[buster]

has anyone else cut down their front coil springs? If so were you happy or unhappy with the results? Any tips if I decide to do this?

 

[toobroketoretire]

I have never liked the idea of cutting coil springs because they're made to fit into the spring pockets FLAT. When you cut a coil off the end ends up being at an angle. Always better to buy new coil springs. Are you just wanting a lower front end? If so how much lower?

Hey Buster, when are we going to do another lunch? The weather has been awfully nice lately and my '71 is itching to hit the highway..............

 

[buster]

ride height is secondary to gaining stability in turns. that said I would prefer not to raise the car if possible.

 

[bluedawg357]

ride height is secondary to gaining stability in turns. that said I would prefer not to raise the car if possible.

I beleaveyou cajn heat thesprings to achieve both. You need to heat only the middle of the springs. That way you maintain spring memory at the top and bottom. It seems that if you could come up with a heat sink to protect the rest of the spring youd besafer. Remember a little at a time until the desired ride hieght is achieved.

 

[silver82]

not to chime in and say you're wrong....but....>

I beleaveyou cajn heat thesprings to achieve both. You need to heat only the middle of the springs. That way you maintain spring memory at the top and bottom. It seems that if you could come up with a heat sink to protect the rest of the spring youd besafer. Remember a little at a time until the desired ride hieght is achieved.

The very best way is a set of shorter springs 2nd best way take spring out and match the end as close as possible when you cut it. I have cut many coil springs normally I only take a 1/2 to 1 wrap off....on the vette I would'nt cut too much off of it because THEN you'll take the risk of bottoming the front-end out on driveways, slopes ect. last thing I'd do EVER is heat them and let them sag.#1 you can't [I doubt] heat both springs at the same rate/heat and thats all blind quess work, and #2 you WILL cause a spring rate problem. Cut a 1/2 coil and try that if you can't afford shorter springs using a cut-off wheel w/die grinder you won't heat/sink the spring that way.IMHO

 

[silver82]

not to be smart.....but....>

The very best way is a set of shorter springs 2nd best way take spring out and match the end as close as possible when you cut it. I have cut many coil springs normally I only take a 1/2 to 1 wrap off....on the vette I would'nt cut too much off of it because THEN you'll take the risk of bottoming the front-end out on driveways, slopes ect. last thing I'd do EVER is heat them and let them sag.#1 you can't [I doubt] heat both springs at the same rate/heat and thats all blind quess work, and #2 you WILL cause a spring rate problem. Cut a 1/2 coil and try that if you can't afford shorter springs using a cut-off wheel w/die grinder you won't heat/sink the spring that way.IMHO

heating them up is a lazy, backyard when I was a teenager way of doing it. Surely not a Vette.

 

[7t9l82]

heating them up is a lazy, backyard when I was a teenager way of doing it. Surely not a Vette.

there is no problem heating a spring , they don't need temper and so what if they break. l.o.l. cutting is the better way unless you have a set custom built .:cheers:

 

[toobroketoretire]

From what I have seen all of the original springs used many coils of heavier wire whereas all of the replacement springs have fewer coils of a thinner wire.

When I replaced my '71's front springs (big block with A/C) I quickly found the AC Delco replacements were softer than the originals so I had to install 1" thick aluminum spacers (Summit Racing) to get the height up enough to prevent fender damage. No big deal but it was an added expense.

 

[Lethal Tendencies]

Is there any write ups with detailed instructions for cutting the springs?