Cut front springs or replace them?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Cut front springs or replace them?
I have the car up on jack stands to drill the holes in the exhaust pipes for the O2 sensor. While I'm at it I thought I'd attempt to shorten the front coil springs to lower the front end about an inch. I have 10 year old, unknown brand springs front and rear and way too high a ride height. I was thinking of cutting half a coil off the front springs to start. I read that the cut should be made at the top/upper end of the spring, correct? Will I be able to tell one end from the other when I get the springs out to be sure they were installed correctly? Is there a difference, a top and bottom to these springs? If I replace them with new is there any guarantee that I'll get the ride height I want without cutting the new ones? It's a 69 stock L-36.
Thanks.
Warren
Thanks.
Warren
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
I have the car up on jack stands to drill the holes in the exhaust pipes for the O2 sensor. While I'm at it I thought I'd attempt to shorten the front coil springs to lower the front end about an inch. I have 10 year old, unknown brand springs front and rear and way too high a ride height. I was thinking of cutting half a coil off the front springs to start. I read that the cut should be made at the top/upper end of the spring, correct? Will I be able to tell one end from the other when I get the springs out to be sure they were installed correctly? Is there a difference, a top and bottom to these springs? If I replace them with new is there any guarantee that I'll get the ride height I want without cutting the new ones? It's a 69 stock L-36.
Thanks.
Warren
Thanks.
Warren
Are you going to weld the O2 bung sensor in the exhaust pipe?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 957
Likes: 6
From: Burlington wisconsin
Jimbo
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
Before:
After:
I cut my springs. I was at 29" road to top highest point of the wheel opening, now I'm at about 26.5.
I cut 1.25 coils off. IF you undertake this project, I highly suggest you cut a half coil, put the spring back in, put everything back together, drive it around the block, then see where it comes down too. I cut 'n replaced 3 times with one side, then just cut off the same amount in one shot for the other side.
Good luck in whatever road you choose.
After:
I cut my springs. I was at 29" road to top highest point of the wheel opening, now I'm at about 26.5.
I cut 1.25 coils off. IF you undertake this project, I highly suggest you cut a half coil, put the spring back in, put everything back together, drive it around the block, then see where it comes down too. I cut 'n replaced 3 times with one side, then just cut off the same amount in one shot for the other side.
Good luck in whatever road you choose.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Oxnard/San Luis Obispo CA
cutting the springs has always been the cheap way to lower the car. If you have the money you will be much better off replacing them, and you will be much happier with how it rides too. Usually when you cut the springs it makes the ride pretty rough.
Also, stupid question, but why do you need an O2 sensor in a 69?
Also, stupid question, but why do you need an O2 sensor in a 69?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 5
From: Paducah Ky
I don't mean to hijack and this is very related. I have the 550 springs which supposedly lower the car and are stiffer so the car wont bottom? Is it true that the stiffer springs are good for say autocross but for drag racing a softer and longer spring provides more lift at launch and provides more traction?
When you cut a spring you have less coils and the spring rate will increase. If I cut a 550 to compensate for lost weight on the front of the car will the result be a very harsh spring? I just wonder if for average street use where the car needs to be lowered (especially if weight is removed from the front of the car) if it wouldnt be better to cut a stock spring? Maybe this would be a good compromise for street handling and occasional drag race.
When you cut a spring you have less coils and the spring rate will increase. If I cut a 550 to compensate for lost weight on the front of the car will the result be a very harsh spring? I just wonder if for average street use where the car needs to be lowered (especially if weight is removed from the front of the car) if it wouldnt be better to cut a stock spring? Maybe this would be a good compromise for street handling and occasional drag race.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Thanks for the replys. I'm going to cut the springs I have and if I don't like the results I'm going to call VB&P. The O2 sensor is from the Innovate LM-1 tuning kit and I'm installing it in the first straight section of pipe about 6 inches from the end of the cast iron manifold. Lots of room there to drill the hole and lots of clearance for the sensor.
Joe Rags,
My car sits like yours used to. Mine needs to get lower. Nice job.
Warren
Joe Rags,
My car sits like yours used to. Mine needs to get lower. Nice job.
Warren
Last edited by 69monzaredbigblock; Dec 13, 2006 at 04:14 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
The springs were cheap from VB&P, I ordered a new pair so I knew what the lbs. were, the old springs can loose some of their tensity so I had a balanced pair, I ordered the 460's and cut them just twice measuring them after the install, I'm at 26.4" on the front. I have a old post on the whole cutting/install process and measurements if anyone is interested...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
After pulling mine I decided to get new 460 springs, still had to cut 1 coil off the new ones to get the right height I liked but I have alot of alum stuff. Think my sig is with those old springs, am a touch lower than that now.
Old springs
Now after all that being said I plan on cutting a coil out of the front springs in my Formula as long as the orig look better than what my vette's did.
Old springs
Now after all that being said I plan on cutting a coil out of the front springs in my Formula as long as the orig look better than what my vette's did.
Last edited by Fevre; Dec 13, 2006 at 10:37 PM.
