Should I cut a coil off a #550 spring?

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Apr 11, 2003 | 10:11 AM

#21

Scooter70

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From: The Motor City

Re: Should I cut a coil off a #550 spring? (Corzvette69)

Corey,
How much did you cut off? 1/2? 3/4? I'm at about 29" right now and I'd like to get to 27 or so. The front end of my car is pretty light compared to some....small block, no power steering, no power brakes, no A/C.

Apr 11, 2003 | 01:47 PM

#22

BSeery

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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."

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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13

Re: Should I cut a coil off a #550 spring? (1bad69)

Quote:

i'd heat it over cutting it..

NO !

Heating the spring steel changes the properties of the metal and a: ruins the spring rate and b: can cause it to break and colapse while driving.

And if you cut a coil, use a cut off wheel and not a torch. A torch takes too long and heats the metal too much.

Apr 11, 2003 | 01:50 PM

#23

BSeery

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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."

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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13

Re: Should I cut a coil off a #550 spring? (Scooter70)

Quote:

I have the VBP 460's in the front. I cut about 1 and 1/4 coil. I have SBC with air, power steering and all options. However I do have aluminum heads, intake and water pump. Right now I have a fender height at about 26 - 26.25 inches. It's just a bit too low for street driving. I would shoot for 26.5 as the lowest.

Apr 11, 2003 | 05:04 PM

#24

Corz

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From: Middletown Connecticut

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Re: Should I cut a coil off a #550 spring? (BSeery)

Quote:

I cut off 1 coil. and I'm at 27.75" up front. small block, power steering, iron heads yanked my ac out :thumbs:

Apr 11, 2003 | 05:39 PM

#25

Jughead

Senior Member since 1492

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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...

St. Jude Donor '09

Re: Should I cut a coil off a #550 spring? (BSeery)

Quote:

I Right now I have a fender height at about 26 - 26.25 inches. It's just a bit too low for street driving. I would shoot for 26.5 as the lowest.

:iagree: I'm at 26.5 inches now and occassionally scrape the rear exhaust clamp next to the differential. Here's a pic right after I cut. It's settled a little more now though.

Apr 11, 2003 | 06:00 PM

#26

Corey_68

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From: Republic of Texas

Re: Should I cut a coil off a #550 spring? (1970 Stingray)

I just came back from the shop. The car sits at 28 1/4 from ground to lip. The is with NONE og the following: radiator (aluminum), no water in the rad, no oil, carb, shocks, and hood. You think with the parts about it would drop another 1/2-1 in?? :confused:

[Modified by Corey 68, 6:15 PM 4/11/2003]

Apr 11, 2003 | 07:10 PM

#27

no_radio

Drifting

Joined: Jun 2000

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Re: Should I cut a coil off a #550 spring? (Corey 68)

It will definitely drop at least 1/2". The rad and hood alone are pretty heavy aluminum or fiberglass, but still heavy. I would recommend re-assembling the car and putting a few miles on it. I just put 550# coils in my '74 (SB, aluminum heads, intake, and water pump with no PS, PB or AC). It has only been driven about 10-15 miles but appears to have settled a little already. Still a tad too high for my tastes but I will be waiting for 100 miles or so before I do something else. Coil springs do settle.
Jeff

Apr 12, 2003 | 10:05 AM

#28

Ybnormal

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Joined: Nov 2001

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From: Huntsville AL

Re: Should I cut a coil off a #550 spring? (Corey 68)

Not sure about the #550 springs, but the #460 when I cut one coil off was just right on my 81 350. Here is a link to before and after pics. www.angelfire.com/al/swhite7/temp.html

YBNormal...drive a VETTE :cool:

[Modified by Ybnormal, 3:07 PM 4/12/2003]