and check out the deflection. Since it will be, at the most, half an inch, you probably will wonder why you ever worried about it.

This matter of changing springs is probably the biggest factor in causing second thoughts after an engine swap. Rodders go to higher rate suspension springs when they swap a V8 for an inline and then are unhappy with the handling. The car pushes badly in a corner. "Well," their buddies tell them, "it's because of that big heavy engine up there." No, it's not! It's because of the increased front roll stiffness from the higher rate springs. If you feel you MUST install higher rate springs, be certain to add a beefier rear anti-sway bar or you're going to be unhappy with the handling.

[47chevrolet]

what if i put air shocks up there too then it would be okay u think

[Triaged]

S10's came with stiffer springs then V8 G-bodies that used the same suspension.
http://jeffd.50megs.com/Moog_Spring_Page.htm

[S10xGN]

My '96 has stock front 4 cyl springs. The Buick V6 with the intercooler, turbo, and plumbing prolly weighs as much as an average smallblock V8. I have no suspension issues at all...

Russ