Lowering the front end
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,540
Likes: 1
From: Pineville Kentucky
CI 6-8-9 Veteran
Lowering the front end
Since I am replacing cast heads and intake with aluminum soon, I am expecting an already too high front end to be EVEN higher. Can I just cut a segment of the coil spring? If so, how much would you start with?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,540
Likes: 1
From: Pineville Kentucky
CI 6-8-9 Veteran
Originally Posted by Corz
Before, stock sb/ with ac springs (after yanking the ac)
after, with VBP 460lb springs with 1 1/8th coil cut
after, with VBP 460lb springs with 1 1/8th coil cut
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 1
From: Savannah Ga
Can I just cut a segment of the coil spring? If so, how much would you start with?
Please don't do this.It's what ricers do when they can't afford to do it right.Get a good set of coils that will lower your car and still retain the ride quality.
Please don't do this.It's what ricers do when they can't afford to do it right.Get a good set of coils that will lower your car and still retain the ride quality.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by copter
Can I just cut a segment of the coil spring? If so, how much would you start with?
Please don't do this.It's what ricers do when they can't afford to do it right.Get a good set of coils that will lower your car and still retain the ride quality.
Please don't do this.It's what ricers do when they can't afford to do it right.Get a good set of coils that will lower your car and still retain the ride quality.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Originally Posted by copter
Please don't do this.It's what ricers do when they can't afford to do it right.
...redvetracr
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 38
From: Cedar,BC
Nothing wrong with cutting off half or a coil on a spring,just remember it also makes the spring stiffer as well as shorter.However,if you can spring for it,getting the proper rate and length spring is the best way to do it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,958
Likes: 0
From: Middletown Connecticut
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Originally Posted by copter
Please don't do this.It's what ricers do when they can't afford to do it right.Get a good set of coils that will lower your car and still retain the ride quality.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,922
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by redvetracr
Gee, according to YOU that would make me a ricer!! Hey Mr. Rocket scientist...what do you think racers (NO, NOT RICERS...RACERS) did before VB&P ?? They cut their springs....Plenty of guys here have cut their springs...me included!!
...redvetracr
...redvetracr
Tell 'em Howard. Noobies.. 
1/2 coil sounds like a good place to start Brent. Here's a pic of the stock SB spring on the left and a new shorter replacement spring on the right. Cut from the bottom of the spring where the coil spacing is larger.
But in this picture I think they're upside down.
I still have my "cut" SB springs in and my "stance," ride & height hasn't changed much if at all.
Last edited by Jughead; Jan 28, 2006 at 07:19 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,540
Likes: 1
From: Pineville Kentucky
CI 6-8-9 Veteran
Originally Posted by Jughead
Tell 'em Howard. Noobies.. 1/2 coil sounds like a good place to start Brent. Here's a pic of the stock SB spring on the left and a new shorter replacement spring on the right. Cut from the bottom of the spring where the coil spacing is larger.
But in this picture I think they're upside down.
I still have my "cut" SB springs in and my "stance," ride & height hasn't changed much if at all.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
The 550 lbs springs are only $79 (and VBP offers a discount). I would rather spend that money than removing/cutting/reinstalling springs twice... chances that you get it right with the first cut are not very high... ask me how I know...
I do not recommend the 460 lbs springs, here's what my '79 looked like after I installed these (yes, the springs were seated correctly and the suspension settled):
Here's the same car with 550 lbs springs (nothing cut off the spring):
I do not recommend the 460 lbs springs, here's what my '79 looked like after I installed these (yes, the springs were seated correctly and the suspension settled):
Here's the same car with 550 lbs springs (nothing cut off the spring):
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 1
From: Savannah Ga
Gee,didn't mean to hit a sore spot with you guys,but I still stand on what I said.Do it right the first time.And yes I work in the Aerospace industry so I'm a lot closer to a rocket scientist than you think.I know what the racers did back in the day but we have other ways of doing this now.Those days are gone. Does this mean ya'all aren't going to talk to me anymore.
Last edited by copter; Jan 28, 2006 at 02:56 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 842
Likes: 3
From: Woodruff SC
St. Jude Donor '10
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
The 550 lbs springs are only $79 (and VBP offers a discount). I would rather spend that money than removing/cutting/reinstalling springs twice... chances that you get it right with the first cut are not very high... ask me how I know...
I do not recommend the 460 lbs springs, here's what my '79 looked like after I installed these (yes, the springs were seated correctly and the suspension settled):
Here's the same car with 550 lbs springs (nothing cut off the spring):
I do not recommend the 460 lbs springs, here's what my '79 looked like after I installed these (yes, the springs were seated correctly and the suspension settled):
Here's the same car with 550 lbs springs (nothing cut off the spring):
So, how much did it change the ride to go from stock to 460's to 550's? I like the look of the 550's but concerned about the ride?
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,434
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by DP77Vette
So, how much did it change the ride to go from stock to 460's to 550's? I like the look of the 550's but concerned about the ride?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by DP77Vette
So, how much did it change the ride to go from stock to 460's to 550's? I like the look of the 550's but concerned about the ride?
Thanks!
Thanks!
I drove the car home after I bought it, that was the only time I drove with the stock suspension.
After I installed the 460s the ride was firm but not uncomfortable, I rebuilt the entire suspension so I cannot compare before/after.
There is not a huge difference between the 460s and 550s, except the ride height
the 550s require better shocks (Bilstein or Koni) but it's really not too stiff.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
just cut them until you get it right...you get good at it after a few times..i can take the wheels off, take both springs out, cut, put the springs back in, and both wheels on in less than a hour.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,958
Likes: 0
From: Middletown Connecticut
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Originally Posted by Redshark6974
just cut them until you get it right...you get good at it after a few times..i can take the wheels off, take both springs out, cut, put the springs back in, and both wheels on in less than a hour.
