Question about front coils
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
Question about front coils
If you cut the coil to lower the ride height. I take it you cut the coil from the top of the spring. Can you cut half a coil or do you have to cut a full coil.
Can you cut a quarter coil?
Thanks
Can you cut a quarter coil?
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
When I cut mine I did it from the bottom. The cup is more conducive to the spring end that is now now flattened with the coil above it.
I also cut a full coil and got a 1.25" drop. It really depends on the year.
I have seen a lot of guys mention cutting more or less than a full coil and it always seems to work out. I found my coils fit back in their stock location perfectly with an exact coil cut out. I think the spring ends would be sitting oddly when done in different increments.
Sorry I don't have more definitive answers.
I also cut a full coil and got a 1.25" drop. It really depends on the year.
I have seen a lot of guys mention cutting more or less than a full coil and it always seems to work out. I found my coils fit back in their stock location perfectly with an exact coil cut out. I think the spring ends would be sitting oddly when done in different increments.
Sorry I don't have more definitive answers.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
I just got VBP 460's. I loweed the car but it is too low. I need to get it up a little. (no pun intended) I think I need to cut about 1.5 turns of the coil to get the height I want. Just wasn't sure if you can cut half a turn of a coil.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Cutting coils is going to lower your front end further.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
I have VBP 460's in there I had a spring company cut the coil and height was better. Second time they did it they cut a half of coil but now to low. I think if I would of gone 1/4 I would of been perfect but I was told they had to cut half a coil at a time. I think I'll start at one coil and then small amounts after that to get it right. As dad said, if you want it done right do it yourself.
Just wasn't sure if you cut the top or bottom.
Just wasn't sure if you cut the top or bottom.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 582
Likes: 0
From: Ashaway RI
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 5
From: Upstate South Carolina
I believe that 460s should give stock ride height for a small block. I put 460s in my car last winter and the height was right within the stock window. When I first put the springs in the car was way too high. However, after vigorously bouncing and rolling the car back and forth, the car settled to just right.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Dallas Texas
VBP also sells rubber donuts that fit into the pockets to raise the ride height. I would just buy a set of 550,s they are cheap at 70/80 bucks and that should give a lowered ride and can be cut a 1/4 at a time to lower it more....Good luck 
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I believe that 460s should give stock ride height for a small block. I put 460s in my car last winter and the height was right within the stock window. When I first put the springs in the car was way too high. However, after vigorously bouncing and rolling the car back and forth, the car settled to just right.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 5
From: Upstate South Carolina
I've seen those comments and I was concerned that I might get a high ride height when I installed the new springs in my car. I believe the high ride height often comes from incorrect installation, either tightening down the a arm bushing retainers before the car has settled or not getting the springs set correctly in the spring pocket. Also, a car with new springs will probably ride an inch or two higher than it did with the old tired spings. Mine was lower than stock prior to the new springs. Many people prefer a lower than stock ride height and may consider stock too high after replacing the springs.