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Between the AC delete, the headers, the aluminum heads, intake and radiator and now the Bilstein shocks, my '77 C3 is sitting a couple inches too high in front. What's the favorite option - lowering springs, cutting off a coil or the clamps? Not a big fan of the Derek Bieri torch method.
I’ve done both the coil cutting method and full coilovers. The coilovers allow you to get the ride height dialed in exactly where you want it rather than just between coils, but they also cost several hundred dollars versus 5 minutes with an angle grinder.
Cut exactly one coil off front springs. Will still fit in the pockets perfectly. Will drop approximately 2 inches. If that's to much you can purchase nylon coil spring spacers of different thicknesses cheaply. They fit under the coil spring. Of course if it was cut correctly. thus dial in the precise ride height you want for a fraction of the cost of coilovers.
I also have a 77. Same type of mods. One full coil sits really nice.
I still have all my fingers, so no, I did it outside of the car.
Funny enough these springs in the maroon car are the original ones from the white one. I’ve used the method in the video below multiple times with good success to take them out.
I lowered all these with spring cut in front, coil cut has been a bit different with each car from 1/2 coil to full coil... im always looking for about 27.25" wheel well height +/- .25"
I have always used the Eaton Spring rule of thumb... coil length cut gives twice ride height drop meaning if I want a 1" drop I take 1/2" off full coil lenght, this Eaton Spring video can be found online... I do agree a full coil cut will be about 2" ride height drop.
I have always indexed the spring end at the top, I drop a screw down the upper control arm hole and turn the spring till it hits the screw and back it off just a touch... however I am aware of where the lower spring end will sit in the lower groove before I cut making sure the spring end isn't right on the high side of the notch.
I personally never had a problem disconnecting the upper ball joint and removing the spring, I have always been able to get the lower control arm low enough to rotate the spring out the rear side without a spring compressor... maybe I've just been lucky, disconnect sway bar, remove bump stops... you may run out of brake line travel.
Absolutely remove spring from car. 5 minutes to cut spring. Then return spring to car.
I guess all up this is a entire Saturday afternoon. But heaps and heaps cheaper than coil overs. Which will take even longer to install.
OK, pulled the coils, but both ends were flattened. Cutting one full coil looked to me like it would only take an inch off the ride height. Thinking maybe the un-flattened coil would flex more when it seated in the lower A-arm, I trusted the advice, cut the one coil, put it back together and got exactly one inch of drop when it was back together. WTF? Did I mis-understand, am I supposed to cut the flat coil AND one additional coil to get 2"? I'm down from 29.75" to 28.75", was looking for 27.5" or so.
The only consolation is that instead of three hours a side (nothing taken apart in 48 years apparently), I should be able to do each side in an hour now that everything's broken free and cleaned up.
Also, if I cut a partial coil, I assume I still seat the top and let the bottom end fall wherever it ends up? I ground and wire-brushed the cut end so it wouldn't be a wear point.
Did you drive the car around a bit before measuring?
That occurred to me, crappy weather since I finished. I did roll it back and forth in the garage to let the tires settle before measuring. I'll drive it tomorrow. I did read numerous comments that said the same thing, one coil = 2". We'll see....
Cut exactly one coil off front springs. Will still fit in the pockets perfectly. Will drop approximately 2 inches. If that's to much you can purchase nylon coil spring spacers of different thicknesses cheaply. They fit under the coil spring. Of course if it was cut correctly. thus dial in the precise ride height you want for a fraction of the cost of coilovers.
I also have a 77. Same type of mods. One full coil sits really nice.
Nylon? I thought they were rubber.
Last edited by TKX 5-SPEED C3; Oct 23, 2025 at 03:20 PM.
Just took a nice drive around the backroads of Maine, sunny, 58F, roads dried up from yesterday's rain. When I got back the front end dropped another 1/2", so I have 18.25" to top of wheel well, down from 19.75". It actually looks ok. I have the 8" drop kit for the rear and some new bushings, I'll drop the rear end 1.5" and post before and after pics. Ultimately, I might like it a little lower, but I'll wait until spring and see what I think then.
Best C3 lowering option
